History of deratization

Pest control in history: How did people get rid of pests in the past and how do we do it today?

Pests, especially rodents, have been with humanity since time immemorial. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, and medieval townspeople all struggled with rats and mice, which destroyed crops, spread diseases, and caused chaos. How did people deal with them in the past, and what methods do we use today? Let's take a look at the fascinating development of pest control!

Antiquity: First attempts at a solution

In ancient times, people relied primarily on natural methods and intuition. One of the oldest and most effective ways people got rid of rodents was to use natural predators.

Cats as the first exterminators: In ancient Egypt, rodents were considered a threat to grain supplies. Therefore, the Egyptians began to breed cats, which became the first "professionals" in the fight against rodents. Cats were considered sacred animals and their ability to hunt rats and mice was highly valued.

Poisonous plants: The ancient Romans and Greeks experimented with poisonous plants such as nightshade, foxglove, or datura, which they added to bait. However, these methods were risky for both humans and domestic animals.

People also invented various primitive mechanical ways to catch or kill rodents. Various simple traps made of stones or wood were used, which knocked down or trapped the rodents. Rodents were cleverly kept away by placing containers filled with water in which they fell and drowned. In many ancient cultures, people also turned to magic and rituals to get rid of pests. They believed that offerings to the gods, various spells, or prayers could ward off rodents.

The Middle Ages: Dark Times Full of Pests

The Middle Ages were a time when rodents literally terrorized cities and villages.

Biological control: People kept polecats, weasels, and other carnivores near food stores to hunt rodents. Some species of birds, such as owls, also proved to be effective rodent hunters.

Primitive traps: Wooden traps and cages were common, but their effectiveness was limited.

Plague epidemics: The spread of the plague in Europe showed how dangerous rodents could be. The Black Death. This was the name given in the Middle Ages to the plague epidemic that reached Europe from Asia in the 14th century. In 1347, the disease first appeared in Constantinople, from where it spread further west on merchant ships. The first purely European city to be hit was Messina, Sicily. And then it happened quickly, by the end of 1349, half of Europe had been infected with the plague. Between 1347 and 1351, the disease killed an estimated 25 million people, about a third of the population of Europe at the time.

Historians have always blamed rats for the spread of the plague. They are the ones who carry the fleas that spread the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. However, a scientific team consisting of experts from the universities of Oslo and Ferrara has recently come up with an explanation that does not require rats as a carrier at all. According to the authors of a newly published paper, the spread of the epidemic can be attributed primarily to human fleas and ticks. The study was published in the journal

19th century: First chemical methods

The 19th century laid the foundation for modern methods of pest control. Although the methods of the time were often harsh and not always safe, they showed that combating rodents required a combination of chemical, mechanical, and preventive measures. Thanks to the advances of this era, we have now been able to develop much more sophisticated and safer methods that protect our homes and health. One of the most significant innovations of the 19th century was the use of chemicals to control rodents.

Arsenic: This toxic substance began to be used as a rat poison. Arsenic was effective, but it was also very dangerous to humans and domestic animals. Its use required great caution.

Zinc phosphide: Another substance that began to be used in the late 19th century. When it comes into contact with water or gastric juices, it releases toxic phosphine, which kills rodents.

These methods were effective, but also risky, as there was a risk of poisoning humans and non-target animals.

Mechanical traps: The invention of spring traps revolutionized pest control. These traps are still popular today. The classic "mouse trap" is an evergreen that is still in use.

20th century: Science on stage

In the 20th century, pest control became a scientific discipline.

Professional services: Pest control has become a specialized profession with certified professionals and standardized procedures.

Anticoagulants: The discovery of substances that prevent blood clotting in rodents was a breakthrough. These poisons are effective and relatively safe for the environment.

Anticoagulants: From warfarin to modern poisons

First generation anticoagulants

In the mid-20th century, the first anticoagulants appeared, which revolutionized pest control. These substances work on the principle of disrupting blood clotting, which leads to internal bleeding and subsequent death of the rodent.

Warfarin: The first and best-known anticoagulant, which began to be used in the 1950s. Warfarin was effective, but it had one major drawback - rodents were able to develop resistance to it.

Other first-generation substances: In addition to warfarin, coumatetralyl or chlorophacinon were also used. These substances required repeated consumption of the bait to be effective.

Second generation anticoagulants

Due to the increasing resistance of rodents to first-generation substances, stronger and more effective second-generation anticoagulants were developed. These substances are the basis of today's modern pest control.

Brodifacoum and bromadiolone: ​​These substances are highly effective and only need to be consumed once to have a fatal effect. They are also less susceptible to resistance.

Advantages of the second generation:

o Greater efficacy even against resistant rodent populations.

o Less risk to non-target organisms (due to more precise dosing).

o Long-lasting effect, reducing the need for repeated interventions.

Second-generation anticoagulants, such as brodifacoum and bromadiolone, are still used today and are the basis of professional pest control. However, their application requires expertise to ensure safety for people, pets and the environment.

21st century: Modern technology and ecology

Today, pest control is on a whole new level.

Ultrasonic repellers: These devices emit sounds that are unbearable for rodents, but harmless to humans and pets.

Smart traps: Modern traps are equipped with sensors that alert the exterminator when a rodent is caught.

Ecological products: There is an increasing emphasis on gentle methods that do not endanger the environment. Modern ecological trends in pest control include the use of the most gentle products, such as biodegradable poisons and natural repellents, and integrated pest management (IPM), which combines prevention, monitoring and targeted interventions to solve the problem in the long term and sustainably. These methods minimize the impact on the environment while ensuring effective solutions to pest problems. For example, routes for exterminators are optimized to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and other sustainable solutions.

What awaits us in the future?

Pest control is constantly evolving. With the advent of artificial intelligence and robotics, new options are emerging, such as autonomous traps or drones for pest monitoring. The goal is not only efficiency, but also minimizing the impact on nature.

Conclusion: From cats to smart technologies

The history of pest control is a fascinating journey from primitive methods to modern technologies. Whether it's ancient cats, medieval traps, or today's clever solutions, one thing remains the same: rodents are still a challenge, but we are ready to solve it.