We’re often asked; What are the biggest pest problems that we deal with? They are predominantly rodents (rats and mice) and various insects, particularly bed bugs and wasps (not so much in the winter).
Main Pest Problems
- Rats and Mice: Rodents are a significant problem across the whole of the UK, with people reporting thousands of infestations. They seek warmth, food, and shelter in buildings, especially during colder months, and can cause substantial property damage by gnawing through wires and pipes, as well as posing serious health risks by spreading diseases like Salmonella.
- Bed Bugs: Infestations of bed bugs have increased dramatically in recent years, a trend attributed to increased domestic and international travel and the second-hand furniture market. These resilient insects are difficult to eradicate and cause distress through their bites and presence in sleeping areas.
- Wasps: Warmer spring and summer weather in 2025 led to a “wasp boom”. Nests form earlier and grow larger, with wasps becoming particularly numerous and aggressive in late summer and early autumn as they search for food.
- Ants: Ants are a common and increasing problem, with warmer temperatures extending their active season. They enter homes in search of food and can quickly establish a large colony, making them difficult to remove.
- Cockroaches: These resilient pests thrive in warm, dark, and moist urban environments, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and their populations are on the rise, posing a health hazard through the spread of bacteria and a foul odour.
Other Notable Pests
- Fleas: Common in homes with pets, flea infestations can spread rapidly in carpets and soft furnishings if not treated effectively.
- Moths: Clothes moths, in particular, have become more common, with their larvae damaging natural fibres in clothing, carpets, and upholstery year-round due to central heating.
- Pigeons/Birds: Urban birds can be a nuisance, nesting in and around properties, causing mess with corrosive droppings (guano) and potentially spreading diseases.
- Spiders: Spiders become more noticeable in autumn as they move indoors to breed, though most UK species are harmless.
Why – Factors Contributing to Pest Problems
- Warmer Weather: Milder winters and warmer, sunnier springs/summers, linked to climate change, allow many insects and rodents to extend their breeding seasons and thrive for longer periods.
- Urbanisation and Waste: Expanding urban areas provide numerous food sources (especially from poorly secured bins and food waste) and nesting opportunities.
- Travel: The increase in post-pandemic travel has been linked to the resurgence and spread of bed bugs across the country.