NO SMALL MATTERS REPORT
Experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA) are urging householders in location to take swift action if they suspect pest activity in their home and help avoid the mental health impacts of living with an infestation.
Ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the national trade body called for people to protect their families, homes and wellbeing, advising anyone who spots signs of pest activity to seek help from a BPCA member and contact mental health charity Mind for support where needed.
Pest infestations can cause depression, anxiety, feelings of shame and social isolation, according to the independent No Small Matter report commissioned by BPCA, which found people living with an infestation reported suffering from severe anxiety and chronic sleep deprivation, sometimes missing days of work or school due to exhaustion.
The report also cites a study which found households with cockroach infestations are 2.9 times more likely to have high depressive symptoms, with that rate rising to 5.1 for households experiencing problems with cockroaches and mice.
Natalie Bungay is Head of Technical at BPCA. She said: “Infestations can become overwhelming and deeply personal, turning what should be a safe and comfortable living space into a constant source of stress.
“Pests may contaminate food and food preparation areas bringing a risk of disease, while some species will bite or sting, and others can make disruptive noises as they move around the house.
“People often feel a sense of shame, or concern about being judged if they discover a pest presence in their home, but it is vital to overcome that and seek help from a BPCA member as soon as possible.
“A quicker resolution is much more likely in cases where intervention happens before an infestation can become well established.”
Pests such as rats, mice, bed bugs, fleas and cockroaches may enter homes through a variety of routes, including drains, gaps around doors and windows or on second hand clothes and furniture.
Signs of pest activity can include gnaw marks and droppings, distinctive odours and unusual noises.
Mind provides life-saving information, support and advice through its network of local branches, helplines and online resources. The charity also campaigns to improve services, challenge stigma and make mental health a priority.
Very rarely, people can suffer a mental health condition known as delusional parasitosis, which manifests as a firm belief that they have a persistent itch due to an infestation of insects, usually on the skin.
Natalie added: “Delusional parasitosis (DP) is an extremely rare condition which can be incredibly distressing as the sufferer believes insects are on their body and can become agitated if pest professionals and medical experts are unable to find evidence that supports their belief.
“Living with a pest infestation can have severe mental health implications, so it is important to take quick action and consult a BPCA member who will have the training, experience and tools to deal with the issue as quickly, safely and effectively as possible.”
Pest problems can be more common than many people realise.
The No Small Matter report found that pest management firms are estimated to have attended more than 4.4 million client jobs in 2025 - more than 12,000 every day, across homes, high streets, hospitals, schools, warehouses, farms and transport hubs in every region of the United Kingdom.
BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA’s Codes of Best Practice.
To find a BPCA member visit: bpca.org.uk/find.
Mind has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday – Friday), as well as information pages for vital information about living with a mental health problem you can access by visiting mind.org.uk.
Plus, their online mental health community Side by Side is a safe space where anyone aged 18 and over with experience of a mental health problem can share their story, connect with others, access Mind’s wider information and resources, and give support in return. Find out more at sidebyside.mind.org.uk/.
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