Figures revealed by LeicestershireLive show nearly 230 infestations reported in less than a year
Bed bugs can easily latch onto different fabrics, such as clothes, and travel from place to place(Image: GETTY)
The thought of tiny insects crawling across your skin while you sleep is enough to make anyone feel jumpy. But for hundreds of Leicester residents this year, that nightmare has become reality as bedbugs have infested their homes.
If you’re already itching at the mere thought, you might want to look away now. That’s because new data has revealed exactly which Leicester postcodes are most likely to bring you face-to-face with these blood-sucking pests.
We obtained figures from Leicester City Council showing pest control service requests broken down by postcode for the period between January 1 and November 14, 2024. The numbers reveal a very different picture from the city’s rat problem.
LE5 – Leicester’s undisputed rat capital with 722 callouts – had the fewest bedbug problems. The postcode covering Hamilton, Evington, Spinney Hills and Thurnby Lodge recorded just 18 bedbug service requests.
LE3, encompassing Braunstone Town, Glenfield, Leicester Forest East and New Parks, saw 26 bedbug callouts. LE4, covering Beaumont Leys, Belgrave and Rushey Mead, recorded 40 requests.
The city centre postcode LE1 came in second place with 51 bedbug-related callouts. But it pales in comparison to the city’s bedbug hotspot.
The undisputed bedbug capital of Leicester is LE2, with 94 service requests in just ten months. The postcode covers Oadby, Knighton, Highfields, Aylestone, Eyres Monsell and Glen Parva – areas experiencing more than five times the bedbug problems of LE5.
In total, Leicester dealt with 229 bedbug callouts during the period. An additional 48 cases were reported between mid-November and the end of December, showing the problem persists into winter when the pests seek warmth indoors.
Top 5 Leicester postcodes for bedbug problems (January – November 2024):
- LE2 (Oadby, Knighton, Highfields, Aylestone, Eyres Monsell, Glen Parva) – 94
- LE1 (City Centre) – 51
- LE4 (Beaumont Leys, Belgrave, Rushey Mead, Birstall, Thurmaston) – 40
- LE3 (Braunstone Town, Glenfield, Leicester Forest East, New Parks, Westcotes) – 26
- LE5 (Hamilton, Evington, Spinney Hills, Thurnby Lodge, Crown Hills, Stoneygate) – 18
Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate once established, with the apple seed-sized insects able to survive months without feeding. Signs of infestation include blood spots on bedding, a distinctive musty odour, and itchy bite marks often appearing in lines or clusters.
The data also revealed Leicester dealt with 66 cockroach infestations during the same period, with LE2 again recording the highest number at 28 cases. Residents concerned about bedbugs or other pest infestations should contact Leicester City Council’s environmental health team for advice and treatment options.