Episode Summary: "Pests" – The Curious History of Your Home

Host: Ruth Goodman
Production Team: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Tom Pink, Addison Nugent, Nicole Edmunds, Lloyd Starr, George Colwey, Miriam Baines, Katrina Hughes
Composers: Tom Pink, Dorry Macaulay, Oliver Baines
Release Date: August 26, 2024

Introduction to Historical Pest Infestations

In the opening narrative of this episode, Ruth Goodman transports listeners to ancient Egypt around 1446 BC, depicting a desolate marketplace plagued by an overwhelming surge of pests. She vividly describes scenes of dead frogs, swarming insects, and locusts devastating both the environment and human settlements. This depiction aligns with historical theories suggesting that climatic shifts led to environmental degradation and pest overpopulation, possibly influencing the biblical Ten Plagues of Egypt.

"The alleged plague of pests did eventually leave Egypt, but that's not to say pests completely disappeared from the country."
— Ruth Goodman [01:29]

Ancient Egypt: Early Pest Control Measures

Goodman delves into the persistent pest issues in ancient Egypt, highlighting the challenges posed by beetles, moths, rats, and mice. The Egyptians employed various strategies to combat these nuisances, such as:

• Trapping: Setting up traps to capture pests.
• Professional Pest Catchers: Hiring experts dedicated to pest control.
• Protective Netting: Using netting around beds to deter flying insects, akin to modern mosquito nets.

Interestingly, the burial of a pet mouse with a priest named Neferinpu during the Fifth Dynasty illustrates a nuanced relationship with pests, treating them as both companions and threats.

"The tomb of a priest called Neferinpu reveals that his tiny pet mouse was buried alongside him."
— Ruth Goodman [03:15]

Domestication and Perception of Mice

Moving beyond Egypt, Goodman explores the domestication of mice:

• Ancient Israel (Natufian Settlements): Fossil evidence indicates mice provided protection and easy access to grain, dating back to 12,500 – 9,500 BC.
• Ancient China: Manuscripts from the 3rd century BC reference domesticated mice, with the Han Dynasty (80 BC) noting the popularity of the yellow waltzing mouse, admired for its playful spinning.

These accounts contrast sharply with Ancient Greece, where pests like mice and insects were predominantly viewed negatively, often featured in myths as cursed or monstrous beings.

"Mice weren't necessarily unique to ancient Egypt. Evidence shows they'd been living alongside humans long before the first pharaoh took to the throne."
— Ruth Goodman [04:45]

Greek and Roman Approaches to Pests

In Ancient Greece, pests were often vilified in mythology:

• Arachne: Transformed into a spider for her hubris.
• Medusa: A monstrous figure with serpents for hair, embodying terror.
• Myagros: A minor god tasked with chasing flies from sacrifices.

Conversely, the Romans found utility in pests as tools of warfare. For instance, during the 2nd century AD, defenders of Hatra utilized scorpion-filled clay pots to repel invading Roman forces, showcasing an inventive yet lethal approach to pest management.

"While pests go, disease follows. When you think about successful businesses, there's a secret... but with pests, the secret was their utility in defense."
— Ruth Goodman [06:20]

The Black Plague: Pests and Pandemics

Goodman provides a comprehensive analysis of the Black Death (1346-1353), emphasizing the pivotal role of pests in the pandemic's spread:

• Climatic Shifts in Egypt: Elevated temperatures led to Nile drying, algal blooms, and subsequent pest proliferation.
• Siege of Caffa (1346): Tatar forces allegedly catapulted plague-infested corpses into Caffa, facilitating the spread of Yersinia pestis to Europe.
• Impact: The plague decimated 25-60% of Europe's population, bringing cities to a standstill with widespread fear and mortality.

Initially, medieval societies failed to recognize pests, especially rats and their fleas, as vectors of disease. It wasn't until the 1665 outbreak that the link became evident, leading to drastic measures like banning domestic animals and widespread culling.

"Some might think of fleas, lice, and locusts, while others list rats, mice, and pigeons. But no matter what you consider a pest, they've irritated humans for millennia."
— Ruth Goodman [09:10]

Medieval and Early Modern Pest Control Methods

Goodman highlights various medieval and early modern methods employed to combat pests:

• Natural Remedies:

  • Alder Leaves and Sticky Bread: Suggested in Le Mnagier de Paris (1394) to trap and burn insects.
  • Pickled Cucumbers and Bovine Gall: Recommended in Italy to deter bed bugs.

• Legislative Actions:

  • King Henry VIII's Preservation of Grain Act (1532): Mandated the extermination of vermin, including mice, rats, badgers, and hedgehogs, offering bounties for each pest eradicated. This led to a 250-year killing frenzy, severely impacting local wildlife populations.

"While the men and women of the Middle Ages relied on these natural remedies to ward off pests, there were also more violent solutions."
— Ruth Goodman [11:45]

Pest Infestations in the New World

The episode transitions to New Zealand in 1770, detailing how European settlers introduced non-native species like rats and mice, which wreaked havoc on indigenous wildlife. Scientific estimates indicate that rats contributed to the extinction of around 23 bird species in the region.

Further, in 18th and 19th century England, rat catchers like Jack Black became urban fixtures, showcasing both the societal impact of pests and the evolving methods of control—from professional exterminators to public spectacles involving live rats.

"It seems easier to blame the rats. Not every pest in medieval Europe carried a deadly disease. Many were just a nuisance."
— Ruth Goodman [15:30]

The Advent of Chemical Pest Control

Goodman discusses the significant shift brought about by World War II, which spurred advancements in chemical pest control:

• DDT Introduction: Developed by Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Muller, DDT was hailed as a groundbreaking insecticide, effectively managing pests like lice, fleas, mosquitoes, and beetles.

• Environmental Impact: Despite initial acclaim, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) exposed the detrimental effects of DDT on biodiversity, leading to its ban in the United States (1972) and subsequently in Europe.

This revelation marked a pivotal moment in pest control, balancing efficacy with ecological preservation and ushering in modern environmental awareness.

"Modern scientists turned to chemistry. Though some methods have undoubtedly reduced their number, humans have never managed to exterminate them completely."
— Ruth Goodman [18:20]

Contemporary Perspectives and Conclusion

Goodman concludes by reflecting on the enduring struggle between humans and pests. She underscores the diverse perceptions of pests, ranging from fleas and locusts to larger animals like hedgehogs and foxes, which were once hunted to near extinction. With rising environmental consciousness, she advocates for coexistence and sustainable pest management strategies, acknowledging that pests are unlikely to vanish without ongoing human intervention.

"Perhaps it's best if we just learn to live with the pests. After all, as history shows, they're not going anywhere without a fight."
— Ruth Goodman [20:05]

Teaser for Next Episode: The Unexpected History of Clocks

Goodman wraps up the episode by teasing the next installment, which will delve into the fascinating evolution of timekeeping devices—from miniature sundials in Pompeii to elaborate clocks constructed in 11th century China.

"In the next episode, we explore the unexpected history of clocks... That's next time on The Curious History of Your Home."
— Ruth Goodman [20:45]

Note: This summary omits commercial advertisements and non-content segments, focusing solely on the informative and narrative elements presented by Ruth Goodman throughout the episode.