The story of Dethlac begins in the years following the Second World War, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a fascination with chemistry.
Mr Roy Gordon Archer, the father of sisters Carolyn and Penelope, had a deep interest in chemicals and product formulation. In the early days he was an apprentice with Mr S T Kirton of Hull, where he used to turn the dispensary into a miniature factory for the production of what he thought in his innocence could be “jolly good proprietaries”. Although his efforts were seldom approved, he then worked in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, gaining valuable training and experience with companies in Switzerland and the United States.
Mr Archer was a natural innovator. Over the years he worked on a wide range of products, from pharmaceuticals to household goods and insect control. Among his early successes were products such as indigestion remedies and rat poisons (warfarin in those days). But it was in 1959 that he introduced the product that would become his legacy: Dethlac.
From the very beginning, the product was distinctive. The aerosol can design, still recognisable today, featured a small archer symbol - a subtle tribute to Mr Archer himself. That design has remained largely unchanged for decades, helping generations of customers instantly recognise the brand on store shelves.
Building a Growing Business
As demand grew, Mr Archer built a large factory in Croydon, behind Lombard Bank. At the time, Carolyn and Penelope were still at school while their father worked tirelessly to expand the business.
Later, he invested in a much larger factory in Huntingdon, commuting there regularly while the family home remained in Wimbledon. By this point, the business had expanded significantly. Mr Archer was manufacturing a wide variety of products including rodenticides, insecticides, aerosol household products, ladies’ perfumes, men’s toiletries, and even pet care products.
Mr Archer was also a familiar face at events such as Crufts, where he sold his pet products including dog shampoos and biscuits. He was known for his humour and personality. When customers asked if the dog shampoo was any good, he would often reply:
"If it's good enough for my daughters, it's good enough for your dogs."
True to his word, Carolyn and Penelope regularly had their hair washed with the very same dog shampoo.
Mr Archer had another trademark quirk - he often wore a monocle when negotiating prices. If a supplier quoted too high, the monocle would dramatically fall from his eye, leaving everyone in the room knowing the price needed to come down.
A Devastating Setback
Tragedy struck in 1974 when the Huntingdon factory was destroyed in a devastating fire started by local youths. The loss was enormous and brought the thriving business to a halt.
In the aftermath, Mr Archer arranged for another company to manufacture products under license while he began to step back from the day-to-day running of the business. Sadly, only six months later, he suffered a heart attack and passed away.
At that time Carolyn was just 16 years old and still at school.
Two Sisters Carrying the Legacy Forward
After their father’s death, their mother, Maureen Archer, took the reins and asked Carolyn if she could help her keep the business running for a few months. What began as a temporary step turned into a lifelong commitment. Two years later, Penelope joined them.
Tragically, their mother also passed away when Carolyn was just 21, leaving the two sisters to run the business alone.
With no formal business training and having both left school at sixteen, they faced enormous challenges. Yet they were determined to continue their father’s legacy.
In the years that followed, the sisters sought to maintain control over all of their products, resulting in them bringing everything back in-house to run themselves.
A Retail Breakthrough
For many years Dethlac was sold through chemists, including Boots The Chemist, which often had large gardening sections at the time. A major turning point came when Wilko decided to list the product.
Dethlac quickly became a huge success, remaining a strong seller in Wilko stores for over 35 years. The brand also expanded into other retailers and channels including Amazon, Robert Dyas and B&Q, alongside a network of wholesalers.
Over the decades the sisters navigated countless challenges, from regulatory changes and chemical approvals to Brexit and the disruption of COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, they remained committed to preserving the brand and keeping the product available for loyal customers.
A New Chapter for Dethlac
In 2024, after more than six decades of family stewardship, Carolyn and Penelope sold the Dethlac brand to IGA Global, ensuring the product could continue to grow with new investment and support.
Despite the changes, the heart of the brand remains the same. The iconic can design, still featuring Roy Archer’s small archer symbol, has been carefully preserved so customers continue to recognise the product they trust.
Earlier this year, Carolyn was delighted to attend the Garden Press Event alongside the new owners, sharing the remarkable story behind Dethlac.
A Remarkable Legacy
Looking back, Carolyn reflects with pride on what she and Penelope have achieved.
Two sisters, starting at just seventeen years old, with no formal training other than one year at Secretarial College, kept a British household brand alive through decades of change.
Today, more than 65 years after its launch, Dethlac remains a trusted name in ant control; a testament to one man’s innovation, two sisters’ determination, and a British product that has truly stood the test of time.
