Using natural enemies alone?

Sometimes, biological control is a “stand alone” method and does not have to be used in conjunction with other methods. This is especially true for effective natural enemies being used against pests in uncultivated areas, aquatic weeds, rangeland weeds, or arthropod pests of ornamental plants or in forests, all of these being ecologically stable habitats usually requiring lower levels of management. For example, a classical biological control introduction to combat a forest pest, if effective, would not need further attention unless the balance established was disturbed. If use of natural enemies is intended as a “stand alone” strategy, generally the focus is on only one pest, as would be typical of a classical biological control introduction. However, use of natural enemies as a “stand alone” strategy is only possible if the target pest is maintained below the economic injury level without other interventions.

In pest control, it is common that numerous controls are used against one pest or pests are part of a pest complex requiring numerous types of control. Then, the different types of control that are used must be melded so that they are used in harmony and not at cross purposes. When pesticides must be applied to combat one pest, they should be applied so that they do not kill natural enemies controlling other pests in the same system.