When should regulatory applied control measures be implemented?

Regulatory applied control measures are primarily designed to prevent the introduction and spread of pests across different regions, particularly at the state or national level. Implementing these measures is crucial when there is a need to prevent pest entry and movement within a state, ensuring that invasive or harmful species do not establish themselves and disrupt local ecosystems, agriculture, or public health. Such measures can include quarantines, restrictions on movement, and controlled trade practices.

While controlling pests locally, eradicating them completely, or acting at the initial sighting might be strategies employed in pest management, they do not encompass the broader focus of regulatory measures. These responses are more tactical or reactive rather than proactive and systematic, which is the essence of regulatory practice aimed at maintaining biosecurity and protecting resources on a wider scale. Thus, the correct choice highlights the importance of state-level preventative actions against potential pest invasions.