How does lowering humidity in stored products assist in pest management?

Lowering humidity in stored products is a significant factor in pest management, particularly because it reduces mold growth. Mold thrives in moist environments, and a high humidity level can create ideal conditions for its development. When humidity is lowered, the chances of mold establishing itself in stored products diminish. This is crucial for protecting items that pests, such as food-infesting insects, are likely to harm.

Mold can attract various pests, providing them with a food source while also compromising the quality of the stored products. By controlling humidity and thereby inhibiting mold growth, the overall environment becomes less appealing to pests, which helps in maintaining the integrity and safety of stored goods.

While the other choices might seem relevant, they do not directly correlate with the foundational aspects of pest management as effectively as the reduction of mold growth does. For instance, enhancing pest reproduction is counterproductive to pest control, and while natural predators play a role in an ecosystem, they do not directly impact the immediate effectiveness of stored product management. Similarly, food quality may benefit from moisture control, but that is a secondary effect compared to the primary focus on pest management through the reduction of mold.