โ™ป๏ธap environmental science review

Pesticide treadmill

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

A cycle in which increasing pesticide doses are required over time to control pest populations because surviving pests develop genetic resistance, yet pest populations continue to grow despite higher application rates.

AP course connection

Topic 5.6: 5.6 Pest Control Methods

Unit 5

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