What is a common objective in pest control known as suppression?

In pest control, suppression refers specifically to the practice of reducing pest populations to a manageable level rather than eliminating them entirely. This approach recognizes that some level of pest presence is often inevitable and may even be acceptable depending on the context and the economic threshold for the specific situation. By suppressing pest populations, control measures can be implemented to minimize damage to crops or other resources without the need for complete eradication. This method is often more sustainable and practical, allowing natural pest control agents to function and ecosystems to maintain balance, while still protecting agricultural yields or other valuable assets.

This view contrasts with the idea of completely removing pests, which is often impractical or undesirable due to ecological impacts. Preventing pests from occurring entirely falls under a different pest management strategy focused on exclusion and avoidance rather than suppression. Finally, relying solely on pesticides does not encompass the broader strategies available in integrated pest management.