What type of pest control is exemplified by pulling weeds and trapping gophers?

Mechanical control refers to the use of physical methods to manage pest populations and includes practices such as trapping, pulling, or removing pests directly. Pulling weeds is a classic example of mechanical control, as it involves physically removing unwanted plants from the environment. Similarly, trapping gophers involves the use of traps to capture these pests, thereby directly reducing their numbers without the use of chemicals.

This method is particularly beneficial because it can be targeted and specific, often resulting in fewer side effects on non-target species and the surrounding environment compared to chemical methods. Mechanical control methods are typically labor-intensive and may require repeated efforts, but they are invaluable for integrated pest management strategies where environmental and health considerations are paramount.