Which pest control strategy involves natural predators?

Biological control is a pest management strategy that relies on the use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pest populations. This approach aims to restore the ecological balance by utilizing organisms that can naturally regulate pest numbers without the harmful side effects associated with chemical interventions. For example, introducing ladybugs to control aphid populations in a garden exemplifies biological control, where the natural predator helps reduce the pest population effectively.

In contrast, chemical control involves the application of pesticides, cultural control focuses on altering farming practices to reduce pest incidence, and mechanical control employs physical barriers or traps to manage pests. Each of these methods has its merits and applications, but biological control specifically capitalizes on the relationships between species within an ecosystem, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly option.