What condition defines a pest population as uncontrolled?

A pest population is defined as uncontrolled when it is causing excessive economic damage. This condition indicates that the population has surpassed a threshold that negatively impacts agricultural production, forestry, or other economic activities. Such economic damage can include reduced crop yields, increased costs of pest management, and overall financial losses to affected industries. This scenario suggests that the current management practices are insufficient to keep the pest population in check, allowing it to thrive and cause significant harm.

While an increasing or steady population can be concerning, it is the level of economic impact that ultimately categorizes a pest population as uncontrolled. Economic damage serves as a practical measure for stakeholders, such as farmers or land managers, to determine the urgency and need for intervention strategies.