Which pest control strategy focuses on preventing pest access to structures?

The strategy that focuses on preventing pest access to structures is centered around the use of prevention and mechanical barriers. This approach aims to create physical obstacles that pests cannot cross, deterring them from entering buildings and other structures. Examples of such barriers include sealing cracks and crevices, installing screens on windows and vents, and using weather stripping on doors. By effectively preventing pests from gaining access, this strategy serves as a first line of defense against infestations, reducing the need for more invasive control measures later on.

While biological control involves introducing natural predators or parasites to manage pest populations, and chemical control refers to the use of pesticides to kill pests, neither of these approaches directly prevents pest access. Resource management focuses on modifying practices to reduce pest habitat or availability of food, but it does not specifically emphasize physical barriers to entry. Therefore, the strategy that effectively interrupts the ingress of pests into structures is prevention through mechanical barriers.