Which pest management approach focuses on using living organisms to control pests?

The focus on using living organisms to control pests is essential to the concept of biological control. This approach involves the intentional introduction or conservation of natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, to manage pest populations effectively. Biological control is grounded in ecological principles whereby these beneficial organisms can help keep pest numbers at levels that do not cause significant harm to crops or plants.

In contrast, other pest management strategies, such as chemical control, involve the application of pesticides to eliminate pests, while cultural control emphasizes altering farming practices to make the environment less favorable for pest species. Physical control relies on methods that physically prevent pest access or remove them from the environment, such as barriers or traps. Each of these methods has its place in integrated pest management (IPM), but biological control uniquely leverages the natural relationships within ecosystems to achieve pest management.