What does biologic control utilize to manage pests?

Biologic control refers to the management of pests through the utilization of living organisms. This approach often involves natural predators, parasites, or pathogens that attack or inhibit the target pest species. For example, introducing ladybugs to control aphid populations is a classic method of biologic control. The primary strength of biologic control lies in its ability to promote ecosystem balance, reducing the need for synthetic chemicals and minimizing harmful side effects on the environment.

The choice of living organisms as a means of pest management distinguishes biologic control from other pest control methods, such as chemical methods, which involve synthetically produced pesticides that can have adverse effects on non-target species and human health. Similarly, mechanical methods and structural barriers focus on physical means of pest exclusion or removal, which do not involve the use of living organisms to achieve pest management.