Rentokil is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Today, Rentokil’s most common foes are rodents, bed bugs, flies and cockroaches, while other more exotic pests such as mosquitoes, snakes, termites, stink bugs, ticks and numerous species of spiders are also on Rentokil’s target list in countries around the world.
Each year, the company conducts over 25 million pest control service visits to customer premises, covering over 737 million miles in its fleet of service vehicles (or 29,623 laps of the Earth), with around 60,000 colleagues operating in 90 countries.
Rentokil began in 1925 following entomologist Professor Harold Maxwell-Lefroy’s successful battle to eradicate deathwatch beetles that were wreaking havoc on the medieval roof timbers of London’s iconic Westminster Hall. Having developed the world’s first effective solution, he decided it would make an excellent business.
Professor Maxwell-Lefroy originally wanted to call the brand ‘Entokil’ but was unable to trademark this name, so he added an R and Rentokil was born.
From its initial focus on insects, over the first 30 years, the business developed into new pest areas including rodents and new markets such as Asia and Africa. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange in the 1960s and expanded further in Europe and North America in the 1980s.
More recently, it has moved into new markets in Latin America and the Middle East. During the 2020 Covid pandemic, Rentokil re-trained around 7,000 members of staff to provide disinfection services.
In recent years, Rentokil has driven a transformation of pest control towards digital services, internet-connected services and the use of AI. The company has developed a range of digital pest control solutions, including remote monitoring systems, data analytics platforms, and mobile apps for customers.
Today, Rentokil has a network of connected pest control devices in customers’ premises around the world, generating over 1,000 messages every minute. These alerts, ranging from rodent notifications to system diagnostics, enable rapid response and proactive pest management.
Andy Ransom, chief executive of Rentokil Initial plc, said: “We are thrilled to be celebrating 100 years of Rentokil. From our beginnings in 1925, we have grown to become a global leader in pest control, protecting people from the threats of pests.
“I hope the men and women who founded Rentokil and invented modern pest control would recognise their legacy. They would certainly see themselves reflected in our brilliant, hard-working people and our dedication to innovation. This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our colleagues, past and present, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers for many years to come.”
Mr Ransom continued: “As it has done throughout its history, Rentokil is today evolving rapidly and reinventing the industry with new advances in pest control technologies and more effective ways of working. We are at the forefront of innovation and digital technologies for pest control.
“As Rentokil enters its second century, we are building an organisation for the future, with a globally recognised brand and reputation, and will remain at the forefront of this outstanding industry.”