Biological Control
Definition
Biological control is a method of pest management that uses natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control the population of pests. It involves introducing these organisms into an ecosystem to reduce the number of pests without using harmful chemicals.
Analogy
Think of biological control as sending in an army of good guys to fight off the bad guys. Just like how superheroes protect a city from villains, natural predators and parasites are introduced to protect crops from harmful pests.
Related terms
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM is a holistic approach to pest management that combines various methods, including biological control, chemical control, and cultural practices, to minimize the use of pesticides while effectively managing pests.
Predators: Predators are organisms that hunt and consume other organisms for food. In biological control, predators are introduced into an ecosystem to prey on pests and help regulate their populations.
Parasites: Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism (the host) and derive nutrients at the expense of the host. In biological control, certain parasites can be used to target specific pest species and reduce their numbers.
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