Which mechanical control method involves the use of devices to capture or kill pests?

The correct answer is trapping, as this method specifically utilizes devices designed to capture or eliminate pests effectively. Trapping involves the use of various equipment, such as snap traps, glue boards, and live traps, which physically capture pests without the application of chemicals or toxic substances. This method can be particularly useful for managing specific pest populations in a targeted manner, thereby minimizing unintended harm to non-target species and the environment.

In contrast, cultural practices involve changes in farming or gardening techniques aimed at improving plant health and reducing pest infestations, but they do not directly capture or kill pests. Soil tillage refers to the cultivation of soil to control pest populations or prepare the ground for planting, but it is not a direct method of capturing pests. Habitat modification entails altering the environment to make it less conducive to pest survival—this can help reduce pest populations but does not involve the mechanical capture or killing of pests. Thus, trapping uniquely stands out as a mechanical control method focused explicitly on pest management through physical capture.