What is an advantage of using habitat alteration in pest management?

The chosen answer highlights a key benefit of habitat alteration as a pest management strategy. By changing the environment to make it less hospitable for pests, their populations can be effectively reduced. This can involve modifications such as improving sanitation, removing standing water, or making physical changes to structures and landscapes that discourage pest infestations.

Habitat alteration targets the root causes of pest problems rather than simply addressing the symptoms. This approach can lead to long-term solutions and sustainability in pest management, reducing reliance on chemical treatments that could have adverse effects on health and the environment.

The other options present misconceptions about habitat alteration. Addressing only surface problems suggests a limited scope of treatment, while reliance on chemicals does not apply as habitat alteration encompasses physical changes rather than chemical interventions. Additionally, while some habitat alteration methods may require effort and planning, they are not necessarily expensive or time-consuming relative to the potential benefits they provide in pest population control.