What is the main goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

The main goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to control pests effectively with minimal risk to people, property, and the environment. IPM encompasses a variety of strategies and practices designed to minimize the impact of pests while using approaches that are sustainable and economically viable. This includes employing biological controls, habitat manipulation, and the judicious use of pesticides only when necessary, rather than relying solely on chemical methods.

By focusing on effective pest control rather than the outright elimination of all pests, IPM recognizes that some pests may play beneficial roles in an ecosystem. It aims to manage pest populations at acceptable levels rather than pursuing a zero-tolerance approach that could lead to pesticide overuse with associated risks to human health and the environment. This balanced approach is central to the philosophy of IPM, making option B the most accurate representation of its overarching goal.