Insect pest control can be classified into three main categories:

mechanical, physical, and cultural control. These methods do not involve

the use of chemical pesticides, making them more sustainable and
environmentally friendly. Here are some examples of each type of
control:

Mechanical Control: This method involves physically removing or killing

insects. Some examples of mechanical control include:

Handpicking: This involves manually removing insects from plants and

structures.

Trapping: Sticky traps or pheromone traps can be used to trap insects,

preventing them from breeding and spreading.

Vacuuming: Using a vacuum cleaner to suck up insects is an effective

way to remove them from indoor spaces.

Brushing: Brushing infested plants with a soft brush or cloth can help
remove insect eggs and small larvae, disrupting their life cycle and
reducing their numbers.

Mowing: Keeping lawns and grassy areas regularly mowed can help
reduce the habitat of certain insect pests.

Steam cleaning: Using steam to kill insect pests on indoor surfaces, such
as carpets and furniture, is an effective non-chemical control method.

Physical Control: This method involves creating physical barriers or

altering the environment to prevent insect infestations. Examples
include:
 Using screens on windows and doors to prevent insects from
entering indoor spaces.

 Installing mesh or netting around gardens to keep insects out.

 Adjusting temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions to make

the environment less conducive to insect breeding.hysical Control:
 Mulching: Mulching around plants with organic materials like straw
or leaves can help reduce soil moisture, which can discourage certain
insect pests.
 Sticky barriers: Applying sticky substances like Tanglefoot around
tree trunks or plant stems can prevent crawling insects like ants and
caterpillars from reaching their targets.

 Reflective surfaces: Installing reflective surfaces like aluminum foil

around plants can confuse flying insects and prevent them from
locating their targets.

Cultural Control: This method involves using cultural practices to reduce

the likelihood of insect infestations. Examples include:

Crop rotation: This involves planting different crops in a field each year
to prevent insects from adapting to one particular crop.

Sanitation: Keeping outdoor and indoor spaces clean and free of debris
can help prevent insect infestations.

Companion planting: Certain plants can be grown together to repel

insects or attract natural predators.

Interplanting: Planting different crops together can help repel or attract

certain insect pests. For example, planting garlic or onions around
tomatoes can help repel aphids.

Soil management: Rototilling the soil or turning over compost piles can
help expose insect pests to natural predators like birds and ground
beetles.

Water management: Reducing standing water around outdoor spaces

can help prevent mosquito breeding, while using drip irrigation instead
of overhead watering can reduce moisture-loving pests like slugs.