Wigan is a proud town with a lot going for it. Whether you know it for the DW Stadium, a pie from Galloways, a stroll along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, or a wander around Mesnes Park, there is plenty to love about this corner of Greater Manchester.
But like every town with old buildings, busy food spots, and waterways running through it, Wigan also has pests. Quite a lot of them.
That is not a dig at Wigan. It is just how it works. Pest control in Wigan is always in demand because the town has the exact combination of things that pests love — older housing with gaps and cracks everywhere, a canal system that rats use like a motorway, takeaways and restaurants generating food waste, and a damp North West climate that drives pests indoors for half the year.
If you have found droppings in the kitchen, heard scratching in the loft, spotted a wasp nest in the soffit, or woken up covered in bites you cannot explain, you are not alone. It happens all the time. And the good news is it can be sorted quickly and properly by someone who knows what they are doing.
This page covers everything you need to know about the most common pests in Wigan, how to spot them, how to reduce your risk, and what to do when you need help fast.
Why Wigan Gets So Many Pests
It comes down to four main things:
1. Old Housing
A huge chunk of Wigan’s housing was built in the Victorian and Edwardian era — rows and rows of terraced houses with cavity walls, old drains, and plenty of wear and tear after a hundred-plus years. These houses are full of tiny gaps around pipes, crumbling airbricks, loose mortar, and missing roof tiles. To a rat or a mouse, every single one of those gaps is a front door.
2. The Canal
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs right through Wigan and it is lovely for a walk. But for rats it is even better — it gives them water, cover, and a direct route into neighbourhoods on both sides of the bank. Properties backing onto the canal or near any waterway in the borough are at higher risk of rat activity.
3. The Drains
Wigan’s sewer network is old. Really old in some parts. When underground pipes crack, collapse, or come apart at the joints, rats living in the sewers can squeeze through and come up into the space beneath your floor. According to United Utilities, rats in sewers are extremely common across the North West. A CCTV drain survey is often the only way to find out if this is happening at your property.
4. The Weather
The North West is one of the wettest parts of England according to the Met Office. When it is cold and wet outside — which in Wigan is basically October to April — pests head indoors looking for warmth, food, and shelter. That is when most people first notice a problem.
| Pest | One-Line Descriptor | Typical Signs | Quick Prevention Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Rat | By far the number one pest in Wigan — found in drains, walls, lofts, gardens, and outbuildings. | Dark droppings about the size of an olive pit. Scratching in walls or ceilings. Greasy smear marks along skirting boards. Gnaw marks on wood or plastic. Strong sharp smell. | Seal gaps around pipes with steel mesh. Keep bins shut tight. Never leave pet food out overnight. Get a [CCTV drain survey] if you suspect they are coming from underground. |
| House Mouse | Smaller and quieter than rats but breeds incredibly fast — a couple of mice can become dozens in weeks. | Tiny droppings like grains of rice. Scratching or rustling at night. Shredded paper or fabric. Small gnaw marks on food packaging. Musty smell. | Store food in sealed containers. Block gaps — mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a biro pen (6mm). Clear clutter from cupboards and under appliances. |
| Wasps | Nests pop up every summer in lofts, soffits, airbricks, sheds, and garden walls. Can be dangerous if disturbed. | Lots of wasps flying around one spot on the building. A papery grey nest (can grow to the size of a football or bigger). Wasps going in and out of a single hole over and over. | Never try to remove a nest yourself. Check lofts and soffits in spring for small starter nests. Keep food and drinks covered when eating outside. |
| Bed Bugs | A growing problem — mainly in rented flats, student houses, hotels, and anywhere with a high turnover of people. | Small blood spots on sheets. Itchy bites in lines or clusters on arms and legs. Tiny flat brown bugs hiding in mattress seams and bed frames. Sweet sickly smell in bad infestations. | Check second-hand furniture before bringing it home. Wash bedding at 60°C. Inspect mattress seams regularly. Do not try to treat these yourself — they need professional treatment. |
| Cockroaches | Less common in houses but a real problem in takeaways, restaurants, and flats with shared heating or plumbing. | Small brown insects usually spotted at night near cookers and boilers. Droppings that look like black pepper. Musty oily smell. Egg cases tucked into cracks. | Fix dripping taps. Deep-clean behind kitchen appliances regularly. Seal cracks around skirting boards and kitchen units. If you see one, call a professional — there will be more. |
| Grey Squirrel | Common in areas near parks and green spaces like Mesnes Park, Haigh Woodland Park, and the canal corridors. | Loud thumping and scratching in the loft, usually in the morning and late afternoon. Chewed roof timbers and stripped electrical cables. Shredded insulation. Large droppings. | Cut back tree branches that overhang your roof. Fix damaged soffits and fascia boards. Fit mesh over gaps at the roofline. Do not block an entry point until you are sure the squirrel is out. |
