What kind of control involves pathogens and predators in pest management?

Natural controls in pest management refer to the use of organisms that occur in nature, such as pathogens, predators, and parasites, to manage pest populations. This method relies on the ecological relationships between pests and their natural enemies, allowing for a balanced ecosystem where pest numbers are kept in check without the use of synthetic chemicals.

Utilizing these natural controls can effectively reduce pest populations while minimizing the negative impacts on non-target species and the environment. For instance, introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs can help control aphid populations, or employing fungal pathogens can target insect pests specifically, benefiting agricultural practices sustainably.

In contrast, other types of controls such as applied controls typically rely on human intervention implementing specific tactics, cultural controls focus on modifying farming practices and habitat to reduce pest emergence, and chemical controls involve the application of pesticides to directly eliminate pests. Each of these methods contributes to pest management but does not specifically emphasize the utilization of natural ecosystems and native species as natural controls do.