Which statement would best define suppression in pest management?

• A. Eliminating all pests from the area
• B. Reducing pest numbers to allow natural enemies to control them
• C. Preventing pests from establishing
• D. Containing pests within an area

Answer: (B)

Suppression means lowering pest populations to a level where natural enemies can keep them in check, rather than trying to wipe out every individual. The idea is to reduce damage to an acceptable level and let biological control and other natural factors handle the rest. That’s why reducing numbers so natural predators, parasitoids, and pathogens can do the work best captures the concept of suppression. In practice, this approach often involves conserving beneficial insects, using cultural or targeted controls, and applying selective interventions that don’t disrupt the natural enemies. By contrast, trying to eliminate all pests describes eradication, preventing establishment is about exclusion, and containing pests is containment.