Which method is primarily used to prevent pests from accessing certain areas?

The method that is primarily used to prevent pests from accessing certain areas is barriers. Barriers act as physical obstacles that impede pests from entering or moving into specific locations. This technique is highly effective because it stops pests before they can establish themselves in an area, reducing the risk of infestations.

Common examples of barriers include fences, screens, sealed entry points, and even specific landscaping practices that deter pests from crossing a certain threshold. By using barriers, pest management strategies can proactively safeguard environments, making it a key method in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

In contrast, trapping is a method that deals with capturing pests after they have already entered an area. Shooting is a more direct approach typically used for larger pests and is not a preventive method. Sanitation focuses on removing food and shelter in order to reduce pest populations but does not prevent their initial access. Thus, barriers stand out as the most effective means of preventing pests from entering designated areas.