Which of the following describes a mechanical control method in pest management?

A mechanical control method in pest management involves the physical removal or management of pests and their habitat without the use of chemicals. Hand-pulling weeds exemplifies this approach, as it directly targets unwanted plants by uprooting them from the soil. This method is labor-intensive but effective for controlling weed populations in a specific area without introducing synthetic herbicides, thereby reducing chemical inputs and potential negative environmental impacts.

In contrast, using pesticides involves chemical treatments to eliminate pests, which falls under chemical control rather than mechanical. Applying fertilizer does not pertain to pest control; instead, it focuses on enhancing plant growth and nutrient availability. Using insect traps can be categorized as a mechanical approach, but it is a more specific method typically designed to capture insects rather than a broad category like hand-pulling weeds. Therefore, hand-pulling weeds is the best representation of a mechanical control method.