biological control

noun

1

: the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)

2

: an agent used in biological control

Example Sentences

She practices biological control in her gardening.

She uses biological controls in her garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Department of Environment and Science told CNN on Friday that she has been sent to the Queensland Museum for further analysis. Native to South America and mainland Central America, cane toads were first introduced to Australia in 1935 as a biological control against cane beetles. —Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 20 Jan. 2023

Wildlife managers are currently planning on introducing a type of biological control. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2022

First consider cultural, then physical and biological controls. —oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2022

But what if the ship or colony were even more alive, Menezes wonders, full of biosensors and biological control systems? —Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2015

Even with an effective biological control, however, the DNR takes extra precautions — aerial spraying — in high-use areas. —Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2022

Numerous conservation groups and government agencies also registered comments on the proposal expressing their difficulties and expenses in controlling tallow tree and how the use of a biological control agent could be beneficial. —Dennis Pillion | [e-mail], al, 8 May 2022

Fisher and LeBrun speculate that pest control agencies might be able to use this microsporidian as a kind of biological control agent, because the pathogen doesn’t ravage native ant species. —Matt Simon, Wired, 30 Mar. 2022

Biocontrol - pest management involving live biological control agents is an increasingly important part of the tool box for farmers in general. —Steven Savage, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

biological control

noun

: attack upon pests by interference with their ecology (as by introduction of parasites)

Medical Definition

biological control

noun

1

: the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)

2

: an agent (such as pyrethrum) used in biological control