The pest control industry is constantly researching new technologies and products that will advance the way this industry prevents and manages pests. And as these treatment and monitoring developments evolve, the overarching goal is to also decrease the impacts they have on the environment and on non-target creatures, as well as the economic impact on bottom lines. This may even change the way this industry communicates about pest control.

Bio-rational materials, or pest control products that are relatively non-toxic and have little negative impact on the environment, are another step forward in sustainability and are becoming increasingly important. One such example is using pheromones to enhance existing control methods.

While pheromones are nothing new to pest control—pest control professionals frequently use pheromones traps as a means to monitor pest populations—adding them to insecticides is a new concept.

The pest control industry is only beginning to understand the opportunities to improve our business with mobile and social technology—but the possibilities are endless. Researchers have developed what they call a “pheromone-assisted technique,” which maximizes the effectiveness of insecticides, specifically for Argentine ants. An insecticide by itself does not actually lure ants. Instead, if the ant happens to cross a treatment zone, it will pick up the insecticide and eventually die. But when combined with a pheromone, the ant can be lured away from its trails and nests to the insecticide.