What does biological control refer to?

Biological control is defined as managing pests through the use of their natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, or pathogens. This approach leverages the naturally occurring relationships within the ecosystem to regulate pest populations, thus promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly method of pest management. By introducing or enhancing these natural enemies, the pest population can be controlled without relying solely on synthetic chemical pesticides, which can have negative impacts on non-target species, the environment, and human health.

The effectiveness of biological control lies in its ability to utilize the intricate balance of nature, fostering a more resilient ecosystem that can maintain pest levels at acceptable thresholds over time. For instance, ladybugs may be introduced to control aphids in a garden, providing an ongoing solution that can reduce dependency on chemicals.

In contrast, the use of chemical pesticides targets the pests directly, and while it can provide immediate results, it often does not offer long-term solutions and can lead to issues such as resistance and harm to beneficial organisms. Transforming pests into beneficial organisms and physical removal do not align with the standard definition of biological control, which is fundamentally about leveraging existing ecological relationships rather than altering or removing organisms outright.