Insect control practices on North Carolina cotton farms in 1976 were investigated as a basis for estimating the costs and returns to a federally sponsored boll weevil eradication program. The mean number of insecticide applications was 10.9, but most were not directed at boll weevils as a primary target. Comparisons on insecticide use, use of field scouting and other practices are compared for two areas of the state, two farm sizes, counties, and those farmers in and not in spray cooperatives. More years of data are needed for a more complete estimate of the advantages of eradication.