Final answer:
Pest control firms switched to bait traps as part of an integrated pest management strategy to effectively control pests, minimize environmental impact, and reduce costs. These strategic decisions involve biological control tools and targeted pesticide use to ensure sustainability and efficacy in pest control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pest control firms have adopted bait traps as a strategy for effective pest management. This approach aligns with the principles of reducing environmental disruption and targeting pests more precisely. Bait traps, along with other biological control methods like introducing natural predators or using selective pesticides, have been shown to control insect populations efficiently. Managing resistance, protecting the environment, and ultimately lowering costs are some of the key benefits of these ecologically based control measures.
Additionally, the use of biological control tools demonstrates a commitment to reducing non-target impacts and enhancing the sustainability of pest control methods. The targeted application of pesticides, as in the case of applying them on specific parts of a cotton plant's stem, exemplifies the strategic use of chemical interventions to protect natural enemies of pests like the bollworm. Ultimately, these advanced and strategic decisions are critical for long-term pest control efficacy and environmental health.