What are the three main goals of pest control?

• A. Removal, identification, assessment
• B. Prevention, suppression, eradication
• C. Inspection, prevention, isolation
• D. Identification, exclusion, monitoring

Answer: (B)

The three main goals of pest control—prevention, suppression, and eradication—address the lifecycle and impact of pests effectively.

Prevention focuses on implementing practices that deter pests from infesting an area in the first place. This could include measures like sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and employing barriers to block pests.

Suppression aims to reduce pest populations when they do occur, minimizing their impact on the environment or on human health. This may involve using pesticides in a targeted manner or introducing natural predators to the ecosystem.

Eradication is the ultimate goal when dealing with a serious pest issue, striving to completely eliminate the pest from a specific area. This is often critical when the pest poses significant threats to crops, public health, or the environment.

While the other options present components of pest management, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive approach needed in pest control as effectively as prevention, suppression, and eradication do. Those options may address specific techniques or strategies but do not encompass the overarching goals of pest management practices.