What is an example of mechanical control in pest management?

Mechanical control in pest management refers to methods that physically remove or manage pests without the use of chemicals or biological agents. Using a rake or weed harvester to physically remove plants exemplifies this approach, as it directly involves the use of tools to eliminate unwanted vegetation or pests. This method effectively reduces pest populations through manual intervention, rather than relying on chemical treatments or biological controls.

In contrast, using chemical pesticides targets pests through chemicals, which represents a chemical control method rather than a mechanical one. Installing a barrier to keep pests out can be seen as a preventive strategy, which is generally categorized under cultural control methods. Releasing natural predators involves biological control, where organisms are used to control pest populations rather than mechanical means. Therefore, the choice of physically removing pests with tools aligns perfectly with the concept of mechanical control.