Meet the expert - Josiah Ritchey

About Josiah

Josiah Ritchey, M.Sc., is a senior entomologist on the Vector Science team at the Rentokil Terminix North American Innovation Center in Dallas, Texas. He helps identify, develop, and validate novel control strategies for pests of medical significance, including mosquitoes, ticks, bed bugs, flies, and wasps.

A naturalist from a young age, Josiah has always been captivated by the complexity and diversity of insects (particularly beetles and aquatic insects, many of which can be found right outside, or inside, our homes).

Whether in the field or the lab, he is always eager to talk about insects—or, more likely, the one that just got away from his light sheet or camera lens.

Connect with Josiah on LinkedIn here

Josiah’s background and experience

Josiah came to the pest control industry through a path he never expected: His early interest in insect biology led him to pursue formal training in entomology, where he researched the evolution of competition strategies in beetle pests of stored products.

Following his graduate studies, Josiah applied his entomological knowledge at North Carolina State University. There, he worked on projects focused on improving urban pest control strategies for bed bugs, ticks, and ants. His experience included conducting original and industry-sponsored pesticide research studies, evaluating pesticide performance, deploying remote pest monitoring technologies, and developing safety and extension materials for a range of stakeholder groups.

Josiah also brings practical field experience to his current role, as a certified pesticide applicator and former plant healthcare technician. As a former technician, he inspected and treated ornamental plants and trees affected by invasive and naturally occurring insect pests and plant diseases.

In early 2024, Josiah joined the Vector Science team at Rentokil Terminix and helped establish the North American Innovation Center. Today, he combines his experience in laboratory research, field testing, and applied entomology to help advance science-based management solutions for pests that affect public health and quality of life.

Areas of expertise

Josiah is an expert in vector science, pesticide research, and the development of remote monitoring technologies.

Vector science and public health pests

Josiah specializes in the biology and control of pests that are medically relevant. His work involves identifying and validating emerging control strategies for disease-vector species such as mosquitoes and ticks, as well as high-impact urban pests like bed bugs and flies.

By focusing on pests that impact human health, he helps ensure Rentokil’s services remain at the forefront of public safety.

Pesticide research and performance assays

With extensive experience in both academic and industry-sponsored research, Josiah is an expert in conducting pesticide performance assays and efficacy studies.

He has a deep understanding of pesticide application methods and safety protocols, ensuring that new products and strategies are rigorously tested for effectiveness before deployment.

Innovation and remote monitoring technology

Josiah has a specialized background in deploying and evaluating remote pest-monitoring technologies.

At the North American Innovation Center, he works to bridge the gap between traditional entomology and modern technology, helping to develop "smart" pest solutions that provide more precise detection and faster intervention for customers.

Education and certifications

M.Sc. Entomology | University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
B.A. Biology | Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA
Member: Entomological Society of America
Member: National Conference on Urban Entomology (NCUE)