Which method would best exemplify physical pest management?

Using traps to capture pests is the best exemplification of physical pest management because this approach involves directly manipulating the environment to manage pest populations without the use of chemical treatments or biological control agents. Physical pest management tactics, including trapping, rely on physical barriers, removal, or capture to prevent pests from causing damage. Traps can be particularly effective as they target specific pests and can be monitored and adjusted as needed.

In contrast, applying insecticides involves chemical intervention, which does not fall under physical methods. Releasing natural predators also represents a biological management strategy rather than a physical one, as it depends on the introduction of living organisms to control pest populations. Planting pest-resistant crops is a cultural practice aimed at reducing pest incidence but does not constitute a direct physical method of pest control. Thus, the use of traps aligns perfectly with the definition of physical pest management.