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

The type of control represented by pulling weeds and trapping gophers is mechanical control. This approach involves the physical removal of pests or weeds through methods that do not rely on chemicals. Mechanical control techniques can include hand-pulling, tilling, trapping, or using physical barriers to manage pest populations and weed growth.

Pulling weeds directly eliminates the plants from the environment, reducing competition for resources and preventing seed production. Similarly, trapping gophers removes these pests from the area, minimizing their damage to gardens and landscapes. This hands-on method is effective in managing unwanted species while often being safer for the environment compared to chemical alternatives.

The emphasis on tangible, physical actions in mechanical control makes it distinct from other types like natural control, which relies on natural predators to keep pest populations in check, and cultural control, which involves modifying practices to reduce pest establishment, growth, and reproduction. Physical control may sound similar, but it generally encompasses broader strategies including physical barriers rather than just removal techniques.