The U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted methods used to protect crops against pests.

According to Dr. Vijay Nandula, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Institute of Food Production and Sustainability national program leader, pests are beginning to appear in new locations as a possible result of climate change, according to an April 11 news release. Additionally, the use of certain chemicals may begin to show diminishing effectiveness against certain pests.

“You’re not trying to eradicate the pest completely. You’re just trying to make it viable for the crop to be sustainable," Nandula said, speaking of integrated pest management, an approach in which multiple pest control techniques are used strategically. "The approach needs to be effective over the long term, sensible and safe.”

 Integrated pest management is being tested due to pests circumventing efforts to control them.

Nandula also noted the effectiveness of individual techniques differs depending on the type of crop. For example, agronomic crops, such as wheat, are granted better chances at survival by cover crops and special fertilizer or irrigation regimes. In contrast, specialty crops, such as fruits, are likely better off with biological controls and scouting for disease.