Answer :
Final answer:
The correct option is c) Implement a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical methods. The best way to ensure the effectiveness of an integrated pest management program is to implement a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical methods, using each in order of their environmental impact.
Explanation:
The best way to ensure an integrated pest management (IPM) program works is to implement a combination of methods, as highlighted in option (c). This integrated approach includes biological, cultural, and chemical controls. Biological control involves using natural predators or parasites of the pests, cultural control includes modifying farming practices to make the environment less hospitable to pests, and chemical control refers to the cautious use of pesticides as a last resort when other methods are insufficient. These methods are employed in order of their environmental impact, starting with the least impactful. By employing a multifaceted strategy, IPM reduces the reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides while managing pest populations effectively and minimizing unintended consequences to humans and the environment.
