Pesticides are substances that control various types of pests, such as weeds, harmful insects, and disease-causing organisms like bacteria and fungi. Pesticides oftentimes are the most effective and efficient pest control tools available.
Resistance to pesticides is a serious, and growing, problem. Worldwide, more than 600 species of pests have developed some level of pesticide resistance. If resistance to a particular pesticide or “family” of pesticides evolves, these products can no longer be effectively used thereby reducing the options available for pest management. With few new pesticides (new modes of action) in the development pipeline, pesticide users must do all they can to extend the useful life of the products currently available.
This module will explain how resistance develops, the factors that contribute to it, and how it can be avoided or managed.