ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Non-pesticide management

Non-pesticide management means finding other ways to solve problems with insects and other pests besides using chemicals. Sometimes these chemicals can be bad for plants, animals, and people, so it's important to use them only when we really need to.

One way we can control pests without using pesticides is by introducing other animals or insects that eat them as food. For example, ladybugs eat aphids, which are small insects that damage plants. This way, we're not hurting the environment with harmful chemicals, but still getting rid of the pest problem.

Another way is by using physical barriers or traps to keep pests away. This could be things like nets or screens around plants, or sticky traps that catch insects on contact.

We can also use different methods to prevent pests from coming in the first place. This includes keeping our homes and gardens clean and tidy, making sure there are no sources of food or water for pests to live off of, and using natural repellents like essential oils that many insects don't like.

So, using non-pesticide management means finding different ways to control pests that don't involve using harmful chemicals. By being creative and thinking outside the box, we can still solve problems with pests while also protecting the environment and staying safe.