What is a significant drawback of pesticide use?

Pesticide use carries a significant drawback in that it can lead to resistance in pest populations. Over time and with repeated application, pests can develop biological mechanisms that allow them to survive exposure to specific pesticides. This phenomenon typically results from natural selection, where the weaker individuals perish, while those with resistant traits reproduce, leading to a population that is increasingly resistant to those pesticides. As a result, this can create a cycle where the effectiveness of a pesticide diminishes, prompting the need for the development and application of stronger or different chemical agents, which may have their own environmental or health implications.

In contrast, options that state all pesticides are always effective, have no environmental impact, or cannot be applied correctly are inaccuracies that do not reflect the complexities of pesticide use in agriculture and pest management. Pesticides can vary widely in effectiveness, depend greatly on the specific situation and application, and may have varying levels of environmental consequences depending on their formulation and the method of application.