If you’ve ever battled a pest that refuses to leave your home, you already know the value of effective pest control. Insect pests are difficult enough to manage in your home, so imagine trying to control pests across entire farms, warehouses or parks—without harming the environment.
This is exactly the challenge precision pest management aims to solve.
Precision pest management (PPM) is unlike traditional pest control methods, where pesticides are sprayed across large areas whether pests are there or not. This ‘area-wide treatment’ involves the use of long-lasting residual chemicals to kill insect pests that travel through a treated area. More strategic and targeted, PPM applies pesticides exactly where and when they’re needed. It’s safer, greener and a whole lot more effective.
Let’s break down the details.
Modern technology has fundamentally changed how experts find and manage pests. Today, AI-powered tools allow farmers and pest specialists to pinpoint where pests are actually causing problems, without compromising healthy crops or ecosystems.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
In tandem, these tools create a highly detailed, real-time pest map. Think of it like an interactive map to spot illegal activity (but with pests instead of burglars or robbers) with continuous communication and feedback.
The University of Florida’s Precision Agriculture Engineering team uses multispectral drones to scan plant health and create NDVI maps that detect early pest or nutrient stress—often before issues are visible.
Alongside smart monitoring tools, pest control teams also tap into a technology that many of us use every day: GPS.
GPS (Global Positioning System) is used to find precise problem zones, not just blanket-spray fields. GPS-powered tools allow professionals to map exact infestation patterns and then tie each pesticide treatment to precise coordinates.
This brings real-time efficiency: less downtime driving around, less chemicals wasted and more targeted pest control.
Your hotspots are mapped. So, what happens next?
It’s time for targeted treatments. For this step, PPM specialists are using a range of smart technologies, including:
Feedback loops are processes that use data and technology to continuously monitor and improve pest control efforts. Unlike traditional ‘spray and walk away’ methods, PPM uses sensors and AI to constantly check results and fine-tune treatments. This is done with:
This real-time feedback allows for constant improvement in treatments and prevention.
The global precision pest management market is expected to grow by almost 17% by 2027, and North America is poised to be the largest region of implementation. An increasing demand in pesticide-free food and advancing technology is pushing PPM to replace traditional pest control methods.
Let’s recap some of this article’s key points:
Imagine being the person responsible for protecting an entire citrus grove from invasive pests, maneuvering drone technology and field robots. If this kind of work fascinates you, UF’s online entomology programs might just be your next step.
Whether your passion lies in urban pest control, sustainable agriculture or environmental science, you’ll find flexible, fully online options that fit your life — even if you’re already in an established career. There’s no GRE required, and you can start in the spring, summer or fall semester.
You’ll tap into the same innovations used by UF’s Precision Agriculture Engineering team, including developing real-world solutions with NDVI mapping, smart monitoring and biological controls.
Choose our 30-credit, non-thesis master’s degree in entomology with a specialization in landscape pest management or urban pest management. Or hone your skills with one of UF’s 15-credit online graduate certificates. All programs are led by UF’s world-renowned faculty and driven by real-world research.
If you’re ready to make an impact in smart technology and pest control, UF gives you the tools and credibility to lead in the field. You’ll join a passionate community of innovators working on the front lines of smarter and safer pest control.
Learn more here. We’ll save you a (virtual) seat!
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