Which pest management method uses mesh cloth to exclude birds?

• A. Exclusion
• B. Cultivation
• C. Sanitation
• D. Host resistance

Answer: (A)

Exclusion is the pest management approach that uses physical barriers to keep pests out. Using mesh cloth to cover crops or storage areas creates a barrier birds cannot pass, directly preventing them from feeding or roosting there. This method is pesticide-free and provides an immediate, targeted way to protect the crop from bird damage.

Cultivation isn’t about keeping birds out; it’s about soil or crop management to disrupt pest life cycles. Sanitation reduces attractants by removing residues or debris, which helps, but it doesn’t physically block birds from accessing the area. Host resistance relies on plant genetics to deter pests, which isn’t the same as using a barrier to exclude birds.