Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators CORE Exam

What does suppression refer to in pest management?

1. Completely eliminating pests

2. Reducing pest populations to an acceptable level

3. Ignoring pest presence

4. Encouraging pest reproduction

The correct answer is: Reducing pest populations to an acceptable level

Suppression in pest management refers to reducing pest populations to an acceptable level rather than aiming for complete elimination. This approach recognizes that some pests can be tolerated in small numbers without causing significant harm to crops or the environment. Effective suppression takes into account economic thresholds and the benefits of maintaining a balanced ecosystem, where some level of pest presence is manageable. This strategy also aligns with integrated pest management (IPM) practices, which prioritize long-term pest control solutions while minimizing risks to human health and the environment. By focusing on suppression, pest managers can employ various techniques, such as biological control, cultural practices, and judicious pesticide use, that aim to lower pest numbers without the drawbacks associated with complete extermination. The other concepts included in the question—complete elimination, ignoring pest presence, and encouraging pest reproduction—do not accurately reflect the principles of effective pest management. Complete elimination may lead to unintended ecological consequences, ignoring pest presence can allow for pest populations to grow unchecked, and encouraging pest reproduction is counterproductive to management goals.