Which of the following is an example of physical control in IPM?

Handpicking pests is a classic example of physical control within Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This approach involves directly removing pests from plants or areas where they are causing harm. Physical control methods focus on managing pest populations through non-chemical means, which can include manual removal, barriers, and traps.

In contrast, applying insecticides is a chemical control method that utilizes substances to kill or repel pests rather than managing them through physical actions. Using pheromone traps, while effective, is a monitoring and trapping method that doesn't involve direct removal by hand, nor does it constitute physical control in the strictest sense. Introducing natural predators involves biological control, where living organisms are used to manage pest populations rather than directly engaging in physical removal. Each of these methods has its own distinct role within an overall IPM strategy, but handpicking stands out as a direct, hands-on physical intervention.