Calls to deal with Watford rat and bed bug infestations surge in recent years

Figures from Watford Borough Council show that they made 845 residential visits to deal with rats and mice in 2023, up 28 per cent from 660 in 2021.

There were 34 callouts to deal with bed bug infestations in the town last year compared to zero two years ago.

The council was also asked to treat cockroaches six times in 2023, up from just one occasion in 2021.

Across the UK, pest controllers made 271,343 visits to homes with rat and mice infestations last year, or 743 every day, according to data obtained from local authorities by Direct Line Home Insurance.

There was also a 23 per cent increase in callouts for bedbugs from 2022 to 2023 while cockroach incidents also rose by 3 per cent.

 George Bowstead, of Pestforce Watford and Enfield, said the sharp increase in bed bugs could be due to a return to normal since the pandemic.

The pest controller said: “People are travelling more now and bed bugs are very easily transferrable. You can pick them up from hotels, taxis, buses and lorries.”

He also saw an increase for rat callouts during lockdown and believes that new working patterns mean people spot more infestations.

“People were at home more so they noticed scratching and noises in the loft and a lot of people are still working from home," he added.