Which statement about biological control methods is true?

• A. Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended practice
• B. Biological control relies solely on chemical pesticides
• C. Biological control is ineffective in most environments
• D. Natural enemies should always be removed to reduce pest pressure

Answer: (A)

Biological control relies on natural enemies—predators, parasitoids, and pathogens—to keep pest populations in check. Modifying the environment to support these beneficial organisms is a recommended practice because it helps them survive, reproduce, and find pests, boosting their impact without adding chemical inputs. Ways to do this include planting flowering strips for nectar, preserving hedgerows or refuges, using selective pesticides that spare beneficials, and reducing practices that disrupt beneficial communities. When natural enemies are supported, pest pressure can be reduced through ecological processes, fitting well with integrated pest management goals. The other statements miss important realities: biological control is not about relying solely on chemicals, it isn’t generally ineffective across environments, and natural enemies should be conserved rather than removed.