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Abstract
Several authors have recognised pests as a negative common property resource. As a
common property issue, there are often benefits to be gained in regional coordination of
pest control activities. Entomologists have also recognised the potential benefits from
regional coordination programs and have encouraged areawide Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) strategies. However, despite the acknowledgment of differences
between individual and regional economic thresholds, studies have not been conducted
into the conditions that ensure or prevent collective action in pest control. This is
surprising given the vast amount of literature on collective action theory and practice
that has accumulated since the work of Mancur Olson. This paper discusses pest
control and eradication issues that are likely to generate differences between individual
and regional economic thresholds. Insituations where community action is likely to
bring positive benefits, the paper examines the likely success of community coordination
and possible hindrances. Australian collective action pest situation examples are
provided.