Since the Industrial Revolution, new cities and urban town centers have come up across the globe. The pace of urbanization and industrialization has increased immensely in the post-globalization era, which has further increased the population of these suburbs. Moreover, many people from rural towns and villages have migrated to such metropolitan cities for jobs and better economic opportunities. Β The rapid population growth in urban areas has resulted in overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions for many people. The problem of pests such as cockroaches, rats, bed bugs, moths, etc., has become a grave issue in almost all major metropolitan cities across the globe.
Pest control refers to the use of techniques and solutions for the regulation and management of different insects and pests to prevent their adverse effect on human health, activities, and the environment in general. Apart from residential and commercial spaces in urban areas, pest control strategies have been primarily used in the agriculture sector to enhance crop yield and farm productivity. In the past few years, new strategies and solutions have been developed to improve the quality and efficiency of these technologies.
Integrated pest management offering new avenues for the growth of the industry
The use of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach is an important development in the pest control industry. IPM involves the use of eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable models to prevent the spread of pests. This approach employs a host of practices including biological control, habitat manipulation, alteration of sociocultural setups, etc., to provide a holistic solution to the problem. Thus, unlike conventional methods, IPM focuses on long-term pest prevention strategies.
Furthermore, traditional techniques employ a one-size-fits-all approach wherein all pests are targeted irrespective of whether they are beneficial for the surroundings or not. For example, in the case of agriculture, though earthworms fall into the category of pests, they are beneficial for cultivation as they loosen the soil and help in increasing its nutrition. In such a scenario, using IPM-based methodologies offers better results as it involves monitoring and pest identification strategies. Additionally, pest control companies have started using IoT devices to effectively track pests and detect their hideouts. Many leading technology firms have even developed smart pest monitoring gadgets that offer real-time data on rodent activity, thereby helping improve the precision and accuracy of pest control strategies.
Data analytics, AI, and smart systems transforming the landscape of pest control
In the past few years, advanced technologies such as AI and data analytics have also been used to enhance the efficacy of pest control technologies. The ability of AI-powered tools to collect vast amounts of data from the surroundings is the major reason behind their deployment for detecting rodents and insects. The data collected through these programs is processed using data analytics software to track and identify the population levels of a specific species. Moreover, AI tools, using predictive modeling techniques, aid in studying the historical infestation patterns, forecasting the impact of pests on the environment, and ultimately designing holistic rodent control plans.
The use of drones and other such smart systems is another important trend witnessed in the industry. New technologies and devices are being developed that use advanced sensors and cameras to provide accurate data on the movement of rodents. Some pest control businesses have even designed solutions that employ thermal imaging and acoustic emission techniques to identify and target pests precisely. Apart from this, smart traps and bait stations powered by moisture and vibration meters are some of the innovative products installed in commercial spaces, agricultural fields, and industries to tackle the problem of rodent infestation.
Launch of advanced bioinsecticides to target agricultural pests and insects
In the past few years, many chemical companies have launched advanced bioinsecticides and pesticides to help farmers and agriculturists effectively manage the problem of pest infestation. For instance, in November 2023, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), an agri-business company, unveiled an advanced pest control product, Rashinban. The product has been designed specifically to protect chili crops during their flowering phase. The company conducted a study on the problems faced by the crop in its lifecycle and found that more than 75% of the yield is adversely affected by pests such as hoppers, mites, and thrips, thus impacting crop productivity. Since India accounts for around 35% of the global chili production, the product has been initially launched in India to assist farmers in fighting insects efficiently.
In May 2024, BASF, a multinational chemicals company, announced the launch of a new pesticide, Efficon, for farmers in India. The product is one of the first pesticides in the IRAC group 36 class which have no known cross-resistance with other known chemicals. As per a report published by Allied Market Research, such innovative products have strengthened the foothold of the pest control market globally. The industry is expected to rise at a CAGR of 5.7% during 2023-2032.
In conclusion, the increasing need to enhance farm productivity in the agriculture sector has led to a surge in demand for advanced pest control technologies. Furthermore, the transition toward integrated pest management and the use of innovative technologies including IoT, data analytics, AI, etc., are anticipated to create new investment opportunities in the sector.
β **π¨ππππππ ππππππ: Akhilesh Prabhugaonkar
Author Bio:
Akhilesh Prabhugaonkar holds a bachelorβs degree in Electronics Engineering from the reputed Vishwakarma Institute of Technology. He has a special interest in forensics, world history, international relations and foreign policy, sports, agriculture, astronomy, security, and oceanography. An ardent bibliophile and melophile, Akhilesh loves to write on topics of interest and various other societal issues. His love for writing made him enter the professional world of content writing and pursue his career in this direction.
