What does "habitat" refer to in pest management?

In pest management, "habitat" refers to a location where a pest lives naturally. This encompasses the environmental conditions, resources, and ecosystems that support the life cycle of the pest, including shelter and breeding sites. Understanding a pest's habitat is crucial for effective pest management strategies, as it helps in assessing where pests are likely to thrive and how to control their populations. By identifying the habitats that pests prefer, pest control professionals can target their efforts more effectively, optimizing the use of control measures based on where the pests are most active and likely to reproduce.