'They were coming from everywhere' - cockroach infestations rise after milder winters

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: 'They were coming from everywhere' - cockroach infestations rise after milder winters8 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJohnny BrewBBC WalesGetty ImagesContrary to its name, the German cockroach does not originate from GermanyPest controllers have reported a rise in callouts to cockroach infestations in Cardiff, with one company regularly getting five or six reports a week. Cardiff council reported a 9% increase in cockroach claims at domestic properties between 2024 and 2025. Experts say warmer temperatures and higher density living in flats and apartments are behind the increased reports.

Sumesh Geevarghese, who lives in Cardiff, described having a cockroach infestation at his rented apartment as "very stressful", adding: "They started coming from everywhere. "Cockroach expert entomologist Dr George Beccaloni said "milder winters" mean the pests living in ducts and drains aren't killed off in the cold. The German cockroach is the most common of five main cockroach pests in the UK.

The Details

Contrary to the name, German cockroaches originate from South East Asia and are completely dependent on humans for survival in the UK. They are known to carry organisms which cause food poisoning to humans and other bacteria, including salmonella, staphylococcus and streptococcus, according to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). Cardiff council had 86 reports to domestic properties in 2025, while Newport council had 31 and Swansea council had 13.

By contrast, local authorities and pest control companies in rural areas of Wales cited little to no cockroach reports when approached by News. Chris Corbett/Aderyn Pest ControlGerman cockroaches in a monitoring trap at a property in south WalesGeevarghese, 45, said he first noticed cockroaches at his apartment when one of his neighbours moved out. "They had kept a lot of their stuff outside - their clothes, their kitchen things, everything, before vacating," he said.

"I could see cockroaches outside. "Geevarghese said soon afterwards, as he fetched a glass of water one evening, he realised the pests had entered his home. "I turned on the light and I could see a cockroach running, two or three were running.

What Experts Say

"He said he tried treating them with sprays bought from the supermarket but that did not help and the problem got worse. "They started coming from everywhere, from the WiFi router, under the kettle, the toaster and all the switchboards. We would cook and they would keep coming from the sockets, from under the microwave.

"Sumesh said having cockroaches at the apartment he rents was "very stressful"Geevarghese said Cardiff council told him they had a "backlog" and could not attend every case, after which his letting agent agreed to cover the cost of hiring private pest controllers who worked on his apartment over four visits. He said the situation was "OK now".

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.