Which method is NOT considered a form of mechanical control?

The choice of herbicide application is indeed not considered a form of mechanical control. Mechanical control methods involve physical actions to manage pest populations or unwanted plants (weeds). They generally include practices that require the use of physical equipment or manual labor to directly remove or manage pests.

Mowing is a common mechanical control for managing turf grass and plant heights, while pulling weeds by hand and using a hoe for weeding are also physical methods that involve direct interaction with the plants. Each of these actions physically manipulates the environment or the pests themselves to reduce their presence.

In contrast, herbicides are chemical substances used to manage unwanted plants and pests, and their application does not involve a physical removal method. Instead, herbicides work through chemical means, such as interfering with plant metabolism or growth. Thus, while herbicide application is an effective pest management strategy, it falls into the category of chemical control rather than mechanical control.