Starbucks Food Safety Practice Exam

Which strategy is included in Integrated Pest Management to prevent pest issues?

1. Exterminate them

2. Build them out

3. Use strong chemicals

4. Ignore the problem

The correct answer is: Build them out

Building pests out is a key strategy in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that focuses on preventing pest access and establishing barriers. This proactive approach involves making structural modifications to remove potential entry points for pests, such as sealing cracks, repairing screens, and ensuring proper maintenance of facilities. By addressing the physical environment in which pests might thrive, it significantly reduces the likelihood of infestations occurring in the first place. In contrast, other strategies such as exterminating pests or using strong chemicals are reactive and often only address the symptoms of a pest problem rather than preventing it. Ignoring the problem altogether does not mitigate risks and can lead to larger issues in the long run. Thus, building pests out encompasses a comprehensive and preventive tactic that aligns with the principles of Integrated Pest Management.