What occurs during pest resurgence?

During pest resurgence, pests return in increased numbers and often with greater vigor following the reduction or elimination of their natural predators. This phenomenon occurs because the removal of these controlling agents allows the pest population that survives to reproduce unimpeded, leading to a rapid increase in their numbers. When predators are eliminated, the balance of the ecosystem is disrupted, favoring the survival and proliferation of the pest species.

In the context of pest management, understanding resurgence is crucial because it highlights the importance of integrated pest management strategies that aim to maintain predator populations while controlling pests, rather than relying solely on chemical control methods. This approach can help prevent the rapid return of pests after treatments are applied.