Which would be considered a preventive pest management strategy?

Planting weed- and disease-free seed on an athletic field is considered a preventive pest management strategy because it aims to establish an initial healthy environment that reduces the likelihood of pest problems occurring in the first place. By using high-quality, disease-free seeds, the risk of introducing new pests and diseases is minimized, which is fundamental to maintaining the overall health of the plants and the ecosystem. This proactive approach is aligned with the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), which emphasizes prevention and the establishment of healthy growing conditions.

In contrast, other strategies such as releasing natural enemies focus on biological control after a pest issue has been identified. Removing a pest as a response to a public health concern is a reactive measure, addressing a problem that has already manifested. Broadly applying pesticides can lead to resistance issues and does not necessarily provide a long-term solution, as it does not address potential future pest outbreaks in a preventive manner.