Which example illustrates mechanical control?

Which example illustrates mechanical control?

• A. Release of natural enemies
• B. Quarantine
• C. Sanitation
• D. Traps

Answer: (D)

Mechanical control relies on physical means to reduce pest numbers—things that physically capture, trap, or exclude pests rather than using chemicals or living organisms. Traps fit this idea because they employ a device to catch pests, directly lowering their population without releasing predators or applying toxins. Sticky traps, snap traps, or pheromone traps are classic examples of this approach. The other options align with different control categories: releasing natural enemies is biological control, which uses living organisms to suppress pests; quarantine is a regulatory or movement-control measure to prevent pests from spreading; sanitation is a cultural practice that removes food sources or habitat for pests. While all are valid management tools, they do not depict mechanical control the way traps do.

Mechanical control relies on physical means to reduce pest numbers—things that physically capture, trap, or exclude pests rather than using chemicals or living organisms. Traps fit this idea because they employ a device to catch pests, directly lowering their population without releasing predators or applying toxins. Sticky traps, snap traps, or pheromone traps are classic examples of this approach.

The other options align with different control categories: releasing natural enemies is biological control, which uses living organisms to suppress pests; quarantine is a regulatory or movement-control measure to prevent pests from spreading; sanitation is a cultural practice that removes food sources or habitat for pests. While all are valid management tools, they do not depict mechanical control the way traps do.