Rentokil Terminix—formed in 2022 via the $6.7 billion acquisition of Memphis-based Terminix by U.K. global pest control company Rentokil—is studying bugs big-time in Irving.

The company has opened a North America Innovation Center in the Dallas suburb, which will serve as a hub for research and development, innovative testing, training, and driving advancements in the pest control industry.

The center features a built-in “insectary” filled with indigenous and global insects, along with three independent laboratories for investigative in vivo experiments, early innovation screening, and product efficacy claims development. There are also temperature-controlled environmental chambers, a showroom, and a showroom and conference room for training and educational events. To top it off, there’s a 50,000-square-foot warehouse.

Scientists studying mosquitos, wood-destroying organisms, and more

Termite lab research at the Rentokil Terminix Innovation Center in Irving [Photo: Terminix]

The new innovation center “combines global expertise with localized insight and execution,” the company says, and is backed by a team of PhD-level scientists specializing in wood-destroying organisms, municipal vector control for mosquitos, and regulatory requirements and product development.

The team based in the center is focused on developing “cutting-edge pest control technology, products, and services to help improve public health and safety, enhance lives, and encourage environmental responsibility,” the company said.

Cassie Krejci, PhD, the head of science and innovation for North America at Rentokil Initial, said the center represents “a significant milestone in our ongoing mission of ‘protecting people, enhancing lives, and preserving our planet.'”

“This center brings together some of the brightest minds in the industry to collaborate, research, and develop innovative solutions that will revolutionize the way we tackle pest infestations, vector control challenges, and advance integrated pest management practices,” Krejci added in a statement.

Vector lab research lab research at the Rentokil Terminix Innovation Center in Irving. [Photo: Terminix]

A hub for collaboration

In the future, the center will serve as “a community resource and a hub for collaboration with leading academic institutions, key stakeholders, and industry experts,” the company said.

“For more than 100 years, Rentokil Initial companies have been steadfastly committed to being innovators in the pest management industry,” John Myers, president and CEO of U.S. Pest Control for Rentokil Terminix, said in a statement. “Rentokil Terminix is proud to be part of this century-old tradition in North America. The launch of the Rentokil Terminix Innovation Center is a testament to the company’s dedication to providing its customers with the most effective, safe and sustainable pest control solutions available.”

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