Birmingham has been identified as the UK’s leading hotspot for rat infestations, with one postcode witnessing a staggering 950% increase in call-outs to pest control experts.
Data from JG Pest Control reveals that the B postcode area logged 315 rat-related call-outs in the 12 months leading up to August 2026 - the highest figure recorded in any UK postcode.
The city also ranks notably high for mouse infestations. There were 212 calls related to mouse issues across Birmingham’s B postcodes, making it the second worst region outside London according to the company’s figures.
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This dataset is based on confirmed visits by JG Pest Control’s engineers to genuine pest control jobs, rather than surveys or estimated infestation rates. An interactive map allows users to explore details from county level down to individual postcode districts. It compares completed pest control visits over a recent six-month period-from 7 February to 7 August 2026-and contrasts this with the same period the previous year.
Among the most affected areas, the B15 postcode - encompassing Edgbaston and Westside, including parts of Broad Street and the inner city west/south-west of Birmingham city centre - saw an explosive 950% rise, with 21 pest control call-outs.
Similarly, the B28 postcode, covering Hall Green in south-east Birmingham and neighbouring neighbourhoods like Yardley Wood and parts of Stratford Road, experienced a 227% increase with 16 call-outs.
The B21 area, which includes Handsworth and Handsworth Wood in north-west Birmingham, recorded a 143% rise with 20 call-outs. Additionally, B14 and B26 postcodes, covering areas such as Kings Heath, Yardley Wood, Sheldon, and parts of Gilbertstone and Lyndon, both saw their call-outs double, each with 12 visits registered.
James Gale, Managing Director of JG Pest Control, commented: “Birmingham really stands out in our data. Recording more rat call-outs than any other UK postcode demonstrates the significant rodent pressure across the city.
“What is particularly noticeable is that rodents are no longer just an autumn and winter problem. We continue to attend considerable numbers of rat and mouse cases even through the warmer months.
“Dense urban environments offer rodents abundant opportunities for food, shelter, and movement between properties. For both residents and businesses, identifying the ways rodents access properties and addressing the root causes is just as crucial as treating the immediate infestation.”
For a broader national perspective, JG Pest Control analysed trends comparing 1 June to 5 August 2026 with the same period in 2025, revealing similar dynamics across the country.