How pest control has changed in 100 years

The English word “pest” comes from the Latin word “pestis,” meaning ‘plague,’ and it was first recorded in English between 1545 and 1555. Although its meaning has changed with time, the concept of a pest as we know it is certainly no new phenomenon. It is, rather, an age-old problem that’s presented challenges for individuals and businesses alike for centuries.                     

For example, historically, it was used in the context of widespread disease or devastating scourge. Soon after and until today, it’s largely used to refer to organisms that can harm crops, spread diseases and cause nuisance. From flying and crawling insects to rodents and birds, there are thousands of pests worldwide that can cause trouble for businesses and homeowners alike.

As pests have adapted over centuries, methods of controlling them have also significantly advanced. Early control often relied on rudimentary techniques, but modern strategies use scientific research, technology and more sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact. To celebrate a century of tackling these challenges, join us as we explore how pest control has changed over the past 100 years. Watch the short video below for expert insights into this fascinating history.

Early tools and chemical developments for pest control

Pest control was very different in the early 20th century, and it was often an experimental process. Let’s begin by looking at some of the earliest tools and chemicals that were used for pest control and how effective (or not) they were.

The widespread use of physical traps

Physical traps were the most common solution for tackling rodents; family-owned pest-control businesses would go out and trap thousands of rats a night. However, these were often not very efficient because of the human effort required, although it’s worth noting that it would have been significantly cheaper at the time as we didn’t have the machinery or tools to replace human effort. 

For example, setting, baiting and monitoring these traps called for consistent effort and attention. Also, traps could only target individual rodents at a time, which made it difficult to control large infestations. There was also the challenge of improperly used traps posing risks to children, pets and non-target animals and the associated potential for harm. Therefore, while they were the most commonly used means for rodent control, physical traps certainly had their limitations and often entailed a cumbersome process.

Chemical treatments

Chemical remedies to tackle pests did exist then and were on the rise, but they were far from the sophisticated pesticides we see today. Instead, local shops sold products like Epsom salts and various powders as “solutions” for pests. Unfortunately, and likely unsurprisingly, many of these remedies were ineffective, only worked temporarily or were downright hazardous to the people dispensing them! Alongside these were dubious “miracle cures” or snake-oil solutions, which were often marketed with exaggerated claims and presented as magical answers to pest problems but rarely delivered on their promises.

Biological controls to tackle pests

By the mid-20th century, pest control began taking a more scientific approach. Biological controls emerged, particularly during World War II, and targeted rodents using bacterial cultures designed to reduce populations. Interestingly, these treatments were often mischaracterised as viruses at the time, reflecting the limited scientific understanding of the general public at the time.

Quirky and old-school pest control methods

The ingenuity of past generations often resulted in quirky and sometimes dangerous pest control practices. Let’s look at some examples.

Bed bugs were a persistent problem in homes, and one popular solution involved placing a candle under metal bed frames to burn the bugs away. While this method may have worked, it came with obvious fire risks and would only get so far today. 

Rodent control also involved curious practices. Rat catchers would go to great lengths to track rodent behaviour, sometimes following moth trails to identify where rats had died and decomposed. To catch them, individuals would often use nets and a terrier or two to chase the rats from their burrows and funnel them into the nets, reflecting how resourceful people had to be in the absence of modern technology.

These quirky methods, though rudimentary, showed how people of the past relied on the limited resources available to them to create effective pest control measures.

The scientific breakthroughs that changed pest control

While traditional methods showcased ingenuity, scientific advancements truly transformed pest control and set the stage for modern solutions. The introduction of chemical pesticides marked a turning point in pest control. Products like DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), introduced in the mid-20th century, were celebrated for their efficiency and ability to eliminate pests quickly. Though DDT and similar chemicals were effective, their environmental and health impacts led to stricter regulations and eventual bans due to their extreme environmental persistence and bioaccumulation within food webs.                                   

When it comes to rodents, anticoagulants revolutionised pest management. This is because bait was previously available, but pest control experts would have to pre-bait with a non-toxic version to encourage the rodents to ingest the toxic bait. Now, the advent of anticoagulant rodent baits provided a more efficient solution by causing delayed effects — the rodents didn’t feel ill until they’d taken a lethal dose (3 or 4 days later).

This changed the industry and meant that pest control didn’t just have to be carried out by someone who understood rodent behaviour really, really well. Instead, the process became simple enough for a layman to carry out, and the product did the job for you.

Cockroach infestations were also handled more effectively with time. Instead of indiscriminate spraying, targeted bait solutions became the preferred method. These solutions were not only safer but also more affordable, enabling widespread use without the need for professional intervention.

By the latter half of the 20th century, pest control had evolved from brute force methods to a science-driven industry that emphasised precision and effectiveness.

This focus on science and efficacy progressed well into the 21st century, too, with pest control companies investing in research centres to support their studies and findings. For example, Rentokil established the Power Centre — a global research and development hub that focuses on technical consulting, product testing and future planning through product development and regulatory analysis.

Have pests themselves changed over the past century?

A discussion of the transformation of pest control over the century would be incomplete without a study of if and how pests themselves have changed, whether as a result of adaptation, resistance or any other factors.

Over time, pests like rats, mice and bed bugs have developed resistance to many traditional treatments, creating new challenges for pest control professionals. Rodents, for example, have proven to be remarkably resilient, often requiring a combination of solutions to be managed effectively.

It’s quite possible that rodents have always had the genes behind anticoagulant resistance, as similar compounds are found in nature, but they weren’t selected for until these compounds came onto the global pest control market.

Ultimately, while the pests themselves haven’t necessarily changed, the tools to get rid of them and ecology certainly have.

Pest control today

It’s evident that pest control today has come a long way, evolving to focus more on sustainability, innovation and more humane methods. Unlike 100 years ago, when pest control relied heavily on broad-spectrum chemical treatments with little consideration of the health and environmental impacts, modern approaches emphasise precision and prevention, especially as regulations regarding chemical use have tightened.

There’s also been a significant shift to focus more on integrated pest management (IPM), which strives for pest prevention and long-term solutions rather than just elimination.

Furthermore, technological advancements continue to change the industry today, particularly with digital pest control. The difference in the time taken to react to infestations using traditional or non-connected methods versus connected pest control, including camera-based technology, can be remarkable.

With non-connected devices, the recovery programme typically begins only after a scheduled visit uncovers signs of an infestation. However, the introduction of connected devices marked a significant enhancement. These enable technicians to begin the recovery programme sooner, triggering alerts as soon as rodent activity is detected. This allows for treatment of the root cause of infestations rather than just the symptoms of pest damage.

The latest leap in pest-control technology today — AI-powered cameras — offers unprecedented speed and efficiency and reduces the impact at the customer site. It allows experts to have visibility of pest activity on a level they’ve never had previously. AI then detects pests and can raise an automated alert, allowing for quick intervention. Businesses can ultimately benefit from quicker, more effective resolutions to pest activity, minimising the impact of infestations. 

The future of pest control

From basic traps to sophisticated solutions, pest control has evolved greatly over the century, but the industry is always moving and improving. As the world’s leading pest control providers, we strive to continue harnessing the latest technology to bring you the best solutions for ultimate peace of mind. We’ve recently introduced the next generation of our connected pest control with PestConnect Optix — our AI-enabled cameras for pest monitoring that are always on watch, so you don’t have to be. What’s more, we’ve got 500,000 connected devices (and counting) deployed worldwide that are protecting homes and businesses 24/7. And we’re not stopping there. With a proud history of 100 years behind us, we’re working hard to create an even brighter future.

Learn more about our 100-year journey in pest control: