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

• A. Chemical
• B. Biological
• C. Physical/Environmental
• D. Genetic

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is controlling pests by changing the storage environment rather than applying products or using organisms. Lowering humidity directly changes the conditions mold needs to grow, making the storage space less favorable for mold growth and thus reducing damage to stored grains and food. This is a physical/Environmental approach because it involves manipulating the physical conditions—like reducing moisture, improving ventilation, and maintaining drier storage—rather than using chemicals, introducing biological control agents, or altering the grain’s genetics. Chemical methods would involve pesticides or fungicides, biological methods use living organisms to control pests, and genetic methods involve modifying the pest or host. Humidity control targets the environment to prevent pest development.