Sealing cracks and crevices in buildings is an example of what type of mechanical control method?

Sealing cracks and crevices in buildings falls under the category of exclusion. This method aims to prevent pests from entering an environment by physically blocking their entry points. By sealing these potential entryways, you are effectively controlling pest populations by limiting their access to food, water, and shelter, which are crucial for their survival. Exclusion is a proactive approach in pest management that helps create a barrier between pests and the structures that humans inhabit, thereby reducing the likelihood of infestations.

The other options involve different strategies that do not focus on preventing entry in the same way. Trapping pertains to capturing existing pests but does not prevent new ones from entering. Sanitation involves eliminating food sources and habitats for pests, which is an important aspect but does not address sealing entry points. Monitoring refers to observing and assessing pest activity, which is important in understanding pest behavior and populations, yet it does not actively prevent pests from entering the space.