Pest Control in 2019: A Look Back

The pest control industry is growing year on year, and 2019 was a busy one for exterminators in the USA.

More people than ever are recruiting the services of professional pest control companies, as numbers of rats, roaches and bed bugs are all on the rise. But which companies are dominating the market, and which areas of the states had the biggest pest problems in 2019?

Pest control industry stats in 2019

North America’s pest control industry is booming, with more people than ever recruiting the services of professional exterminators to help clear their homes of vermin. An increase in the incidence of bed bugs across the US could be partly responsible for this heightened demand, as these tiny bloodsuckers are notoriously difficult to get rid of without professional help. Rising temperatures and increased rainfall may also be partly responsible, as these conditions create perfect breeding conditions for a variety of pests.

Whatever the reason, Americans spent a whopping 2 billion dollars more on pest control in 2019 than in 2018 in their war on rats, roaches and bed bugs. But which companies are dominating the pest control scene this year?

Largest market shareholders in US pest control 2019

The three largest market shareholders in the US pest control industry this year are Rentokil Initial PLC, ServiceMaster Global Holidays Inc., and Rollins Inc. Between them, these companies provide a range of services to tackle every area of your pest control woes, including:

• Insect extermination and control (especially bedbugs, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites).
• Preventative pest control planning.
• Rodent control and extermination.
• Fumigation services.
• Bird proofing services.

Why are more people using pest control services in 2019?

Warmer temperatures and humidity

In tropical and sub-tropical regions, high temperatures and humidity levels create perfect breeding conditions for a wide range of insect pests. This allows bugs like fleas, ticks, and roaches to thrive, meaning people living in these areas are more likely to encounter insect pests.

Dropping winter temperatures

Just as rising summer temperatures can lead to increased pest populations, dropping winter temperatures can also exacerbate the problem. This is because colder outdoor conditions can lead to a scarcity of food, shelter and water sources, motivating rodents to seek more comfortable homes indoors. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the winter season brings in a higher incidence of rats and mice in kitchens.

Increased rainfall

When annual rainfall levels rise, this can encourage pests to move indoors in search of shelter. This is especially true of rodents like rats and mice, which often invade kitchens, basements, and crawlspaces. Increased rainfall levels can also mean more standing water, which is the preferred breeding ground of mosquitoes and can, therefore, increase their prevalence.

Booming populations

The modern world is getting more densely populated every year, especially in and around major cities. Heavily urbanized areas are a dream for insect and rodent pests, as humans create plenty of food waste, shelter and water sources for these critters. People in cities are, therefore, more likely to encounter rats and roaches in their homes and call upon the services of professional exterminators.

Increased incidence of bed bugs

Bed bug numbers are on the rise across the United States and are a driving force behind the pest control industry’s booming success in 2019. These tiny insects (which, as the name suggests, usually dwell in bed linen and mattresses) are becoming increasingly common, and can seriously affect the quality of life of those living with them. They are notoriously difficult to get rid of without professional intervention and may explain the rising use of pest control services in the country.

What are the most prevalent pests in North America?

Pests come in all shapes and sizes and include a variety of insect and mammalian species.

Most infested US cities of 2019

Pest control services have had a busy year in North America, with more people than ever calling in exterminators to help deal with their unwanted visitors. But which are the most infested cities in the USA, and what are the most prevalent pests in each?

Top 5 US cities for bed bug infestations in 2019

Bed bugs are on the rise throughout North America, with more people than ever calling in pest control to deal with these persistent, nocturnal bloodsuckers. The US cities with the biggest bed bug problems were as follows:

1. Evansville, Indiana
2. Jackson, Mississippi
3. Youngstown, Ohio
4. Montgomery, Alabama
5. Denver, Colorado

Top 5 US cities for cockroach infestations in 2019

Roaches love warm weather and abundant water sources. The cities with the best breeding conditions (and, therefore, the highest incidence of cockroaches) in 2019 were:

1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Atlanta, Georgia
3. Miami, Florida
4. Houston, Texas
5. New Orleans, Louisiana

Top 5 US cities for rat infestations in 2019

Where are the rattiest areas in the United States? The cities with the heaviest rat infestations in 2019 were:

1. Syracuse, New York
2. Charleston, West Virginia
3. Dayton, Ohio
4. Memphis, Tennessee
5. Flint, Michigan

Conclusion

Invasive pest species are an ever-increasing problem throughout the world, and the USA is no exception. The pest control industry grew by a whopping 2 billion dollars in 2019, but what is driving the country’s rising use of extermination services? Rising temperatures, increased levels of rainfall, overcrowding in cities and the rising incidence of bed bugs are all possible factors, as more people than ever are encountering problematic critters in their homes.

Well established rat, roach and bed bug infestations can be tricky to eradicate, so it’s no wonder that more people than ever are recruiting professional help to deal with their vermin troubles. Better preventative pest control measures are needed to get the situation under control but, until then, your local exterminator will always be on hand to help!