Which of the following is the last step in the pest management cycle?

The last step in the pest management cycle is evaluation. This step is crucial as it involves assessing the effectiveness of the control measures that have been implemented. Evaluating the results allows pest management professionals to determine if the pests have been successfully controlled and if any adjustments need to be made in future pest management plans.

Through evaluation, professionals can collect data on pest activity and the results of treatments, and this information is vital for improving methods and strategies going forward. It ensures that the pest management process is dynamic and responsive to the specific conditions and effectiveness of the interventions used.

In contrast, the other steps listed—recommendation/planning, treatment/implementation, and inspection/monitoring—are essential components of a successful pest management cycle that precede evaluation. Recommendation/planning focuses on assessing the situation and determining the best course of action; treatment/implementation is about applying the chosen pest control methods; and inspection/monitoring involves ongoing surveillance to identify pest activity and assess the need for methods to manage them. These steps lead up to and inform the evaluation, but they do not represent the final phase of the cycle.