Which of the following is NOT one of the six applied controls of pest management?

The correct choice is based on the classification of pest management strategies. The four main approaches in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are biological, cultural, mechanical (or physical), and chemical controls. Each of these strategies plays a specific role in managing pest populations effectively while minimizing environmental impact.

Biological control involves using natural predators or pathogens to control pest populations. Cultural control refers to practices that modify the environment to reduce pest establishments, such as crop rotation or changes in planting dates. Mechanical or physical control includes tactics like traps or barriers to prevent pest access or reduce their populations.

Financial control, however, is not classified as a direct method of pest management. While budgeting and economic considerations are essential for effective pest control programs, they do not fit into the primary categories of applied controls within the IPM framework. Instead, financial aspects might influence decision-making but do not serve as a direct control method for managing pests.

Therefore, the focus on the established categories demonstrates that financial control is outside the scope of the six applied controls of pest management.