- Local authorities dealt with 225,430 residential rodent infestations in 2022 – equivalent to 618 per day
- On average, each council spent more than £100,000 on pest control visits to homes
- Swansea, Southwark and Birmingham councils tackled the most infestations while Eastbourne Council saw the biggest annual increase (188 per cent)
- London faced more than 40,000 infestations in 2022 – almost one in five of all infestations
Local authorities dealt with 225,430 rodent infestations in 2022, equivalent to 618 per day, according to new research from Direct Line Home Insurance1. There has been a significant rise in residential rodent infestations in the last two years, increasing 12 per cent from 201,871 infestations (552 per day) in 2020.
The research found that each local authority spent an average of £101,044 dealing with residential rodent infestations. In total, local authorities could be spending an estimated £36 million tackling rodent infestations each year2. Almost one in five (19 per cent) local authorities provide pest control services to residents for free. For those households that don’t qualify for discounts, councils typically charged £80 for pest control related services.
Rodents can cause significant structural damage to homes by gnawing under floorboards, within stud walls and drywall linings, or by making holes in loft insulation which can cause condensation and rot in the joists.
If mice and rats chew through plastic pipes it can also lead to damp, or flooding whilst chewing through electrical cables could cause significant fire risks. Some rodents also carry diseases such as Salmonella and Listeria, which can easily spread to humans, normally through rodent urine, droppings, or by coming into contact with food preparation areas.
Table one: Local Authorities dealing with the most infestations
| Rank | Local Authorities | 2021 | 2022 | y/o/y change |
| 1 | City & County of Swansea | 15,516 | 16,767 | 8 per cent |
| 2 | Southwark Council | 8,761 | 16,664 | 90 per cent |
| 3 | Birmingham City Council | 14,464 | 12,736 | -12 per cent |
| 4 | Liverpool City Council | 12,032 | 10,373 | -14 per cent |
| 5 | City of Glasgow | 7,894 | 10,323 | 31 per cent |
| 6 | Sunderland City Council | 3,232 | 5,968 | 85 per cent |
| 7 | Wigan Metropolitan Borough | 5,382 | 4,715 | -12 per cent |
| 8 | North Lanarkshire Council | 3,469 | 4,462 | 29 per cent |
| 9 | London Borough of Lambeth | 3,246 | 3,645 | 12 per cent |
| 10 | Nottingham City Council | 4,115 | 3,573 | -13 per cent |
Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2023
The City & County of Swansea dealt with the most residential rodent infestations in 2022, a total of 16,767. Southwark Council and Birmingham were the second and third busiest councils last year, dealing with 16,665 and 12,736 infestations respectively.
Eastbourne Council saw the highest increase in rodent infestations in 2022 with 598, up from 208 in 2021 (a significant 188 per cent increase). London Borough Councils dealt with 40,768 infestations in 2022 – 18 per cent of the total for the UK.
One estimate suggests there are now 150 million rats in the UK3. Some ‘super rats’ are now resistant to traditional pest control methods and can grow to be as big as a cat.
Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance, said: “Mice and rats pose a real risk to the home and people’s health. They take advantage of issues like broken pipes, slipped roof tiles or holes in skirting to gain access to a property, often causing serious damage to the structural integrity of a building or belongings.
“We recommend that anyone with an infestation contacts either their local authority or an extermination service to have it taken care of professionally.”
Ian Andrew, Chief Executive at the British Pest Control Association, commented: “Rodents are a serious public health pest and they have rapid breeding cycles, which means infestations require swift action as they can escalate quickly.
“Unfortunately, being unable to afford pest control increases the likelihood of people either ignoring infestations or attempting DIY pest control methods, which can make the issue worse and endanger other people or non-target species.
“A pest professional such as a BPCA member will have the technical knowledge and experience required to deal with an infestation quickly and safely, as well as having access to products not available to the public.
“Pest management is vital for maintaining the safety, health and wellbeing of people, so it would be great to see something in the UK like the proactive approach New York City are taking, with the appointment of a ‘rat tsar’.”
To help homeowners prevent pest invasions, Direct Line Home Insurance has provided the following five tips:
- Keep refuse bins sealed: Avoid attracting rodents to your property in the first place by keeping all rubbish bins containing food waste properly sealed, clearing away garden waste and by using rodent safe bird feeders.
- Keep surfaces clean: Rodents are drawn to food debris so wiping down surfaces regularly, clearing up food spillages and throwing away uneaten food will help to prevent unwanted visitors.
- Fill cracks and crevasses: Many rodents are crafty at finding entry routes into the home. Prevent them from getting in by sealing gaps around doors and windows. Also block holes above or under the sink as many pests will use this area to gain access to water.
- Seal food: Store food in safe and enclosed containers to prevent rodents from being tempted to visit your home.
- Avoid clutter: Rodents love hiding in dark areas so keep the home clutter-free to remove opportunities for them to set up a home in your house.
