What is one potential disadvantage of relying solely on chemical pesticides?

Relying solely on chemical pesticides can lead to pesticide resistance over time, which is a significant disadvantage. This occurs when pests evolve and develop the ability to survive exposure to a particular chemical. Over time, with repeated use of the same pesticide, the susceptible pests are eliminated, leaving behind individuals that possess resistance. This can lead to a scenario where the pesticide becomes less effective or even ineffective, necessitating the use of stronger chemicals or different pest control methods that can have additional environmental or health impacts. Thus, the cycle of resistance can create a continuous and escalating problem for pest management in agricultural and residential settings.

The other choices reflect advantages or misconceptions about pesticide use. The idea that they immediately eliminate all pests is misleading, as while pesticides can be effective, they don’t always result in complete eradication. Additionally, the claim that pesticides have no environmental impact is inaccurate, as they can affect non-target organisms and ecosystems. Finally, while ease of application is a benefit of chemical pesticides, this does not outweigh the long-term issues associated with resistance.