Pest control

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/pest-control

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the historical agricultural practices?Soil cultivation and crop rotation were early, effective methods for pest mitigation
2. What is the integrated pest management (IPM) core principle?Combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical tactics, prioritizing monitoring and prevention
3. What is a pest and why do we need to control them?A pest is a species that hurts people or the environment, like by damaging crops or spreading disease. We control pests to keep food safe, protect our homes, and help the planet.
4. How did people first start keeping pests away?Ancient farmers used simple tricks like turning the soil and planting different crops each year to stop pests from growing too much.

Pest: An organism whose presence or activity causes economic damage or poses a threat to human health or the environment.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A comprehensive strategy that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to manage pests effectively and sustainably.
Biological Control: The use of natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens) to reduce pest populations.