As more people spend more time outdoors, the need to keep pesky bugs away will rise.
The worldwide market for home outdoor pest-control devices is likely to expand at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 5 percent between now and 2020, according to Technavio, a technology research company.
The firm’s market research examined the revenue generated from sales of pest devices that control mosquitoes and other insects, as well as rats, mice, pigeons and sparrows. The recent outbreak of Zika virus has increased a focus on mosquito control particularly.
Awareness of the multiple diseases that mosquitoes harbor is expected to fuel growth in the market over the next five years. The Aedes species of mosquitoes are responsible for carrying Zika virus, which the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in February.
Along with a growing public concern about the dangers of mosquitoes, consumers are also discovering the issues that pests such as pigeons can present by way of their droppings and nests in inconvenient locations.
The increased interest in landscaping and lawn care will also promote the sale of outdoor pest-control products as more of the population flocks to green spaces and patios for entertaining. The international report said rising disposable income is part of the reason homeowners are now willing to spend on landscaping services.
Issues such as rodents ruining the lawn and troublesome insects such as wasps, flies, and mosquitoes will drive demand for pest-control products.
“Such factors are propelling the sales of pest-control devices like citronella candles, lamp repellers and rodent traps,” said Mantri Charan Kumar, a lead analyst at Technavio for retail goods and services research.
However, the firm predicts that consumers won’t settle for just any pest-control substance. Recent legislation in certain areas have drawn attention to the possibility of using non-toxic substances to fight pests. Certain chemicals have been associated with health issues, which is another reason why consumers are likely to shift away from them in the future.
“Increased emphasis on reducing the dependence on conventional pesticides is expected to drive the sales of non-toxic pest-control devices like traps, candles and lamps,” said Kumar.