Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Pest Control Pest controllers are organisms or agents whose aim is to control, reduce or eliminate pest populations that can harm crops, livestock or other ecosystems. This pest control approach aims to reduce losses caused by pest attacks without having to use chemical pesticides which can have a negative impact on the environment and human health. Pest control can come from various types of organisms, and are divided into two main categories: 1. Biological pest control: These are living organisms that naturally play a role in controlling pest populations. Examples include natural predators, parasitoids, and pathogens that attack plant pests. Natural predators such as predatory beetles, spiders and birds of prey can eat pests directly. Meanwhile, parasitoids such as parasitic wasps and parasitic flies will use pests as hosts to reproduce. Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi can also be used as pest control agents by selectively infecting and killing pests. 2. Plant-based pest control: This method involves using plants or plant genetic traits to control pest populations. For example, insect repellent plants that produce certain chemical compounds that certain pests don't like, or plants that are tolerant to certain pest attacks. Pest control is an important part of sustainable agricultural practices and healthy ecosystem management. A sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to pest control not only helps reduce the use of harmful chemical pesticides, but also maintains ecosystem balance and reduces negative impacts on human health and the environment. The goal of pest control is to reduce or control pest populations that can harm crops, livestock, or the ecosystem as a whole. This approach aims to protect agricultural products, reduce losses caused by pest attacks, and maintain the general health and productivity of the ecosystem. Some specific goals of pest control include: 1. Reducing agricultural losses: One of the main objectives of pest control is to protect cultivated plants from damage caused by pest attacks. By controlling pest populations, agricultural yields can be maintained or even increased, thereby supporting food security. 2. Reducing dependence on chemical pesticides: Effective pest control can help reduce the use of chemical pesticides that have the potential to harm the environment and human health. This is in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture which prioritizes the use of more environmentally friendly pest control methods. 3. Maintaining ecosystem balance: By selectively controlling pest populations, pest control helps maintain ecosystem balance and prevent disturbances that could harm other organisms in the food chain or trophic network. 4. Improve the health of crops and livestock: Through effective pest control, crops and livestock can be maintained in a healthy and productive condition, without being disturbed by excessive pest attacks. 5. Encouraging sustainable agriculture : Sustainable pest control helps create a more sustainable agricultural system, which not only produces stable yields but also maintains environmental balance and human health. Thus, the main goal of pest control is to achieve a balance between crop protection, environmental sustainability, and human well-being, all of which are priorities in modern agricultural practices. In conclusion, it is important to remember that pest control is a crucial aspect of sustainable agricultural practices and healthy ecosystem management. By reducing harmful pest populations, pest control helps protect agricultural yields, increase crop productivity, and maintain overall ecosystem balance. In addition, effective pest control also contributes to reducing the use of chemical pesticides that are harmful to the environment and human health. Thus, a more environmentally friendly approach to pest control supports sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. In conclusion, pest control is an important step in maintaining food security, maintaining ecosystem balance, and supporting sustainable agriculture. Therefore, implementing appropriate pest control strategies is essential to achieve these goals effectively and sustainably.