Pros and cons of different methods of pest management
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You are a farmer growing vegetable crops that depend on a very delicate species of bee for pollination. Your crops have been invaded by a destructive beetle that reproduces rapidly. In past years this type of beetle has destroyed up to 60 percent of your harvest. Which form of pest control would you choose to save your crops? Detail why you would choose this method. Is there any method you would not use? Explain your answer.
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Solution Summary
Pros and cons of different methods of pest management with regards to avoiding harm to pollinators.
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Pest control falls into three major categories: chemical, physical, and biological. Chemical is by far the most widely used, primarily because of its affordability. Chemical controls can be classified into three groups: inorganic, synthetic organic, and natural organic. Inorganic insecticides are desiccants, which use silica, or boric acid based, which are poison. Synthetic organic pesticides have been widely used since World War II. During the last 60 years synthetic organic insecticides have been made more pest specific, less poisonous and less environmentally damaging. But still they present a certain amount of risk to human and environmental health. Natural organic insecticides are generally less controversial, but they may not always do the job.
Note the different uses of the words "organic" here, which can be confusing. Organic farming is a component of sustainable living, and generally uses no pesticides at all. However when it does, these are "natural" such as neem oil. "Organic" is also a chemistry term, which is the way it is meant with the term "synthetic organic." This means simply that the chemical contains organic molecules, or is carbon-based.
Biological controls include using predators, ...
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