What might indicate effective pesticide use?

A significant reduction in pest numbers and damage in treated areas demonstrates effective pesticide use because it indicates that the pesticide application has worked as intended. The primary goal of using pesticides is to manage pest populations to minimize their impact on crops, structures, or the environment. If a pesticide effectively reduces the number of pests and the damage they cause, it suggests that the treatment was successful in achieving its intended outcome.

This effectiveness can be measured by observing before-and-after conditions, where a noticeable decrease in pests and any corresponding damage validates that the pesticide application was timely and appropriate for the situation. Effective pesticide use not only addresses existing pest issues but also helps in maintaining the health of the ecosystem and crop production.

The other options reflect scenarios that do not align with effective pesticide use. For example, persistent pest populations indicate a lack of management, increased interest in pest growth suggests problems rather than solutions, and greater frequency of applications could indicate that the pesticide is ineffective or that resistance is developing in the pest population.