In the context of pest control, what does "resistance" refer to?

Resistance in pest control specifically refers to pests' ability to survive and reproduce despite exposure to pesticides. This phenomenon occurs when pests develop genetic changes that enable them to withstand chemical treatments that would normally be fatal. Over time, as certain individuals in a population survive these exposures, they can pass their resistant traits on to their offspring, leading to a population that is increasingly difficult to control with the same pesticides.

This concept is crucial for pest management because if resistance develops, it can lead to widespread failures of pest control methods, necessitating the development of new strategies or chemicals, which can be costly and time-consuming. Understanding resistance helps pest control professionals strategize their approaches to minimize its development and maintain effective pest management over time.