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Pest control checker

Does your council offer free pest control? Find out here

Dealing with rats, mice or wasps is stressful enough without wondering what it’s going to cost you. Use our tool below to check exactly what your council offers, so you know what to expect before you report it.

How big a problem is pest control in the UK?

Pest problems are common. UK councils handled over 525,000 pest treatments at people’s homes in the last three years, around 170,000 of those in 2025 alone.*

Despite this, most people never actually involve their council: only 14%¹ have ever reported a pest problem, and 68%¹ never have at all.

Pest complaints by type*:

Pest	2023	2024	2025	3-year total
Rats	119,837	124,702	120,267	364,806
Mice	39,494	38,373	33,668	111,535
Wasps	31,113	16,630	24,543	72,286
Ants	4,803	5,739	4,489	15,031
Fleas	5,410	5,127	4,093	14,630
Bedbugs	5,917	6,668	7,863	20,448
Cockroaches	2,659	3,026	3,504	9,189

How much does the council charge for pest control?

Most councils that offer pest control charge for it rather than providing it free. For the most commonly reported pests, prices can vary significantly by council - but as a rough guide, you might typically pay around £84 for rats, £88 for mice, and £77.50 for wasps², though this isn’t universal. Only around 8%² of the 367 councils we checked offer any pest service completely free.

Our own survey of 2,000 UK homeowners and renters found a similar pattern: 63%¹ of people who’ve had a pest problem in the past year spent nothing dealing with it, but those who did pay spent £36.79¹ on average, covering everything from traps to call-outs and repairs. If you rent, responsibility for pest control usually falls to your landlord - though this can depend on what caused the infestation and what your tenancy agreement says.

Pest reports by region

We asked councils across the UK how many pest problems people had reported to them*. England had the most reports by far, but that’s mostly because England has so many more people and councils than Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What’s more interesting is the trend. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the number of reports went down slightly compared to the year before. Wales was different, it was the only nation where reports actually went up.

Nation	Reports (2023-2025)	Compared to last year
England	503,315	Fewer reports
Scotland	126,345	Fewer reports
Wales	56,117	More reports
Northern Ireland	22,709	Fewer reports

What do councils typically cover?

Council pest control services vary widely, but most cover common household pests like rats, mice and wasps. Across more than 3,000 pest and council combinations we checked, 47%² are currently covered, 26%² aren’t covered at all, and 16%² offer advice only, with no actual treatment sent. Coverage also varies a lot by nation: Wales leads with 61%² covered, while Northern Ireland lags well behind at just 10%².

Some pests fare better than others too. Squirrels top the list at 75%² covered, followed by ants at 67%², while bedbugs are the least likely to be covered, at 45%².

It’s also a service that’s being scaled back in places: 76 of the 367² councils we checked have withdrawn or reduced their pest control offering at some point since 2015, including 4² that did so just in 2025.

Does home insurance cover pest control?

Most standard home insurance policies don’t typically cover removing pests or fixing the damage they cause over time - insurers tend to treat this much like damp or general wear and tear.

There are exceptions: sudden damage, like a fire from chewed wiring or a leak from a gnawed pipe, may be covered separately, and some home emergency add-ons can cover a sudden, serious infestation. It’s worth checking your policy documents to understand exactly what you’re covered for.

Some people expect their home insurance to cover pest damage - almost 1 in 10¹ in our research - though most standard policies don’t. Learn more in our guide to pest control insurance.

Types of home insurance

Buildings insurance

Protects the permanent fixtures and structure of your home.

Student home insurance

Can protect your belongings while you're living away from home.

Tenants insurance

Covers your belongings against loss, damage and theft while in your rental property.

Flood insurance

Can offer some protection for your home and belongings if you live in a flood risk area.

Over 50s home insurance

Can provide peace of mind your home and belongings are protected against loss, damage and theft.

Flat insurance

Can be tailored to cover the building, content or both depending on whether you own or rent your flat.

What our expert says

“It’s a common misconception that pest control is something your council will sort out for free. In reality, only around 8%² of UK councils currently offer any pest service without charge, and charges can vary significantly depending on where you live.

“Coverage also varies by nation. Wales has the highest coverage at 61%², while Northern Ireland has the lowest at just 10%². It’s always worth checking exactly what your own council offers before assuming it’ll be free, or that it won’t be covered at all.”

Matthew Harwood Home & lifestyle insurance expert

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Frequently asked questions

Are landlords responsible for pest control?

If you’re renting, responsibility for pest control can depend on what caused the problem and what’s set out in your tenancy agreement. In many cases, landlords are responsible for keeping a property pest-proof and dealing with infestations - but this isn’t always guaranteed. It’s worth checking your contract if you’re unsure, and seeking independent advice if you’re in dispute.

What happens if I miss an appointment?

This can vary quite a bit between councils, some may charge a fee or ask you to rebook, while others may be more lenient. It’s generally worth checking directly with your council when you book.

Which councils offer free pest control?

Only around 8%² of UK councils (30 out of the 367) we checked currently offer pest control completely free of charge. You can use the checker above to see what your own council offers.

*Freedom of Information requests sent to UK councils, correct as of October 2026.
¹Survey of 2,000 UK homeowners and renters, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com, 16th-22nd October 2026.
²Confused.com research of 367 UK councils’ pest control services and pricing, correct as of October 2026.