Which type of pest management relies on using natural predators or parasites?

Biological control is focused on using natural predators or parasites to manage pest populations. This approach harnesses the ecological relationships between organisms, where certain species can naturally reduce the numbers of pest species. For example, introducing ladybugs to control aphid populations exemplifies biological control in action.

This method is advantageous because it can lead to a more sustainable pest management strategy, minimizing the reliance on synthetic chemicals, which can have adverse environmental impacts and affect non-target organisms.

In contrast, the other management types, such as chemical control, primarily rely on pesticides to directly eliminate pests, while integrated pest management incorporates a combination of methods, including chemical, cultural, and biological strategies. Mechanical control, on the other hand, involves physical actions to remove pests, such as traps or barriers. Each of these alternatives serves different purposes but does not rely on the natural predatory or parasitic relationships that characterize biological control.