What is meant by "chemical control" in pest management?

The term "chemical control" in pest management specifically refers to the use of pesticides to eliminate or deter pests. This approach involves the application of chemical substances designed to control pest populations through various mechanisms, such as disrupting their life cycles, causing toxicity, or repelling them from a given area. Chemical control is often a critical component of integrated pest management strategies, allowing for targeted interventions to effectively manage pest problems in various environments.

Other strategies, like the use of mechanical traps or biological agents, fall under different categories of pest management. Mechanical control focuses on physically removing pests, while biological control harnesses natural predators or diseases to manage pest populations. Environmental modifications aim to alter conditions to make them less conducive to pest infestations, which is yet another tactic within integrated pest management. However, these strategies do not involve the use of chemical substances, which is the defining characteristic of chemical control.