What are the three foundational practices of resistance management?

The three foundational practices of resistance management focus on strategies that help prevent or mitigate the development of resistance in pests to pest control methods, especially pesticides.

Rotation of pesticides involves alternating between different classes of pesticides that have different modes of action. This approach hinders pests' ability to develop resistance because they are not consistently exposed to the same chemical, which might otherwise allow them to adapt over time.

The use of multiple modes of action integrates various chemical methods that affect the target pest in different ways. This diversity makes it more difficult for pests to survive since a single change in their biology will not protect them against all treatments.

Non-chemical measures encompass a range of practices such as cultural controls, biological controls, and mechanical methods. These practices reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides and can eliminate or suppress pest populations through environmental or biological means, further minimizing the chance of resistance developing.

This combination strengthens pest management programs by making them more sustainable, effective, and less reliant on any single method, which can lead to resistance issues.