Which of the following pest management practices helps to reduce reliance on chemicals?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective approach designed to minimize reliance on chemical controls for pest management. This practice combines various strategies to manage pest populations in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. Key elements of IPM include careful monitoring of pest populations, the use of biological controls (such as beneficial insects), cultural practices (like crop rotation), and mechanical controls (such as traps). By implementing these diverse tactics, IPM reduces the need for chemical pesticides, thereby lowering the risks to both human health and the environment.

Regular disinfecting, while useful for controlling certain pests, is more about sanitation and does not encompass the broader strategies that IPM provides. On the other hand, using more pesticides typically increases chemical reliance rather than reducing it, and gas treatment methods, depending on their nature, can also fall into heavy chemical usage. Thus, IPM stands out as the more holistic and sustainable pest management method that effectively reduces dependence on chemical options.