There was a 23% rise in bed bug callouts in 2023, with the number jumping from 11,819 to 14,587, according to data.
Direct Line home insurance's freedom of information (FOI) request also revealed that cockroach callouts increased by 3%, from 8,455 to 8,706. Meanwhile, local authority pest controllers made 272,122 visits to homes with rat and mice infestations in 2023.
This was a slight decrease of just under 1% from 274,605 in 2022 but still equivalent to 745 a day. The data suggests that the availability of council-operated pest control services varies greatly across the UK.
Only 8% of councils which responded to the FOI request provide pest removal services free of charge, while most require residents to pay a fee ranging from £10 to £264. Among the highest charges are in Southwark in London (£226.98), Kirklees in Yorkshire (£210) and Oxford City Council (£264), Direct Line found.
Some councils, including Shetland, Somerset, and Welwyn Hatfield, offer a reduced fee for those on benefits, while others impose a flat rate regardless of circumstances. The figures show 104 of the 397 councils contacted do not provide a pest control service at all, leaving 26% of Britons to find a private contractor to resolve these issues, the insurer said.
These include large local authorities such as Bradford, Middlesbrough and Chichester Councils. According to the councils, the average cost of pest control services is about £150,000 per council. However, in 2023, Edinburgh spent £603,602 and Liverpool spent £630,332 on these services.
Over 2022 and 2023, UK local authorities spent an estimated £44million dealing with rodent problems. Rodents can cause serious damage to homes by gnawing under floorboards, within stud walls and drywall linings, or by making holes in loft insulation, which can lead to condensation and rot in the joists.
If mice and rats chew through plastic pipes, it can also cause dampness or flooding, while rodents chewing through electrical cables could pose significant fire risks. Rodents are also known to carry diseases such as salmonella and listeria, which can spread to humans, especially if they come into contact with food preparation areas.
The latest hospital admissions data suggests that 48 individuals were admitted to hospital in 2022/23 after being bitten by a rat. Maria Lawrence, product manager for Direct Line home insurance, said: "The public will understandably be squeamish upon learning about the scale of pest problems faced by authorities in the UK, particularly as they can create real issues for people's health."
"Across the UK there is a huge difference in the costs people face, depending on where they live, with either free services or significant charges to tackle these issues."
The boss of the British Pest Control Association, Ian Andrew, said: "It's absolutely vital that householders consider calling in a BPCA member at the first sign of rodent activity. Rats are a serious public health pest with rapid breeding cycles, which means an infestation can escalate quickly. Failed DIY treatments can make the issue worse, as well as potentially endangering other people or non-target species."