What does economic injury level refer to?

Economic injury level (EIL) is a crucial concept in pest management that refers to the specific point at which the cost of pest control measures exactly matches the economic losses resulting from the pest. This means that when the cumulative costs of controlling a pest exceed the financial losses caused by that pest, it is no longer economically viable to manage them. Understanding this concept helps pesticide applicators and farmers determine the threshold at which intervention is warranted to prevent net losses to their crops or property.

In practice, knowing the EIL enables pest managers to make informed decisions about when the costs associated with controlling a pest become justified. If pest populations are below this level, the economic rationale suggests that the cost of control may not be warranted, thus preventing unnecessary pesticide application and promoting more sustainable pest management practices.