What is one reason for implementing integrated pest management (IPM)?

Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) is primarily aimed at minimizing economic, health, and environmental risks associated with pest control. This approach is holistic and considers a variety of strategies—cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical—to manage pest populations in a sustainable way.

By prioritizing the minimization of risks, IPM promotes the use of practices that not only target pest management effectively but also consider the broader implications such as the impact on human health, the ecosystem, and economic factors. This balanced approach seeks to control pests while reducing reliance on harmful pesticides, thereby fostering an environmentally sound strategy.

In contrast, the other options emphasize extremes that are not aligned with the principles of IPM. Eliminating all pests entirely is unrealistic and often leads to ecological imbalances. Focusing solely on chemical controls ignores the potential negative effects of pesticides on health and the environment. Likewise, relying exclusively on biological controls may not always be effective against all types of pests and can limit the flexibility that a well-rounded IPM strategy offers.