What defines pesticide resistance?

Pesticide resistance is defined as the ability of a pest to tolerate a pesticide that it previously could not withstand. This phenomenon occurs when a pest population undergoes genetic changes, allowing some individuals to survive exposure to a pesticide. Over time, these surviving pests reproduce, passing on their resistant traits to future generations. As a result, the effectiveness of the pesticide diminishes, leading to challenges in pest management.

This concept is critical for pest control strategies because resistance can develop quickly due to factors such as overuse of a particular pesticide or insufficient rotation of different control methods. Understanding resistance helps applicators make informed decisions about pesticide use and explore integrated pest management options that can minimize the risk of resistance.