What is the definition of mechanical pest control?

Mechanical pest control refers to the physical methods used to manage or remove pests from agricultural settings. This approach involves directly intervening by using tools, traps, or barriers to physically eliminate pests or to remove affected plant parts, thus preventing further damage to crops. It emphasizes hands-on techniques, such as handpicking insects, using insect vacuums, or employing physical barriers like nets to protect plants from pests.

This method is distinct from chemical pest control, which involves using pesticides to kill pests, biological control that involves using natural predators or parasites to manage pest populations, and ecological strategies that focus on sustaining an overall balance in the ecosystem. Mechanical control is considered a non-chemical approach, making it an environmentally friendly option when managing pests in agricultural practices.