Evaluating animal species in terms of their usefulness or uselessness to man has led to the emergence of the commonly employed concepts of "usefutl", "neutral" and "pest" spiecies. As a rule, animal populations that compete for the same benefits from the environment as humans and also species that pose a danger or nuisance, or cause diseases) have been branded "pests". The author suggests changing the concept of "pest" itself, eliminating the anthropocentric attitude in looking at natural biological systems, and perceving the positive roles of "pests" in nature.