What does 'resistance' mean in the context of pest control?

In the context of pest control, 'resistance' refers to the ability of pests to survive and reproduce despite exposure to pesticide chemicals that would normally be lethal to them. This occurs when pests undergo genetic changes that allow them to withstand the effects of a pesticide, rendering that chemical less effective over time.

When a population of pests develops resistance, it can lead to significant challenges in managing pest populations, as the standard methods of chemical control become less effective. This phenomenon emphasizes the importance of integrated pest management strategies, which may include rotating different pesticide classes, using alternative control methods, and applying pesticides judiciously to reduce the selection pressure that leads to resistance development.

The other options do not capture the essence of 'resistance' in pest management: attracting pests is unrelated to resistance, the frequency of application pertains to management practices but not to the concept of resistance itself, and reproduction speed, while relevant to population dynamics, does not convey the relationship between pests and pesticides that resistance encapsulates.