Which of the following is NOT a method of pest control included in Integrated Pest Management?

In Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a holistic approach is taken to manage pests in a way that minimizes risks to human health and the environment. This includes utilizing a variety of methods that work together synergistically. Chemical pesticides are often a component of IPM but relying exclusively on them does not align with the principles of IPM.

The focus of IPM is to combine multiple strategies for more effective and sustainable pest control. This includes genetic control agents, which involve using plants that have been genetically engineered to resist pests, cultural practices such as crop rotation or sanitation methods to reduce pest habitats, and biological controls, which utilize natural predators or parasites to manage pest populations. Each of these strategies is aimed at reducing reliance solely on chemicals and fostering a balanced ecosystem.

Therefore, the statement that exclusively using chemical pesticides is not part of Integrated Pest Management is accurate, as IPM advocates for a diverse toolkit of pest management strategies rather than a single method. The effectiveness of IPM lies in its comprehensive approach that integrates various pest control techniques while considering environmental impacts and promoting long-term pest management solutions.