What defines mechanical control in pest management?

Mechanical control in pest management is defined by the implementation of physical methods to manage pest populations. This approach focuses on using tangible, often non-chemical techniques to directly reduce pest numbers or prevent their access to certain areas. Examples of mechanical control include traps, barriers, handpicking, and the physical removal of pests from the environment.

This method is particularly beneficial in that it can be environmentally friendly and often poses no risk to non-target organisms, such as beneficial insects or other wildlife. By utilizing physical measures, this approach can help maintain the balance of the ecosystem while effectively controlling pest populations.

The other options presented describe different pest management strategies. Biological agents (the first option) refer to the use of natural predators or pathogens to control pest populations, while the second option focuses on chemical methods, typically involving pesticides that can have varying impacts on the environment. The last option addresses the use of genetically modified organisms, which involves altering the genetic material of crops to improve resistance against pests, rather than physically dealing with the pests themselves.