Mechanical, physical and cultural
Mechanical, physical and cultural control of pests, weeds and diseases (pests) are an integral part of a successful Integrated Pest Management plan.
Cultural controls are practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival. For example, crop rotation - replacing a susceptible crop with a less susceptible crop; and changing irrigation practices - less watering can reduce root disease and weeds.
Mechanical and physical controls kill a pest directly or make the environment unsuitable for it. For example, traps - for pest animals and insects; mulches - for weed management; steam sterilisation - for soil disease management; or barriers - such as screens or fences to keep animals and insects out.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development:
- works with landholders and grower/community/biosecurity groups on control
- provides diagnostic services and information on prevention, management and treatment
- provides biosecurity measures to prevent introduction, and to eradicate or manage current pests
For advice on control methods search our website or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).
Filter by search
Filter by topic
- (-) Remove Chemicals filter Chemicals
- Herbicides (12) Apply Herbicides filter
- Crops (12) Apply Crops filter
- Grains (11) Apply Grains filter
- Diseases (10) Apply Diseases filter
- Fungi (9) Apply Fungi filter
- Grains research & development (7) Apply Grains research & development filter
- Weeds (7) Apply Weeds filter
- Crop diseases (7) Apply Crop diseases filter
- Wheat (6) Apply Wheat filter
- Fungicides (4) Apply Fungicides filter
- Pests (4) Apply Pests filter
- Barley (4) Apply Barley filter
- Pest animals (2) Apply Pest animals filter
- Pest mammals (2) Apply Pest mammals filter
- Pulses (2) Apply Pulses filter
- Nematodes (2) Apply Nematodes filter
- Lupins (2) Apply Lupins filter
- Declared plants (2) Apply Declared plants filter
- Baits & poisons (2) Apply Baits & poisons filter
- Crop weeds (2) Apply Crop weeds filter
- Livestock health & diseases (1) Apply Livestock health & diseases filter
- Oats (1) Apply Oats filter
- Viruses & virus-like (1) Apply Viruses & virus-like filter
- Weeds of National Significance (1) Apply Weeds of National Significance filter
- Livestock disease surveillance (1) Apply Livestock disease surveillance filter
- Pastures (1) Apply Pastures filter
- Canola (1) Apply Canola filter
- Biological control (1) Apply Biological control filter
- Bacteria (1) Apply Bacteria filter
- Biosecurity (1) Apply Biosecurity filter
- Biosecurity & quarantine (1) Apply Biosecurity & quarantine filter
- Grains Research & Development (1) Apply Grains Research & Development filter
- Livestock biosecurity (1) Apply Livestock biosecurity filter