The properties of modern electronic computers and their programming languages, for the first time enable pest populations and the effects of control strategies on them to be modeled with considerable realism. The development of optimal control strategies under given constraints is then possible through trial-and-error simulation or by the use of techniques such as dynamic programming.

At this time 2 approaches to pest-control simulation suggest themselves. On the one hand detailed models of population processes, primarily aimed at a high degree of realism and generality, are required which can be used for training and research in the general theory of pest control. On the other hand models are needed for specific situations which combine predictiveness with as high degree of realism as possible and are of immediate practical value. A very simple model has been built for a hypothetical anopheline population, and simulation studies of various control strategies have been carried out as a demonstration of this approach.