Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other food products to reduce damage from a mold is an example of which type of pest management method?

Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other food products to reduce damage from a mold is an example of which type of pest management method?

• A. Biological control
• B. Chemical control
• C. Physical/environmental modification
• D. Regulatory control

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is changing the environment to slow or prevent pest growth. Lowering humidity directly alters the storage conditions that mold needs to thrive. Mold growth depends on adequate moisture, so reducing moisture makes the environment unfavorable and helps protect stored grains and foods without using chemicals or introducing living organisms. This is a physical/environmental modification, since the approach is about altering the surroundings to deter pests. It’s not biological control, which uses natural enemies; not chemical control, which relies on pesticides or fumigants; and not regulatory control, which involves laws and compliance measures.

The main idea here is changing the environment to slow or prevent pest growth. Lowering humidity directly alters the storage conditions that mold needs to thrive. Mold growth depends on adequate moisture, so reducing moisture makes the environment unfavorable and helps protect stored grains and foods without using chemicals or introducing living organisms. This is a physical/environmental modification, since the approach is about altering the surroundings to deter pests. It’s not biological control, which uses natural enemies; not chemical control, which relies on pesticides or fumigants; and not regulatory control, which involves laws and compliance measures.