An alternative methodology to determine profit maximizing economic threshol
ds is developed and illustrated. An optimization problem based on the main
biological and economic relations involved in determining a profit maximizi
ng economic threshold is first advanced. From it, a more manageable model o
f 2 nonsimultaneous reduced-from equations is derived, which represents a s
impler but conceptually and statistically sound alternative. The model reco
gnizes that yields and pest control costs are a function of the economic th
reshold used. Higher (less strict) economic thresholds can result in lower
yields and, therefore, a lower gross income from the sale of the product, b
ut could also be less costly to maintain. The highest possible profits will
be obtained by using the economic threshold that results in a maximum diff
erence between gross income and pest control cost functions.