Which of the following actions is an example of a preventive pest management approach?

• A. Releasing natural enemies to help reduce pest populations
• B. Planting weed and disease free sod
• C. Spraying pesticides heavily
• D. Ignoring pest signs

Answer: (B)

Preventive pest management is about stopping pests before they become a problem by removing conditions that invite them and by starting with clean, healthy starting materials. Planting weed- and disease-free sod fits this approach because it begins with material that has no pests or pathogens and minimal weed hosts. This reduces the chances of introducing pests or diseases into the lawn and lowers the environment’s suitability for future problems, taking a proactive stance rather than reacting after trouble starts.

Other options are more about dealing with pests after they appear or neglecting the issue. Releasing natural enemies can help control pests, but it’s typically a response to an existing problem, not a preventive step from the outset. Spraying pesticides heavily targets pests already present and can disrupt beneficial organisms, making it a remedial action rather than prevention. Ignoring pest signs permits problems to grow, which is the opposite of preventing pests in the first place.