Rat race: councils tackling pest infestations every two minutes

• Councils made 291,132 visits to people’s homes to deal with pest infestations in 2024
• 91 per cent of these were to tackle rodents
• Visits to tackle bed bugs have increased by a third in just two years 
• A quarter of local authorities (24 per cent) do not provide pest control services
• Councils spent £40 million tackling rodent infestations in 2024 
• 50 people were admitted to hospital in 2023/24 due to rat bites

Local authority pest control services were called out to a staggering 291,132 pest infested homes across the UK in 2024, the equivalent to one visit every two minutes, reveals new analysis by Direct Line Home Insurance1. This is an increase of three per cent compared to 2023 and nine per cent up on 2022.

Last year, councils responded to an additional 52 rat or mouse related callouts per day, compared to 2022, reflecting an escalation in the rodent population. Bedbug infestations also soared, seeing a 35 per cent increase from 2022 to 2024 (11,028 in 2022 to 14,882 in 2024). Cockroach removal visits saw a troubling rise, increasing by 13 per cent—from 7,748 to 8,772 over the same period.

In 2024, Waveney District Council experienced the largest rise in rat or mouse-related callouts, increasing by 325 per cent compared to the previous year, followed by Eastleigh Borough Council, which saw an increase of 134 per cent.

Table one: Councils with the highest percentage increase in rat and mouse removals

The availability of council operated pest control services remains a postcode lottery, with services and prices across the UK varying wildly. Only five per cent of councils who responded to a Freedom of Information Act request provide rat and mice removal services free of charge to residents. The majority require residents to pay a fee ranging from £10 to £283. Some council prices also vary depending on the type of pest to be controlled. For instance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council charge £165 for bedbug removal and Cambridge City Council £49. Whilst Southampton City Council charges £751.08 for bedbugs and £418.80 for cockroaches.

Table two: Council charges for rat and mice infestations 

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2025 

A quarter (24 per cent) of councils do not offer a pest control service, or have discontinued them, leaving residents in those areas forced to seek alternative solutions. Ceredigion County Council and Shropshire Council both discontinued their pest control services entirely last year. 

The average cost to the council for providing pest control services is over £125k (£126,993)2. For large metropolitan areas the costs are often considerably higher. For example, Southampton City Council spent £513,051 last year on these services, whist the London Borough of Lambeth spent £472,753 and Bristol City Council spent almost a quarter of a million pound (£224,706) over the same period. 

Maria Lawrence, Product Expert – Home Insurance at Direct Line, comments: “More and more people are facing an I’m a Celebrity trial in their own home, coming face to face with cockroaches and rats. Infestations can not only cause huge damage to people’s homes they also pose a huge health hazard.  

“Householders should take precautions to avoid attracting pests and needing to bring in the Council’s version of the Pied Piper of Hamelin by storing rubbish in securely closed containers rather than plastic bags that provide easy access to rats and other pests.”

Where there is rubbish, there are rats. Local authorities spent an estimated £40 million tackling rodent infestations in 20243. Rodents can cause serious structural damage to homes by gnawing beneath floorboards, inside stud walls, and through drywall linings. They can also create holes in loft insulation, leading to condensation and potential rot in the joists. Chewing through plastic pipes can result in damp issues or even flooding, while damage to electrical cables poses a significant fire and safety risk to householders.

As well as causing damage to homes, rats pose a significant health risk. According to the latest hospital admissions data, 50 individuals were admitted to hospital in 2023/24 having been bitten by a rat4. This figure is likely to be much higher as many incidents of this nature will potentially go unreported. Rodents are also known to carry diseases such as Salmonella and Listeria, which can easily spread to humans, normally through rodent urine, droppings, or by touching areas where food is prepared.  

Niall Gallagher, Technical and Compliance Manager at British Pest Control Association, said: “The statistics show a significant uptick in callouts, so it is increasingly important for residents to consider calling a professional at the first sign of pest activity. 

“Rats and mice are a public health concern and have rapid breeding cycles, which means an infestation can quickly escalate. Bed bug infestations are tricky to deal with and horribly distressing for those that have to live alongside them, meaning a pest professional should always deal with them.

“BPCA members are trained and qualified professionals who can have the expertise needed to investigate a pest issue, identify the root cause, and work with householders to protect their safety, health and wellbeing. Please don’t put off seeking professional help if you spot signs of a pest infestation.”

To help homeowners prevent pest invasions, Direct Line Home Insurance has provided the following five tips:

• Secure your bins: Rodents are drawn to food waste, so make sure outdoor bins are tightly closed. Clear away garden debris and opt for bird feeders that do not scatter food, which can also attract pests. 
• Maintain clean surfaces: Crumbs and spills are a feast for pests. Wipe down kitchen counters regularly, clean up food mess promptly, and dispose of leftovers to reduce the risk of attracting rodents.
• Seal entry points: Mice and rats can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Check for cracks around windows, doors, and pipework — especially under sinks — and seal them to help keep pests out.
• Store food wisely: Use airtight containers to store pantry items like cereal, rice, and pet food. This helps keep tempting smells sealed in and rodents firmly out.
• Declutter regularly: Rodents often seek out quiet, hidden spots to nest. By keeping your home tidy and free from unnecessary clutter, you will make it less inviting for them to settle in. 

ENDS

Notes to editors 

1. Freedom of Information Act request made to all Local Authorities across the UK and NI in January 2025, of which 270 replied with usable responses. Please note some Local Authorities reported updated figures for 2022 and 2023 that differed from figures previously supplied and published.

1. Total cost of UK councils providing pest control services (£15,493,191) divided by 165 councils that provide pest control services 

1. £126,993 multiplied by 301 (local authorities that have responded to the FOI and offer pest control services and those yet to respond).

1. Hospital admissions and consultations figures. Source available - hosp-epis-stat-admi-ext-caus-2023-24-tab.xlsx

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group: 

Chelsey Wheeler 

Deputy Head of News and Issues 

Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com

Phone: 07482107207  

Direct Line

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