Hospitals see hundreds of pest control callouts for rats, fleas and wasps

A hospital in north Wales saw pest control called out more than 350 times in four years, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.

Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, had issues with rats, mice, and fleas between 2021 and 2024.

The data from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers north Wales, revealed other hospitals in the area also had made hundreds of calls because of problems with vermin, ants, flies, birds, and wasps.

The health board, which is under the highest level of oversight, said pest control arrangements "continue to be managed routinely".

According to the FOI, every north Wales hospital is contracted for eight visits a year, but the figures relate to additional call-outs.

The data showed that Ysbyty Glan Clwyd called out pest control 91 times in 2021, 92 in 2022, 131 in 2023 and 45 in 2024.

The major district general hospital with approximately 466 beds also had problems with ants, flies, birds and wasps.

Earlier this year, rats had also been spotted after "chewing" through walls. The rats were reported at a pre-operation assessment clinic for patients awaiting surgery.

Wrexham hospital had similar issues, calling out pest control 314 times in the same period, with rats, flies, wasps, gulls, and pigeons all causing issues.

The breakdown shows Wrexham had 149 call-outs in 2021, 102 in 2022, 45 in 2023, and 18 in 2024.

Meanwhile, Ysbyty Gwynedd had 127 pest control call-outs between 2021 and 2024.

The Bangor hospital faced problems with ants, gulls, flies, wasps, pigeons, rats, and mice, with 26, 42, 36, and 23 call-outs in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively.

Abergele Hospital had the highest number of callouts among the smaller hospitals in the region, calling out pest control 106 times in the same four years.

It was followed by Bryn y Neuadd with 93, Llandudno with 91, Rhyl Alexandra Hospital with 70 and Colwyn Bay with 51.

Stuart Keen, director of environment and estates for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said the "pest control arrangements continue to be managed routinely".

"However, given the size and complexity of our hospital sites, particularly those in rural locations surrounded by open land, occasional pest sightings can occur despite ongoing prevention and monitoring measures," he said.

"We have clear procedures in place to respond promptly and effectively whenever issues are identified."

He added: "Regarding the small number of rat sightings within the Ivor Lewis Building at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd earlier this year, following rapid remedial works we have had no further incidents reported."