In IPM for homes and businesses, which statement best describes the roles of sanitation and exclusion?

• A. Sanitation reduces food and water sources, while exclusion stops pest entry by sealing cracks and gaps.
• B. Sanitation and exclusion are optional steps that have little impact on pest control.
• C. Exclusion is mainly about cleaning surfaces; sanitation is about applying pesticides.
• D. Sanitation refers to trapping pests; exclusion means removing pests with chemicals.

Answer: (A)

In IPM, preventing pest problems starts with reducing what attracts them and blocking their access. Sanitation means removing food, water, and shelter that pests need—keep foods in sealed containers, clean up crumbs and spills, fix leaks, manage trash, and reduce clutter. Exclusion means preventing pests from entering by sealing cracks and gaps, installing door sweeps and screens, and maintaining openings around utilities and vents. Together, they lower pest pressure and reduce the need for pesticides. The other statements misstate their roles: sanitation and exclusion aren’t optional or minor; sanitation isn’t about applying pesticides, and exclusion isn’t just about cleaning surfaces.