What is a common method for managing pests without chemicals?

A common method for managing pests without relying on chemicals involves utilizing cultural practices and natural predators. Cultural practices refer to a variety of agricultural techniques that can promote pest management, such as crop rotation, proper planting times, and maintaining healthy soil conditions. These practices help create an environment that supports plant health and can reduce pest infestations.

Additionally, introducing or encouraging natural predators of pests can further enhance pest control efforts. For example, ladybugs and lacewings can be effective at controlling aphid populations. This approach not only helps to manage pest populations but also supports biodiversity and reduces reliance on synthetic pesticides, which can have detrimental effects on the environment.

In contrast, options like burning crops and using synthetic fertilizers may create more issues than they solve. Burning can damage the soil structure and organism populations, while synthetic fertilizers primarily focus on plant nutrition rather than pest management. Plant rotation alone can be beneficial, but it's not as comprehensive without integrating other cultural practices and natural controls to effectively address pest issues.