Read the latest positive news, breakthroughs, and inspiring stories about pest control, curated daily by BrightWire.
A fabric designed to protect soldiers from mosquito bites just increased strawberry yields by more than 350% in lab tests. The breakthrough could help farmers grow more fruit with fewer pesticides.
British farmers are using a groundbreaking digital mapping system to predict exactly where slugs will attack crops, slashing pesticide use by 50% while saving money. The tool was developed by farmers themselves through a pioneering research project that's changing how agricultural science gets done.
A South African scientist discovered a naturally occurring fungus killing African armyworms in farmers' fields, offering hope against a pest that destroyed 40% of Zambia's maize in one outbreak. The breakthrough could finally protect millions of farmers who lose crops and livestock to these devastating caterpillars.
A parasitic fly that causes immense suffering to livestock and humans could become the first species intentionally driven to extinction using breakthrough genetic technology. MIT researcher Kevin Esvelt believes the screwworm will be the pioneering target for this controversial but potentially life-saving tool.
Six graduate students studying bugs and pest management just received scholarships worth $16,000 total from an organization that's invested over $301,000 in future scientists since 1976. Pi Chi Omega's 2026 awards continue a 50-year tradition of supporting the next generation of people who protect our homes and health.
A kitchen staple is helping gardeners protect their plants without harsh chemicals. Simple aluminum foil tricks are giving home growers an eco-friendly edge against common pests.
Australian researchers are using human IVF technology to develop a groundbreaking solution to the country's $200 million rabbit pest problem. The gene drive could eliminate feral rabbits without poisons or traps.
Australian farmers battling record mouse infestations can now use double-strength bait after emergency approval. The new chemical helps protect crops where mouse numbers have soared to 4,000 per hectare in some areas.
Scientists at the University of Arkansas discovered rice plants can trap and kill armyworm caterpillars using their flowers like natural pest traps. This accidental finding could help farmers fight crop-destroying insects without toxic chemicals.
Scientists found a way to make termites self-destruct by blocking their ability to grow new exoskeletons, eliminating 95% of colonies without toxic fumigation. The breakthrough could end the need for tenting entire homes while keeping families safer.
Scientists discovered a spider smaller than a grain of rice that catches ants six times its size while living quietly in urban wall crevices. The tiny hunter might be helping control mosquito and fly populations in cities without anyone noticing.
The FDA just approved two emergency treatments that could save American ranchers from a devastating livestock pest creeping closer to the border. With the New World Screwworm spotted just 62 miles from US soil, these new tools give farmers crucial protection for their herds.