Southwark and Borough among UK's top bed bug hotspots
New data ranks SE1 postcode district 13th nationally for pest control call-outs.
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Figures and period are sourced to JG Pest Control, but no named individual source.
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Higher is stronger
Headline overstates South London focus relative to broader London data.
Lower is better
The SE1 postcode district, covering Southwark and Borough, has been identified as a significant bed bug hotspot, according to new research. The area was ranked 13th nationally among the 15 worst-affected postcode districts in Britain for bed bug infestations.
Analysis of Pest Control Data
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The findings stem from an analysis of 34,776 pest-control call-outs with valid postcode districts undertaken by JG Pest Control between October 2025 and October 2026. The company's operational data identified 4,942 bed-bug-related call-outs. These were used to rank postcode districts based on the number of attended jobs.
The study highlighted a wider pattern of infestations across south London. Croydon (CR0) achieved the second-highest national ranking. Other south London areas, including Battersea (SW11) and Tooting (SW17), also featured within the top 15 postcode districts identified.
Researchers noted that areas with high population density, rapid rental market turnover, student housing, and extensive transport networks tend to experience more significant bed bug activity. However, the rankings are exclusively based on the attended jobs recorded by JG Pest Control. They do not incorporate data from council complaints, NHS records, or broader industry-wide statistics.
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Questions this report answers
+Which areas were identified as the worst for bed bugs?
Southwark and Borough (SE1) was ranked 13th nationally. Croydon (CR0) was ranked second nationally. Battersea (SW11) and Tooting (SW17) also appeared in the top 15 postcode districts identified for bed bug infestations.
+How was this data collected?
The rankings are based on an analysis of 34,776 pest control call-outs attended by JG Pest Control between October 2025 and October 2026. The data specifically counts attended jobs related to bed bugs within valid postcode districts.
+Does this data include official complaints about bed bugs?
No, the rankings are based solely on the attended jobs recorded by JG Pest Control. The analysis does not include data from council complaints, NHS records, or other industry-wide figures, providing a specific view of the company's operational data.
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