Which of the following is an example of a mechanical/physical pest control method?

Mechanical or physical pest control methods involve the use of physical barriers, tools, or techniques to prevent pests from causing harm. Fly swatters are a prime example of this type of control, as they are simple devices that physically eliminate flying insects like flies by swatting them.

This method relies on direct interaction with the pest, which is a hallmark of mechanical control. It does not involve chemicals or biological agents, instead depending on the physical action of swatting to remove the pest from the environment.

In contrast, insect repellent sprays contain chemicals designed to deter pests from approaching or landing on treated surfaces, which categorizes them as chemical control methods. Biochemical pesticides involve substances derived from natural organisms that disrupt pest life cycles or behavior, rather than relying on physical action. Planting pest-repelling species utilizes botanical properties to naturally deter pests, but this is still a biological approach rather than a direct physical method.

Thus, fly swatters stand out as a clear and effective demonstration of mechanical pest control, making them the correct choice in this context.