Answer :
Final answer:
To deter pests, good cleaning practices and hygiene should be paired with cultural control methods, landscape complexity enhancement, and the promotion of biological control agents. Use of pesticides should be a last resort, favoring less toxic options and minimizing environmental impact.
Explanation:
To deny pests food and shelter through good cleaning practices, there are several strategies that can be used. The fundamental idea is to create an environment that is less hospitable to pests and more conducive to their natural enemies. Good hygiene and sanitation practices are essential, as they can prevent pests from accessing food sources. This includes cleaning up food spills, keeping foods sealed, and managing waste effectively. Furthermore, cultural control methods such as intercropping and using pest-resistant plant varieties can decrease the likelihood of pest infestations. By enhancing the landscape complexity and promoting natural predators through maintaining habitat like hedgerows and forests, the reliance on chemical interventions can be reduced. It is also suggested to use ecological methods as a primary strategy and pesticides only as a "last resort," ensuring their application minimizes environmental disruption.
Using plants such as neem and mint can protect crops and stored produce from pests, a traditional tactic that leverages plants' natural repellent properties. Additionally, encouraging biological control agents, including bacteria, viruses, predatory insects, and birds can effectively manage pest populations without the adverse effects associated with pesticides. It's also important to limit the use of pesticides and to choose less toxic chemicals when necessary, to reduce exposure and potential harm to people and the environment.