Which method involves using natural predators to control pest populations?

The method that involves using natural predators to control pest populations is known as biological control. This approach focuses on the idea of harnessing the ecosystem's natural balance by introducing or encouraging the presence of specific predators, parasites, or pathogens that target pest species. By doing so, it seeks to maintain pest populations at manageable levels without resorting to synthetic chemicals.

Biological control can include practices such as releasing ladybugs to manage aphid populations or deploying parasitic wasps that specifically target caterpillars. This method is often considered environmentally friendly since it minimizes chemical use and encourages biodiversity within ecosystems, which can lead to more sustainable agricultural practices.

In contrast, mechanical control involves physical methods to remove or block pests, genetic control focuses on altering organisms' genetic makeup to deter pests, and chemical control uses pesticides or herbicides to kill pests directly. Each of these methods has its own applications; however, biological control distinctly emphasizes the use of natural relationships between species to promote pest management.