Which of the following is NOT a typical IPM tactic?

• A. Single-method chemical spraying
• B. Biological controls
• C. Cultural practices
• D. Monitoring pests

Answer: (A)

Integrated Pest Management relies on combining multiple strategies and using monitoring to guide actions rather than relying on a single method. The option that is not typical IPM is using only a chemical spray, because IPM treats pesticides as a last resort and integrates biological controls, cultural practices, and careful monitoring to decide when and what to apply. Biological controls use natural enemies to suppress pests; cultural practices like crop rotation, sanitation, and resistant varieties reduce pest pressure; and monitoring pests with thresholds tells you when intervention is actually needed. A single-method chemical approach tends to overlook these complementary tools, can lead to resistance, and may harm non-target organisms, making it inconsistent with IPM principles.