Monitoring pests at airports and ocean ports that pose a serious threat to public health or widespread damage is an example of which type of pest management method?

The correct answer highlights the importance of regulatory pest management methods, which are essential for protecting public health and mitigating widespread damage from pests, especially in high-stakes environments like airports and ocean ports. Regulatory methods involve the implementation of laws, regulations, and policies designed to control pest populations that may pose a threat to human health, agriculture, or the environment.

In this context, monitoring pests at airports and ocean ports is critical due to the potential transmission of invasive species or disease vectors that can have serious implications for both local and global ecosystems. Regulatory pest management includes inspections, quarantine measures, and other enforcement practices to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful pests.

The other methods—mechanical, biological, and cultural—each have their specific uses and applications in pest management. Mechanical methods may involve physical removal or traps, while biological methods utilize natural predators or pathogens to manage pest populations. Cultural practices include changes in farming or management techniques to make environments less conducive to pest infestations. However, while these methods are valuable, they do not specifically address the systematic oversight and intervention required to manage risks at transportation hubs, which is a primary function of regulatory pest management.