World Pest Day is annually observed across the globe on 6 June to raise awareness about the critical role of professional pest management in protecting public health, food safety, property, and the environment.
- The 2025 World Pest Day is led by the Global Pest Management Coalition (GPMC) in collaboration with the Virginia (United States of America, USA) based non-profit trade association ‘National Pest Management Association’ (NPMA).
- The day is sponsored by Orkin, a global pest control company founded in 1901 and operating as a subsidiary of Rollins Inc. since 1964.
Theme:
The theme of World Pest Day 2025 is “Guardians of Health: Professional Pest Management for a Safer World” emphasizing the critical role of pest management professionals in safeguarding communities from pest-related threats.
Background:
i.In 2017, World Pest Day was established by the Chinese Pest Control Association (CPCA) in collaboration with global partners including the NPMA, the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers’ Associations (FAOPMA), and the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA).
ii.The day was first observed on 6 June 2017 at the inaugural event held at the Beijing Hotel in China.
Impact of Insect Pests:
i.Crop Damage: Insect pests feed on various parts of plants (leaves, stems, roots, fruits), leading to significant yield loss in agriculture.
ii.Economic Loss: Infestations result in reduced market value of produce and increased costs due to pest control measures.
iii.Food Security Threat: Large-scale crop destruction by pests can lead to food shortages and affect national food security.
iv.Spread of Diseases: Some insect pests (like mosquitoes and aphids) are vectors for transmitting plant, animal, and human diseases.
Pest and Pesticide Management:
i.Pest and pesticide management involves recognizing the challenges posed by pests, the implications of pesticide use, and the strategies for effective management.
ii.The United Nations(UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based in Rome(Italy), estimates that plant pests and diseases reduce global crop yields by 20 to 40% annually.
iii.FAO is actively working to reduce the global risk from Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), which are of particular concern due to their severe adverse effects on human health and the environment.
2025 Initiatives & Events:
i.PestWorld 2025, the premier global event for pest management professionals, is scheduled for October 21–24, 2025, at the Marriott Orlando World Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.
- Hosted by the NPMA, the conference will focus on business and technical topics, offering a dynamic platform for industry leaders, technicians, researchers, and suppliers to connect, learn, and innovate.
ii.World Pest Day 2025 was featured during PestWorld East 2025, a significant gathering of global pest management professionals held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE).
iii.Pest Challenges in India (2025): India continues to face severe pest threats due to urbanisation, climate change, and population density. The top pest concerns in 2025 include:
- Mosquitoes – Spread dengue, malaria, chikungunya.
- Cockroaches – Cause food poisoning, trigger asthma.
- Termites – Cause severe structural and furniture damage.
- Rodents – Spread leptospirosis, damage property.
- Houseflies – Spread diseases like typhoid and cholera.
