Key Points

• Pest infestations across Croydon’s 13,000 council homes have risen sharply over the past five years, according to new data.
• Mice are the most persistent pests bothering tenants in Croydon’s social housing, with pest controllers called out hundreds of times each month.
• A sharp rise in residential infestations across Croydon has occurred since 2021.
• Callouts for mice, rats, and bed bugs saw a modest decline in the past year.
• Cockroaches have seen a steady but consistent increase over the last five years, with removal visits rising by 13% from 7,748 to 8,772.
• The data is exclusive to reports covering Croydon’s social housing crisis.
• Pest infestations affect tenants living in council homes across South London boroughs.

Croydon council (South London News) June 6, 2026 –Croydon borough is facing a growing crisis as pest infestations across its 13,000 council homes have risen sharply over the past five years, new data reveals. The exclusive report highlights that mice are the most persistent pests bothering tenants in Croydon’s social housing, with pest controllers called out hundreds of times each month to deal with them.

As reported by the journalist covering the exclusive investigation for London Centric Media, the data reveals a sharp rise in residential infestations across Croydon since 2021. However, the same data shows callouts seeing a modest decline in the past year for mice, rats, and bed bugs, suggesting some improvement in rodent and bed bug management.

In stark contrast, cockroaches have seen a steady but consistent increase over the last five years, marking them as the emerging pest problem in Croydon’s council housing.

According to Direct Line Group’s news report from April 2025, cockroach removal visits saw a troubling rise, increasing by 13 per cent—from 7,748 to 8,772 over the same period. This 13% increase represents a significant escalation in cockroach infestations that council housing officials must address urgently.

Why are mice the most persistent pest in Croydon social housing?

Mice remain the dominant pest problem in Croydon’s council homes, with pest controllers responding to hundreds of callouts monthly.

The persistent nature of mouse infestations suggests structural issues within the council housing properties that allow rodents to enter and establish nests. As reported in the exclusive investigation, pest controllers are called out hundreds of times each month specifically to deal with mouse infestations in Croydon’s social housing.

The frequency of mouse callouts indicates that despite any modest decline in the past year, mice continue to be the primary pest concern for tenants living in Croydon council homes.

This persistent mouse problem affects the quality of life for thousands of residents across South London’s borough.

How have cockroach infestations changed in Croydon over five years?

Cockroach infestations in Croydon council homes have experienced a steady but consistent increase over the last five years, marking a significant shift in the pest landscape.

According to Direct Line Group’s analysis, cockroach removal visits saw a troubling rise of 13 per cent, increasing from 7,748 to 8,772 visits. This 13% increase represents a troubling trend that council housing authorities must address.

The steady increase in cockroach infestations contrasts with the modest decline seen in mouse, rat, and bed bug callouts over the past year.

While other pests have shown some improvement, cockroaches continue to escalate as a persistent problem in Croydon’s social housing sector.

What does the data reveal about pest infestation trends since 2021?

The new data reveals a sharp rise in residential infestations across Croydon since 2021, marking the beginning of a five-year period of escalating pest problems. This sharp rise encompasses multiple pest types, including mice, rats, bed bugs, and cockroaches, affecting the 13,000 council homes across the borough.

However, the data also shows a nuanced trend: while overall infestations have risen sharply since 2021, callouts for mice, rats, and bed bugs have seen a modest decline in the past year.

This suggests that council pest control services may have improved their response to rodent and bed bug infestations, though cockroach problems continue to worsen.

How do pest infestations affect tenants in Croydon council homes?

Pest infestations across Croydon’s 13,000 council homes directly impact the quality of life for tenants living in South London’s social housing.

With pest controllers called out hundreds of times each month primarily for mouse infestations, tenants face regular disruptions and potential health risks. The presence of mice and cockroaches in council homes can lead to property damage, food contamination, and potential health concerns for residents.

The steady increase in cockroach infestations means more tenants are experiencing the discomfort and health risks associated with cockroach presence in their homes. For families living in Croydon council homes, the rising pest problem represents an ongoing challenge to their daily living conditions.

What pest control measures are available for Croydon council tenants?

Croydon Council provides pest control advice, treatment, and charges for residents dealing with infestations. The council’s pest control services handle the hundreds of monthly callouts for mouse infestations and the increasing number of cockroach removal visits.

Tenants in council homes can access official pest control resources through Croydon Council’s environment and pest control department.

According to Shelter England’s resources on local authority duties, occupiers may contact the local authority which has powers to control infestation and remove accumulations of rubbish attracting vermin.

This legal framework ensures that council tenants have access to official pest control services when facing infestations in their homes.

Background of the Pest Infestation Development in Croydon

The pest infestation crisis in Croydon council homes stems from a combination of factors affecting South London’s social housing sector.

The data shows pest infestations across Croydon’s 13,000 council homes have risen sharply over the past five years, with new data revealing the extent of the problem. Mice remain the most persistent pests, with pest controllers called out hundreds of times monthly.

The sharp rise in residential infestations since 2021 marks the beginning of a five-year escalation. While callouts for mice, rats, and bed bugs saw modest decline in the past year, cockroaches have experienced steady consistent increase. The 13% increase in cockroach removal visits from 7,748 to 8,772 represents a troubling trend.

This development affects Croydon council tenants particularly, as they live in the 13,000 council homes experiencing rising infestations.

South London residents in social housing face regular pest control disruptions and potential health risks from mice and cockroach presence. The modest decline in rodent and bed bug callouts suggests some improvement in pest management, though cockroach problems continue worsening.

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Prediction: How Rising Pest Infestations Will Affect Croydon Council Tenants

The continued rise in pest infestations, particularly the 13% increase in cockroach removal visits, will significantly affect Croydon council tenants living in the borough’s 13,000 social housing properties. Tenants will face increased health risks from cockroach presence, including potential respiratory issues and food contamination in their homes.

The persistent mouse problem, with hundreds of monthly callouts, means Croydon council tenants will continue experiencing regular disruptions from pest control services. Families living in council homes may face property damage from rodent activity and ongoing discomfort from infestations.

As cockroach infestations continue their steady increase over the next five years, more Croydon tenants will require pest control interventions, potentially increasing wait times for council services.

The modest decline in mouse, rat, and bed bug callouts suggests some improvement, but the worsening cockroach problem means overall tenant quality of life may decline.

South London council tenants should expect continued pest control challenges affecting their daily living conditions, with the potential for increased health concerns and property damage if the infestation trends continue unchecked.