Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is an example of mechanical control?

1. Vacuum cleaning

2. Planting nematodes

3. Sealing cracks

4. Trap cropping

The correct answer is: Vacuum cleaning

Vacuum cleaning is an effective example of mechanical control in pest management because it physically removes pests and their debris directly from an environment. This method uses suction to capture pests, making it a straightforward and immediate way to reduce pest populations without introducing chemicals into the environment. Mechanical control methods generally involve physical barriers or tactics to prevent pests from causing damage or to remove them from an area. While sealing cracks and trap cropping may involve physical measures, they serve different purposes—sealing cracks is more about exclusion and preventing pest entry, while trap cropping aims at diverting pests away from the main crop. Planting nematodes, on the other hand, involves biological control rather than mechanical means. Therefore, vacuum cleaning stands out as a clear and direct mechanical approach to pest management.