Starbucks Food Safety Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the three strategies of Integrated Pest Management?

1. Build them out

2. Exterminate

3. Starve them

4. Destroy them

The correct answer is: Exterminate

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emphasizes preventive measures and balances various strategies to manage pest populations in an environmentally conscious manner. One of the key principles of IPM is the focus on long-term solutions rather than immediate extermination. In the context of the choices provided, extermination refers to a reactive approach that seeks to eliminate pests immediately, which goes against the core philosophy of IPM. Instead, IPM encourages techniques that aim to prevent pests from becoming a problem in the first place, as well as managing their populations through non-lethal means when possible. The strategies of constructing barriers (building them out), reducing food sources (starving them), and utilizing controlled methods to manage pest populations (destroying them in targeted ways) are all in line with IPM principles, focusing on the balance of ecosystem and sustainable practices. These strategies aim for long-term pest management rather than a quick fix that can lead to resistance, further infestations, or environmental harm.