Lower income areas most at risk from pest control problems, report

Residents in lower income areas are most at risk of pest problems but also face higher costs and limited access to local authority pest control, a new report has found.

The No Small Matter report, commissioned by British Pest Control Association (BPCA), nots that around half of local authorities no longer offer a direct pest control service, or have significantly reduced provision, leaving residents to rely on private services or attempt to manage infestations themselves.

Dense urban areas and overcrowded or poorly maintained homes create conditions where pest infestations can spread more quickly and are harder to control, the national trade body warned.

Since 2022, average council visits for rodent infestations rose by more than 150%, with bed bugs rising over 30% and cockroaches to almost 20%.

Rosina Robson, chief executive of BPCA, said: “The need for pest management is often highest in communities already experiencing wider social and health inequalities, with households facing financial pressure being less able to invest in pest prevention or timely professional intervention.

“The No Small Matter report confirms what is already widely accepted within the industry, which is that dense urban housing, overcrowding and lower income areas are more prevalent to infestation and least able to afford intervention.

“Frequent tenant turnover and eviction can disrupt coordinated treatment, allowing infestations to re-establish and, without support, people living in these areas are dealing with pest activity that is more likely to persist, spread and escalate, increasing health risks and placing further pressure on already vulnerable communities.”

The No Small Matter report highlights that some private pest professionals are increasingly filling the gap left by cuts to council provision, with many reporting that they have undertaken pro-bono work for vulnerable households or offered discounted services for charities and community organisations.

Niall Gallagher, technical manager at BPCA, said: “Properties with multiple occupancy, overcrowding or high tenant turnover can create ideal conditions for pests to thrive as there are greater opportunities to access food sources and infestation treatments may not be completed due to residents moving out.

“Poor maintenance can also be a contributing factor in pest ingress. Gaps around windows, doors and pipework can be common entry points for rodents and cockroaches, both of which are also likely to investigate bin storage areas for food.

“Bed bugs travel on second hand furniture, and wasp nests have been found in a wide variety of locations, from wall cavities and sheds to toilet cisterns and lofts.

“We always recommend a prevention rather than cure approach, but in the event of pest activity in the home, we recommend early professional intervention wherever possible.”

James Berry, deputy CEO of the Property Care Association, said: “The focus on data and insight in this report makes it a compelling read, and one that highlights the impact and importance of professional pest control in the UK.

“As the trade body for timber and damp control, it also raises important issues that resonate in the PCA’s sector too, including the importance of taking a proactive rather than a reactive approach to property maintenance, along with recruitment priorities for the future.”

BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA’s Codes of Best Practice.

To find a professional pest controller visit bpca.org.uk/find.