Biological controls in IPM involve using what?

• A. Synthetic chemical pesticides
• B. Natural enemies such as predators or parasites
• C. Physical barriers
• D. Cultural practices

Answer: (B)

Biological controls in IPM rely on living organisms to reduce pest populations, especially the natural enemies that attack pests. These include predators that eat pests, and parasites or parasitoids that invest in pests as hosts, lowering their numbers over time. Using these agents fits IPM because it targets pests in a more selective way and often reduces the need for chemical pesticides, supporting longer-term suppression and environmental health. For example, releasing lady beetles to eat aphids or introducing parasitic wasps that attack caterpillars are classic cases of biological control. In contrast, synthetic chemical pesticides are broad-acting chemicals, physical barriers block pests through structures or materials, and cultural practices involve modifying farming methods—none of these rely on living pest-killing organisms.