Georgia Pest Control Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The concept of increasing pest resistance over time is closely linked to the practices that impact the survival and reproduction of pests. Frequent pesticide application is particularly notable in this regard. When pesticides are used repeatedly and consistently, there can be a strong selection pressure on the pest populations. Some pests may possess or develop genetic resistance to the chemicals due to mutations or pre-existing resistance traits. Over successive generations, these resistant individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to an overall increase in the proportion of resistant pests in the population.

This resistance can escalate to a point where pests that have not been affected by the pesticide become more prevalent, rendering those pesticides less effective. Furthermore, this can create a cycle where increasingly higher doses or different chemical classes of pesticides are needed to manage the same pest populations, which can further exacerbate resistance issues. Meanwhile, methods like integrated pest management, crop rotation, or community-based approaches can instead promote biodiversity and natural predation, reducing the reliance on chemical controls and thereby minimizing the risks associated with pesticide resistance.