Which mosquito control technique uses natural predators?

The technique that uses natural predators is biological control. This method relies on the use of living organisms, such as predators, parasites, or pathogens, to manage mosquito populations. For instance, certain fish species feed on mosquito larvae, helping to reduce their numbers in aquatic environments. This approach is considered environmentally friendly as it minimizes the use of chemical pesticides and promotes ecological balance.

Biological control is effective because it targets specific stages of the mosquito life cycle, significantly lowering their population without harming non-target organisms. This method of control also has the potential for long-term effectiveness as the biological agents can establish themselves in the ecosystem.

In contrast, cultural practices focus on altering the environment to make it less conducive to mosquito breeding, mechanical control involves physical methods to trap or remove mosquitoes, and chemical control entails the use of insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes or larvae. Each of these other methods has its own benefits and considerations, but biological control stands out due to its use of nature's own predators to maintain mosquito populations.