‘Like a Horror Movie’: Hundreds of Thousands of Cockroaches Found Inside UK Home

A South Wales property was found to have hundreds of thousands of cockroaches in one of the worst infestations a pest controller had seen in 38 years.

A home in Pontypridd, South Wales, was discovered to be suffering from an extraordinary cockroach infestation, with pest control experts estimating that hundreds of thousands of insects were removed from the property.

The infestation was described by experienced pest controller Gareth Davies as one of the worst cases he had encountered during his 38 years in the industry. He compared the scene inside the four-bedroom shared property to something from a horror film.

The discovery highlights concerns about increasing cockroach activity in some urban areas of Britain and the challenges faced by residents and pest control professionals when large infestations become established.

Cockroaches found throughout the property

The severe infestation came to light after neighbouring properties began reporting sightings of cockroaches. According to Davies, residents in nearby homes had never previously experienced the problem.

When his team entered the shared property, they found the building heavily infested with German cockroaches.

Davies said his team used specialist vacuum equipment to remove huge numbers of insects before beginning a chemical treatment programme.

"We must have hoovered up hundreds of thousands of cockroaches with specialist equipment and then treated it," he said.

The insects were reportedly found gathering in large numbers in a variety of locations around the property. Cockroaches were discovered around fridge seals, plug sockets, toasters, microwaves and other areas where they could remain hidden.

The scale of the infestation shocked the pest control team.

Davies described the situation as "absolutely horrendous" and said it was like something from a Stephen King film.

Why German cockroaches can be difficult to control

The insects were identified as German cockroaches, scientifically known as Blattella germanica.

German cockroaches are among the most common cockroach species found in indoor environments. They can thrive in warm buildings where they have access to food, water and hiding places.

Unlike some cockroach species that may spend more time outdoors, German cockroaches are particularly associated with indoor environments.

They can hide in small cracks, cupboards, appliances and other difficult-to-reach spaces. In shared accommodation and larger residential buildings, an established infestation can also be difficult to contain because insects may move between rooms or properties.

Their ability to reproduce quickly can make the problem even more challenging.

Treatment took several weeks

Removing visible cockroaches was only the first step in tackling the Pontypridd infestation.

After using specialist vacuum equipment, the pest control team applied a high-potency insecticide. The treatment initially appeared to make the infestation even more visible.

Davies explained that cockroaches began emerging from conduit pipes, plug sockets and appliances after the insecticide was applied.

The property was treated repeatedly over a five-week period, with further treatment expected because of the depth of the infestation.

Although the number of cockroaches had been dramatically reduced, pest controllers were still finding approximately 10 to 20 insects a week in specialist monitoring traps.

That continuing activity was considered unsurprising given how extensive the original infestation had been.

Are cockroach infestations increasing in the UK?

Davies said he had noticed a dramatic increase in the number of cockroach-related jobs handled by his company.

He recalled dealing with only a handful of cockroach infestations each year around five years ago. Over the previous 12 months, however, he said his company had handled hundreds of cases.

He had already dealt with six cockroach jobs during the month in which the Pontypridd property was treated.

Davies believes warmer weather could be one factor contributing to increased cockroach activity.

Cockroaches generally thrive in warm conditions, and higher temperatures can help them remain active and reproduce more rapidly.

However, experts caution against attributing any increase to weather alone.

What the British Pest Control Association says

Natalie Bungay, head of technical at the British Pest Control Association, said the organisation had heard reports of increased cockroach activity in some urban areas, including Cardiff.

However, she stressed that there was not enough evidence to conclude that cockroach numbers had increased across the whole of Wales.

Instead, she suggested that several factors could be involved.

Cockroaches are particularly successful in busy, densely populated buildings where they can find warmth, food, water and plenty of places to hide.

Shared housing, apartment blocks and other buildings with multiple occupants can therefore present challenges for pest control.

Once cockroaches become established in a block of flats, they can potentially move between individual properties, making eradication more complicated.

Bungay also noted that warmer weather may contribute to increased activity, but other factors are important too. Heating systems, building design, hygiene standards and the movement of people and goods can all influence the spread and survival of German cockroaches.

How cockroaches can enter homes

Cockroaches are highly adaptable insects and can enter properties in several ways.

They can potentially be carried into buildings in bags, luggage, food packaging, second-hand appliances and other items. In shared accommodation, they may also move between rooms or neighbouring properties.

Once inside, they can hide in warm and protected locations, particularly where food and water are readily available.

This means that simply removing a few visible cockroaches does not necessarily solve an infestation. A much larger population could be hiding out of sight.

Signs of a possible infestation can include seeing cockroaches during the day, finding droppings, discovering shed skins or egg cases, noticing an unusual smell, or finding insects around kitchen appliances and plumbing areas.

What should you do if you find cockroaches?

Anyone who discovers cockroaches in their home should avoid ignoring the problem, particularly if sightings become frequent.

Keeping food sealed, cleaning up spills and crumbs, reducing clutter and fixing sources of excess moisture can help make a property less attractive to pests.

However, established infestations may require professional pest control.

This is particularly important in shared accommodation or apartment buildings, where treating one room or property may not be enough if cockroaches have spread elsewhere.

The Pontypridd case demonstrates just how quickly a hidden cockroach problem can become a major infestation.

What initially goes unnoticed can eventually involve huge numbers of insects living behind appliances, inside structural gaps and in other concealed areas.

For residents, early detection and professional advice can be crucial in preventing a manageable pest problem from becoming a far more serious one.

Source

BBC Wales on 9 September 2026.

Disclaimer

This article does not constitute professional pest control, health or safety advice. Estimates concerning the number of cockroaches and details of the infestation are based on statements attributed to the pest controller in the original reporting and should not be interpreted as an independently verified insect count. For a serious or persistent cockroach infestation, readers should contact a qualified pest control professional.