Cockroach infestations are becoming an increasing concern for UK households, with pest control experts warning that reports of severe outbreaks in residential buildings are on the rise.
Residents affected by infestations describe sudden, widespread sightings of the insects in kitchens, bathrooms and communal areas, with some saying they appeared 'from everywhere' once established.
New figures cited by BBC News show Cardiff Council recorded an almost 9% rise in cockroach complaints at domestic properties between 2024 and 2025, while private pest control companies say weekly callouts have climbed sharply in recent years.
As reports continue torise, the issue is drawing renewed scrutiny ofhousing conditions,hygiene standards,and structural vulnerabilities that allow pests to thrive indoors, particularly in densely populated or older accommodation blocks.
Recent reporting highlights that cockroaches are no longer a rare nuisance confined to isolated properties but are instead appearing more frequently in multi-occupancy housing and urban developments. According to pest control guidance, UK infestations are typically driven by warm, humid environments and access to food waste, which allow populations to spread rapidly once established.
One Cardiff resident, Sumesh Geevarghese, described the ordeal of dealing with cockroaches in his rented apartment as 'very stressful'.
Geevarghese told BBC News he first noticed signs of infestation after a neighbour moved out of the building and left belongings outside before vacating the property.
'They had kept a lot of their stuff outside - their clothes, their kitchen things, everything, before vacating,' he said. 'I could see cockroaches outside.'
The situation quickly escalated after the insects entered his flat.
'I turned on the light and I could see a cockroach running, two or three were running,' he said.
Source: International Business Times UK
