Mice around pipework and concealed gaps
Mice can enter through small openings and move through cupboards, pipework and building voids. Wigan Council lists mice among pests treated for eligible council-housing tenants.
Greater Manchester
Pest Control in Wigan
Pest control enquiries in Wigan and across the wider borough, including Ince-in-Makerfield, Leigh, Hindley and Aspull. Contact us about rats, mice, wasps, bed bugs and other pest concerns.
- Family-run
- RSPH-certified
- BPCA-trained
- Fully insured
- Wigan and nearby areas
The town we work in
Wigan at a Glance
Wigan is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. These official statistics cover the whole borough, including Leigh and other communities, rather than Wigan town alone. Housing tenure and population figures are not measures of pest infestation.
347,089
Wigan borough residents (mid-2025)
ONS mid-2025 estimate, released in July 2026, for the entire Metropolitan Borough of Wigan.
143,105
Households (2021 Census)
The 2021 Census recorded 143,105 households across Wigan borough; this is not a current household estimate.
15.9%
Privately rented households (2021)
ONS Census 2021: private renting rose from 11.6% in 2011 to 15.9% in 2021.
17.0%
Socially rented households (2021)
ONS Census 2021: social renting fell from 18.9% in 2011 to 17.0% in 2021.
66.4%
Owner-occupied households (2021)
ONS Census 2021: owned outright or with a mortgage or loan; shared ownership (0.5%) is classified separately.
Year-round
Year-round sewer rodent control
Wigan Council confirms an ongoing sewer-baiting programme throughout the year. This is a council control activity, not a measured infestation rate.
Official sources: Nomis: 2025 Wigan population · ONS: Wigan Census 2021 tenure · ONS: Census 2021 household tenure dataset · Wigan Council: sewer rodent control · ONS: Census 2021 households (TS041)
Local pest pressure
How Wigan Is Affected by Pests
Wigan Council currently provides pest treatment to its council-housing tenants and offers a separate commercial service. Its published pest lists include rats, mice, wasps, cockroaches and bed bugs. The council also confirms year-round sewer rodent control. These facts establish local services and prevention measures, not neighbourhood infestation rates.
Wasps around roofs and outbuildings
Wasps may nest in eaves, lofts and sheds, with colony activity generally increasing through summer. Wigan Council lists wasps among its treated pests; avoid disturbing active nests.
Rats near drains, sewers and waste
Rats can exploit drainage defects, building gaps and accessible food waste. Wigan Council states that it carries out sewer baiting throughout the year as part of borough rodent control. Where rats keep returning, a CCTV drain survey can find the broken pipe they use.
Bed bugs in bedrooms and furnished rooms
Bed bugs may be carried in luggage or second-hand furnishings and hide near beds and upholstered items. Council treatment availability does not indicate how common they are in Wigan.
Cockroaches around warm indoor services
Cockroaches may shelter in warm, concealed spaces near kitchens, appliances and moisture. They appear on Wigan Council’s current pest-treatment list, without a published local prevalence estimate. After an infestation, specialist cleaning removes droppings and egg cases from kitchens.
Commercial food sites and waste areas
Food businesses, schools and commercial premises benefit from sealed entry points, clean storage and regular waste checks. Wigan Council separately advertises commercial pest inspections and treatment; council terms do not describe Clear Pest Control’s services. See our commercial pest control for site contracts.
Official local guidance: Wigan Council: domestic pest services and eligibility · Wigan Council: commercial treatment and sewer baiting · Wigan Council: pest identification guidance (historical document)
Recorded Wigan Council pest-control visits (2024)
An official council disclosure recorded 1,751 mouse-treatment visits, 1,429 indoor-rat visits and 1,041 outdoor-rat visits during 2024. These are treatment visits, not unique infestations or neighbourhood infestation rates; one report can lead to multiple visits.
Source: Wigan Council: FOI disclosure 17488 (2022–2024 treatment visits)
Seasonal pest prevention guidance
Spring
Queen wasps may begin nests as temperatures rise. Ant activity commonly increases from April; keep entry points sealed.
Summer
Ants are commonly active through the warmer months, while wasp colonies develop. Store food and rubbish securely.
Autumn
Ant activity generally eases after October, while wasp colonies decline. Rats and mice remain active year-round.
Winter
Rats and mice remain active throughout the year, and cockroaches can be active indoors in every season. Check gaps and drains.
General UK seasonal guidance, not measured Wigan infestation statistics. Wigan Council identifies ants as mainly active April–October and cockroaches as active year-round; its sewer rodent-control programme also operates year-round. Council pest guidance
What we treat here
Common Pests in Wigan
Outside the town
Nearby Areas We Cover
Explore nearby locations in Greater Manchester. Please confirm technician coverage for your Wigan postcode before booking.
Before you book
Guides for Pests Found in Wigan
Five practical reads about pests that may affect Wigan homes, flats and businesses.
Rodent control
What Causes a Rat Infestation? How Rats Get In and Why They Keep Coming Back
Read article →
Rodent control
Why Do Mice Come Inside? Entry Points, Attractants and How Infestations Start
Read article →
Rodent control
Squirrels in the Loft or Garden: What the Problem Really Looks Like
Read article →
Stinging & flying
Wasp Nests in the UK: Types, Locations and Why Early Season Removal Matters
Read article →
Insects & crawling
How Do You Get Bed Bugs? The Real Causes Behind an Infestation
Read article →More ways we can help
More Than Just Pest Control
Treating the infestation is sometimes only part of the job. These services help put the property right afterwards.
Professional Pest Control
Our approach to treatment and prevention.
Specialist Cleaning
Restoring spaces after contamination.
Drain Surveys & Reports
Finding hidden rat entry routes.
Biohazard Cleaning
Decontamination for sensitive spaces.
Loft Insulation Removal
Insulation spoiled by rodents or squirrels.
Clearance & Cleaning
Clearing difficult properties.
The people behind the work
Know Who You're Trusting With Your Property
Questions
Pest Control in Wigan: FAQs
Do you cover Wigan and the wider borough?
Contact us with your postcode to confirm technician availability for Wigan and nearby areas such as Ince-in-Makerfield, Leigh, Hindley and Aspull.
How quickly can you attend in Wigan?
Appointment times depend on the postcode, technician availability and pest issue. Contact us for the earliest available appointment; same-day service is not guaranteed.
Are the statistics for Wigan town itself?
No. The population and housing statistics above are for the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, which includes Wigan and other towns.
Are rats and mice only active during winter?
No. Wigan Council advises that rats and mice are not limited to a particular time of year. Look for droppings, runs, smears, holes and nests.
Can you help with wasps, cockroaches and bed bugs?
Contact us to discuss the pest, property type and available inspection or treatment options. The approach depends on confirmed activity and access.
More questions? Read our full FAQ or browse our pest advice.
Got a pest problem in Wigan?
Tell us what you have seen and share your Wigan postcode. We will discuss the next steps and available appointments.