Which statement about biological control methods is true?

Which statement about biological control methods is true?

• A. Introducing exotic predators is illegal and discouraged.
• B. Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended practice in biological control.
• C. Biological control eliminates all pests entirely.
• D. Biological control relies only on chemical pesticides.

Answer: (B)

In biological control, the goal is to use living natural enemies to keep pest numbers in check, often as part of an integrated pest management approach. A key, practical move is modifying the environment to support these natural enemies. When you plant flowering strips or provide nectar and pollen sources, you give adult predators and parasitoids the resources they need to survive and reproduce. Conserving habitat—such as hedgerows or undisturbed refuges—reduces food stress and helps beneficials persist. Reducing or avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides that harm beneficial insects also lets natural enemies do their job more effectively. With these habitat and cultural adjustments, natural enemies can suppress pests over the long term, which is a cornerstone of recommended biological control practices.

Introducing exotic predators is not simply illegal and discouraged; such releases are tightly regulated and require careful risk assessment to avoid unintended ecological impacts. Biological control does not eliminate all pests entirely; it typically reduces pest populations to manageable levels rather than achieving complete eradication. And it does not rely only on chemical pesticides; the essence of biological control is using living organisms to manage pests, often in combination with other non-chemical strategies.