| Ants | Mainly a warm-weather nuisance — trails of ants across kitchen floors chasing anything sweet or sticky. | Lines of ants marching along a set path. Tiny piles of fine soil near walls or paving. Flying ants in big numbers on hot summer days. | Wipe up spills straight away. Keep sugary stuff in sealed containers. Seal cracks around doors and windows. Pouring boiling water on an outdoor nest can help in the short term. |
| Fleas | Usually come in on cats or dogs but can also be left behind in carpets by previous tenants or owners. | Itchy bites around ankles and lower legs. Tiny dark brown jumping insects on carpets or pet bedding. Pets scratching more than usual. Black specks (flea dirt) in pet fur. | Use vet-approved flea treatment on pets regularly. Vacuum carpets and soft furniture often. Wash pet bedding at 60°C. If moving into a new place, get the carpets treated before you settle in. |
| Pigeons | Mostly a problem around Wigan town centre, commercial buildings, flat roofs, and railway areas. | Loads of droppings on ledges and windowsills. Nesting material in gutters. Constant cooing. Blocked gutters and drains from nesting mess. | Fit bird spikes or netting. Do not feed pigeons. Clear nesting material regularly. Wear gloves and a mask if you need to clean up droppings — they carry diseases. |
| Foxes | Found all over Wigan — more of an annoyance than a danger but they can make a real mess. | Knocked-over bins and scattered rubbish. Strong musky smell. Fox poo on lawns and paths. Digging under sheds and in flower beds. Loud screaming at night especially in winter. | Use fox-proof bins or strap lids down with bungee cords. Do not leave food waste outside. Block gaps under sheds and decking with wire mesh. Pick up fallen fruit from the garden. |
Pest control in Wigan covers the whole borough. We work across:
- Wigan Town Centre
- Standish
- Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Hindley and Hindley Green
- Ince-in-Makerfield
- Pemberton
- Orrell
- Billinge
- Leigh
- Tyldesley
- Atherton
- Golborne
- Lowton
- Aspull
- Shevington
- Platt Bridge
- Abram
Frequently Asked Questions — Pest Control in Wigan
“How much does pest control cost in Wigan?”
It depends on the pest and how bad the problem is. Rough ballpark:
- Rats or mice : usually from around £140–£220 for a standard house. Can be more if drain work is needed.
- Wasp nest removal: around £65–£120 for a single nest.
- Bed bugs: from around £200–£400 depending on how many rooms are affected.
- Cockroaches: from around £150–£300 depending on severity.
We always give you a clear fixed price after inspection. No call-out fees and no hidden extras. [Get in touch for a quote]
“Does Wigan Council offer free pest control?”
Wigan Council does offer some pest control services but what is available and what they charge changes from time to time. For some pests and some households there may be a reduced cost or free service. However council services can have longer waiting times and they do not always include proofing work. If you want it sorted quickly and properly a private pest control service in Wigan is usually the faster option.
“Who do I call about rats in Wigan?”
Rats are on public land — streets, parks, alleyways — you can report it to Wigan Council. If in your house or garden you will need to arrange your own pest control. If you rent from the council or a housing association contact your landlord first. you are a private tenant check with your landlord — they may be responsible depending on the cause. Not sure? [Call us] and we will point you in the right direction.
“Is my landlord responsible for pest control?”
It depends on why the pests are getting in. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 your landlord has to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair. If rats are getting in through a hole in the wall or a broken drain then yes that is the landlord’s problem to fix. If the pests are there because of something the tenant has done — like leaving food waste everywhere — then the tenant might be on the hook. Shelter has a good guide if you are not sure where you stand.
“Can I just sort it myself with stuff from the shop?”
For a trail of ants or a few flies you probably can. But for rats, mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, or a wasp nest — honestly no. The stuff you buy in shops is much weaker than professional-grade treatments, and more importantly it does not fix the actual problem which is how the pests are getting in. If you want it properly sorted so it does not keep coming back you need professional pest control in Wigan.
“I run a food business in Wigan. Do I need pest control?”
Yes. It is not optional. Under UK food hygiene law every food business has to have proper pest control measures in place. The Food Standards Agency makes it clear that you need to prevent pest access, keep the premises clean, and keep records of pest control activity. If an inspector finds evidence of pests you could lose your food hygiene rating or even be shut down. Most restaurants, takeaways, cafes, and bakeries in Wigan use a contract pest control service with regular visits and emergency cover. If you do not have one set up yet [get in touch and we can talk you through it]