Suppressing a pest population involves:

Keeping the pest population below a certain level is the essence of pest suppression. This strategy aims to manage pest numbers in a way that minimizes their impact on crops, plants, or the environment without necessarily eliminating them entirely. Suppression acknowledges that some level of pest presence is often inevitable and can be sustained without causing significant harm to the ecosystem or agricultural productivity.

Effective pest management typically utilizes a combination of techniques, including cultural practices, biological control, and chemical application when necessary, to maintain pest populations within acceptable thresholds. This approach is more sustainable and practical in real-world settings compared to attempting total eradication, which can lead to ecological imbalances, resurgence of pest populations, or increased resistance to control measures.

In contrast, relying solely on natural predators or using chemical controls exclusively does not embody the comprehensive approach of suppression and may lead to gaps in pest management strategies. Therefore, maintaining pest populations below damaging levels is a balanced and pragmatic approach in integrated pest management practices.