What does Integrated Pest Management (IPM) focus on?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) focuses on a comprehensive approach to controlling pest populations by denying them access to food, water, and shelter. This method emphasizes prevention and minimizes the reliance on chemical treatments by implementing various strategies that can include sanitation measures, structural repairs, maintenance practices, and monitoring to identify potential pest issues before they become problematic. By focusing on denying the basic needs of pests, IPM aims to create an environment that is less hospitable to them, thus reducing their presence and potential for infestation in food handling environments.

The other options suggest limited and ineffective strategies, such as prohibiting all chemicals without considering that some chemicals may be necessary for pest control in certain scenarios. Merely changing light sources addresses only a narrow aspect of pest management and does not tackle the broader factors that contribute to pest infestations. Using traps exclusively can be part of pest management but is not sufficient if the underlying environmental conditions that allow pests to thrive are not addressed. Overall, IPM is a holistic approach that integrates multiple strategies to effectively manage pest problems.