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

Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other food products to reduce damage from mold is an example of physical/environmental modification. This method involves altering the environment to make it less conducive for pests and pathogens to thrive. In this case, humidity levels directly affect mold growth; by reducing humidity, the conditions become unfavorable for mold development, thus protecting the stored grains.

Physical/environmental modification focuses on manipulating environmental factors—such as temperature, humidity, and light—to deter pests or prevent their proliferation. This approach emphasizes sustainability and often works in conjunction with other pest management strategies for more effective control.

The other methods mentioned, while all valuable pest management techniques, do not specifically pertain to the act of modifying environmental conditions for the purpose of reducing mold. Mechanical control involves physical barriers or devices to manage pests, cultural control pertains to agricultural practices that reduce pest establishment and reproduction, and biological control is centered around using natural predators or parasites to manage pest populations.