What is the benefit of using biological control?

Using biological control provides the significant benefit of being self-sustaining once established. This means that the natural predators or parasites introduced to manage pest populations can continue to survive and reproduce in the environment without the need for ongoing human intervention. This characteristic allows for a more sustainable approach to pest management, as it can lead to long-term control of pest populations while minimizing repeated applications, potential harm to non-target species, and negative environmental impacts associated with chemical pesticides.

In contrast, methods that guarantee total eradication of pests are often unrealistic and can lead to ecological imbalances, while the notion that biological control is always more cost-effective than chemical control does not universally hold true, as initial setup and ecosystem considerations can vary widely. Additionally, while biological control can reduce pest populations, it does not necessarily eliminate the food sources for pests, as these sources can still exist and affect the overall ecosystem. Hence, the self-sustaining nature of biological control is a key advantage that promotes ecological balance and longevity in pest management strategies.