Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

Biological controls in pest management consist of what?

1. Using traps to capture pests.

2. Utilizing chemicals to eliminate pests.

3. Employing other living organisms against pests.

4. Implementing physical barriers only.

The correct answer is: Employing other living organisms against pests.

Biological controls in pest management involve employing other living organisms to naturally regulate pest populations. This method utilizes predators, parasitoids, or pathogens that specifically target pest species, contributing to ecosystem balance. The concept is rooted in the idea that natural enemies can suppress pest populations, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and promoting a more sustainable approach to pest control. In biological control, specific organisms are introduced or encouraged in an environment to either directly feed on pests, parasitize them, or introduce diseases that will decrease their numbers. This strategy not only helps manage pest populations effectively but also minimizes environmental impact and the risks associated with chemical use. Other options, although they are common methods of pest management, do not fall under the umbrella of biological controls. For example, using traps to capture pests relies on physical means rather than biological interactions. Utilizing chemicals to eliminate pests represents a chemical control strategy, which contrasts with the principles of biological control. Implementing physical barriers offers a mechanical approach to keep pests away but does not involve the interaction of living organisms, and thus is not classified as biological control.