Georgia Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam

In integrated pest management, the economic injury level is the level at which the cost of treatment equals the:

1. Benefit of tools used

2. Yield loss from the pest

3. Profit generated by the crop

4. Economic benefit of the treatments

The correct answer is: Economic benefit of the treatments

In integrated pest management (IPM), the economic injury level (EIL) is a critical concept used to determine the point at which the cost of pest control measures is equal to the economic benefit derived from those measures. This means that the EIL represents the threshold at which the losses caused by a pest are just offset by the gains achieved from implementing control measures. When treatment costs exceed the economic benefit of the treatments, it becomes financially unwise to apply those controls. Therefore, understanding the EIL helps pest managers to make informed decisions by balancing the cost of intervention against the anticipated gains in crop yield or quality. This concept links closely to the efficiency of pest management strategies, advocating for an economically sustainable approach to pest control. The focus on economic benefit rather than sheer yield loss or tool costs reflects a comprehensive evaluation of the total impact of pest management on agricultural economics.