The National Roadmap for IPM identifies three areas on which to focus IPM efforts:

• Production agriculture  
  • Further develop and improve IPM systems for managing pests of food, fiber and ornamental crops  
  • Focus on prevention, avoidance and mitigation of pest attack
  • Reduce adverse effects of pest management on the environment, particularly negative impacts on water quality  
  • Develop and implement IPM systems for crops consumed by humans
  • Develop IPM strategies for fruits, vegetables and other labor-intensive crops that comprise a large part of the human diet. These IPM strategies will produce economic benefits and quality crops while protecting consumers, agricultural workers, and the environment.  
• Natural resources and recreational environments  
  • Protect public health and ecosystems from invasive species while minimizing negative effects
  • Minimize pesticide residues in drinking and recreational waters
  • Minimize pesticide injury to non-target species
  • Develop IPM programs and measure their effects
• Residential and public areas
  • Expansion of IPM programs, such as IPM for Schools and Public Buildings, to more institutions and residential areas with a goal of reducing negative effects of pest management

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Future Direction

• Benefits and costs associated with IPM programs/strategies are the main factors in determining the likelihood of their implementation. Cost/benefit analysis of IPM programs/strategy is critical and perspectives from both the long-term and short-term using four basic parameters are needed:
  • Monetary
  • Environmental/ecological health and function
  • Aesthetic benefits
  • Human health
• Reduce potential human health risks from pests and related management strategies.

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J. Sprick, last updated 3/3/06

Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia Agriculture & Experiment Station