Tech traps and gene hacks: Pest control market grows as regulations tighten

The global pest control industry is steering towards a whopping $32.8 billion valuation by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 5.7 percent. 

While eager to adopt newer and more effective measures, US produce operators are caught at the intersection of stricter chemical rules, shifting pest pressures, and fast-advancing digital tools. 

A new analysis by intelligence firm MarketsandMarkets Research says demand continues to rise as public health concerns, warmer temperatures, and urban growth boost the need for more efficient—and more traceable—pest management across the supply chain.

Tech takes a bite: IoT, AI, and gene editing gain ground

The report notes stricter chemical-use rules in North America and Europe have encouraged the adoption of biological pest control, with countries such as Mexico implementing a nationwide ban on 35 hazardous pesticides.

However, regulators, livestock operators, public health authorities, and service providers still rely heavily on synthetic products. Biological alternatives are “environmentally friendly but less effective and require repeated usage for optimum results,” MarketsandMarkets notes.

Simultaneously, technology is reshaping service models. Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors can monitor traps, detect body heat, report battery life, and remotely alert technicians of infestations. These systems operate around the clock in locations that are often difficult for staff to reach.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also playing a larger role. According to the report, companies like Rentokil use an app called PestID, developed with Accenture, which sends images through Google’s machine learning system to identify insects and rodents.

“When a positive identification is made, the app immediately provides remediation solutions to help the technician decide on treatment plans, including proper chemicals and recommendations for homeowners,” the firm says.

CRISPR gene editing tools represent another emerging segment. MarketsandMarkets says companies such as Bayer, DuPont, and Monsanto have signed licensing agreements for CRISPR-based approaches that can alter pest fertility and even sex determination, which influence the way pests propagate. Developers describe the method as scalable for specific species.

Slovenian company EFOS (Environment and Food Safety) engineered a similar approach with Trapview Scouting, a smart pest-monitoring platform that uses manual traps. It can identify more than 60 species, including lepidopterans and dipterans, as well as the Mediterranean fruit fly and the olive fly.

Climate and regulations continue to reshape demand

MarketsandMarkets attributes rising global pest pressure to warmer temperatures and shifting insect ranges. The report also points to inconsistent testing rules and lengthy approval timelines for new active ingredients as shift drivers for market growth. Additionally, consumer avoidance of chemical insecticides is increasing, as they are often viewed as harmful.

North America remains the largest regional market for insect-related pest control. The analysis notes a “strong emphasis on controlling diseases in North America, especially in the US” as a key driver of demand.

Developing markets in Asia-Pacific and South America are seeing strong uptake in commercial settings such as hotels, restaurants, and hospitals. On the other hand, public sector buyers in those regions focus on pests, including mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and beetles.

The report says integrated pest management, stricter hygiene expectations, and broader commercial adoption continue to support the sector’s expansion globally.

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