Reports of bedbug infestations have surged across various public and private settings in the United Kingdom, affecting hotels, public transportation, workplaces, and even media offices, according to experts and pest control companies.
Hannah Stephenson, a travel content creator, experienced a severe bedbug infestation while staying at a Travelodge hotel in Cambridge. After waking up with itchy red welts, Stephenson discovered bedbugs crawling on her bedding. Within days, her bites multiplied to more than 100 across her body, causing intense discomfort and social anxiety. Despite notifying the hotel, she reported receiving minimal assistance, prompting her to take extensive measures at home to eliminate the pests.
The increase in bedbug activity is supported by recent data indicating a rise in confirmed infestations. Pest control firm Rentokil noted a 44% year-on-year increase in bedbug reports in the UK from 2023 to 2025, while another company, JG Pest Control, has responded to over 5,000 bedbug-related service calls in the past 12 months. The spike in cases has led to service disruptions on the Southeastern train network, where six train services were canceled last week due to suspected bedbugs, following previous incidents involving drivers’ cabins.
Experts attribute this trend to several factors, including increasing insecticide resistance. Professor James Logan, Honorary Professor of Medical Entomology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explained that bedbugs have developed genetic variations allowing them to survive conventional chemical treatments, enabling populations to grow despite eradication efforts. Increased travel also facilitates the spread of bedbugs, which commonly hitch rides on clothing and luggage. Environments with frequent occupant turnover, such as hotels, trains, planes, and hospitals, are particularly vulnerable.
Further complicating control efforts is the presence of bedbugs in unconventional settings like offices, pubs, and workplaces. A recent infestation at The Guardian newspaper led to staff being allowed to work remotely and the introduction of bedbug monitors—devices designed to attract and trap the insects. Some employees in London workplaces have reportedly avoided coming in due to concerns about infestations at colleagues' homes.
Rising ambient temperatures linked to climate change may also be contributing to the problem by accelerating bedbug reproduction rates. Professor Logan noted that warmer conditions create more favorable environments for bedbugs, potentially increasing their prevalence in homes and public spaces.
Bedbugs feed nocturnally by injecting saliva that numbs the bite area and thins the blood, often delaying visible welts for up to a week. This delay can allow populations to establish and multiply undetected. Infestations typically develop over four to five weeks, as bedbugs reproduce rapidly and inhabit common resting areas such as bedding, mattresses, and clothing.
Health authorities recommend laundering affected clothing and bedding at 60 degrees Celsius followed by high-temperature tumble drying. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags and frozen for up to three weeks to kill the insects.
The growing prevalence of bedbugs and their resilience has raised concerns for public health and nuisance, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and improved control measures in a range of environments.