Luke has chosen a type of pest control known as mechanical. This is because he decided to use diatomaceous earth to control the insect infestation in his garden. Diatomaceous earth works by physically damaging the exoskeletons of insects, causing them to dehydrate and die. It is considered a mechanical method of pest control because it acts through a physical mechanism rather than through the use of chemicals or biological agents.
In contrast:
- Biological pest control involves using natural enemies of pests, like predators or parasites, to manage pest populations.
- Chemical pest control involves the use of pesticides or insecticides to kill or repel pests through chemical means.
- Cultural pest control involves practices such as crop rotation, planting resistant varieties, or adjusting planting times to reduce pest populations through non-chemical and non-biological methods.
