What does the term "curative" refer to in the context of pest management?

In the context of pest management, the term "curative" specifically refers to a treatment designed to eliminate pests after they have already infested a particular plant or area. This approach is often necessary when preventive measures have failed or were not utilized, and it focuses on addressing existing pest problems to restore the health of the affected plants.

By distinguishing curative treatments from preventive measures, it's clear that curative actions are taken in response to an issue, rather than in anticipation of one. Preventive treatments aim to keep pests from becoming a problem at all, while a curative approach acknowledges the presence of pests and seeks to rectify the situation.