North Carolina Pesticide Application Practice Test

What does pest suppression aim to achieve?

1. To completely eradicate pests

2. To prevent pest invasions

3. To reduce pest levels

4. To monitor pest activity

The correct answer is: To reduce pest levels

Pest suppression primarily aims to reduce the population levels of pests to a point where they no longer pose a significant threat to health, economic stability, or the environment. The idea is not to eliminate pests entirely but to manage their populations effectively so that they remain below a designated threshold that can cause damage or health risks. This approach recognizes that some pests are an integral part of the ecosystem and that complete eradication is often impractical and can lead to unintended consequences, such as disrupting the balance of other species. By focusing on reduction, pest suppression techniques, including integrated pest management (IPM), use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to control pest numbers while minimizing harm to beneficial organisms. In contrast, completely eradicating pests may be excessive and unrealistic, as some pests are resilient and can quickly repopulate once control measures are lifted. Preventing pest invasions is more about proactive measures, while monitoring pest activity is a component of pest management that aids in decision-making but doesn't define the ultimate goal of suppression.