Twenty years ago, I started Pestival because I wanted people to see insects differently — not simply as pests, but as extraordinary, essential parts of the living world.
For two decades, Pestival has used art, science and culture to change the way we think about insects, ecology and our place in the natural world.
Now, after 20 years of building Pestival, we find ourselves in a trade mark battle with Rentokil.
Rentokil met us in 2017 to discuss sponsoring Pestival. In 2025, it used the name PESTIVAL for its centenary campaign. It is now pursuing its own UK PESTIVAL trade mark application while also seeking to revoke our existing PESTIVAL registrations.
The irony of the pest killer trying to exterminate the pest educator is not lost on us.
What is harder to reconcile is Rentokil’s public statement that it has no plans to use PESTIVAL again and does not want to stop us using it, while it continues to pursue its own application and the revocation proceedings against ours.
For Pestival, this is not “a bit of fun”. It is 20 years of hard work, passion and livelihood, and the legal costs of defending the name have pushed the organisation to the financial brink.
The Telegraph has reported on the dispute:
If you believe independent cultural and environmental organisations should be able to protect identities they have spent decades building, please share the story, add your voice and support Pestival.
We also have some very exciting new Pestival projects in the pipeline — and a major PESTIVAL fundraiser at the Bloomsbury Theatre on 14 October, hosted by Stewart Lee. More news to follow.
Since the article’s publication, prominent supporters have rallied to Pestival’s defence:
Sir Tim Smit – Co-founder of The Lost Gardens of Heligan
“Bridget and the Pestival team are rightly lauded for their work in highlighting the importance of insects to the natural world and it seems an extraordinary misstep on the part of Rentokil to try and muscle in on their name, especially as their business is the extermination of bugs. It strikes me that an apology and acknowledgement of their mistake would bring this matter to a close, but their statement in response doesn’t do this. Now is a pivotal moment for the future of natural history education. We need Pestival and other similar initiatives to help everyone understand the incredible nature that surrounds us so we are all equipped to safeguard and nurture it.”
Alistair McGowan –Actor and impressionist
“I’ve known Pestival since the beginning. For 20 years it has persuaded people to marvel at insects rather than simply reach for the bug spray. It’s imaginative, funny and important work, and it seems extraordinary that Bridget should now have to fight to protect the name she has spent two decades building. I hope common sense prevails.”
Feargal Sharkey- Environmental Campaigner
“Ah yes, corporate lawyers trying to play the old ‘see who’s got the biggest willy’ game again. Mike Duffy, really? @RentokilInitial”
Lucy Siegle –Reporter on The One Show
“WHAT! THIS IS TERRIBLE!”
Cosmo Landesman -Journalist
“Will Rentokil please explain why they are trying to revoke her trademark and claim as their own? They claim they have no interest in the name Pestival so will someone explain why they have filed to revoke her trademark? Shame on you!”
Kirsty Lang – Journalist and broadcaster
“I sincerely hope that Rentokil backs off. I did a feature on Pestival for BBC Radio 4 when it teamed up with London Zoo. Pestival, which informs and entertains on the importance of biodiversity, must be allowed to continue, now more than ever.”
Rowan Pelling –Journalist and writer
“I know the wonderful Bridget Nicholls, who has been championing insects — especially those under threat of extinction — for ages. Pestival is totally her baby. I don’t understand Rentokil’s ‘nothing to see here’ response to the reporter. Why were Rentokil trying to grab the name in June if they didn’t want to do something with it?”
We also have some very exciting new Pestival projects in the pipeline, alongside a major Pestival fundraiser at the Bloomsbury Theatre on 14 October, hosted by Stewart Lee.
