Answer :
Final answer:
Pest control entails the A. management or regulation of pests, primarily through chemical, biological, and cultural methods. Biological control, involving the use of natural predators or parasites, is an integral part of IPM, which aims to sustainably manage pests with minimal chemical use.
Explanation:
Pest control refers to the management or regulation of organisms deemed pests, typically because they cause damage to agriculture, the environment, or pose risks to public health. The primary methods of pest control include chemical, biological, and cultural strategies. Chemical pest control involves the use of pesticides, which can be effective but may lead to environmental damage and resistance in pests over time. Biological control, in contrast, utilizes natural predators or parasites of pests to manage pest populations and is considered a key component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a comprehensive approach that combines multiple methods to sustainably manage pests, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and minimizing potential harm to the environment and human health.
The use of organisms to control pests, which is described as biological control, is a critical aspect of IPM. It takes advantage of the natural relationships between pests and their enemies, introducing or enhancing the population of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage pest populations. This approach can lead to more sustainable agriculture and ecosystem health by maintaining a balance and reducing the need for chemicals.
