In IPM, chemical control is used as the last resort. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Depends on pest

Answer: (A)

In IPM, the aim is to manage pests with the least risk and lowest unnecessary intervention. That means prevention, monitoring, and the use of non-chemical methods (like sanitation, barriers, traps, biological control, and cultural practices) come first. Only when pest levels reach a level where damage would be unacceptable do we consider interventions, and among those, chemical controls are chosen carefully and used as selectively as possible. Because pesticides carry risks to non-target organisms, human health, and the environment—and can lead to resistance if overused—they are reserved as a last resort after other options have been considered or tried. So the statement that chemical control is used as the last resort is true.