Local authority pest control services made nearly 300,000 visits to people’s homes to deal with pest infestations last year at a cost of £40m.
Analysis by Direct Line Home Insurance found that the number of pest control call outs councils handled in 2024 was an increase of 3% when compared to 2023 and was up 9% on 2022.
Last year, local authorities responded to an additional 52 rat or mouse callouts per day compared to 2022 and there was a 35% jump in bedbug infestations from 2022 to 2024.
Maria Lawrence, product expert – Home Insurance at Direct Line, commented: ‘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.’
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