News

Rats, mice and fleas among hundreds of pest call-outs at Welsh hospital

07 Aug 2026 2 minute read

Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Emergency Department. Photo via Google

Richard Evans, Local Democracy Reporter

Rats, mice, and fleas were amongst the most common reasons pest control was called out 359 times to a north Wales hospital in a four-year period.

The figures were presented in a response to a Freedom of Information application request which revealed Ysbyty Glan Clwyd called out pest control 91, 92, 131, and 45 times in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board data also revealed Glan Clwyd hospital had had problems with ants, flies, birds, and wasps.

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

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

Ysbyty Gwynedd, meanwhile, 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.

Amongst the higher numbers at smaller hospital were Rhyl Alexandra Hospital, which had called pest control out 70 times in the same four years, Llandudno with 91, Colwyn Bay with 51, Abergele with 106, and Bryn y Neuadd with 93.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported earlier this year that rats had been spotted at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in February after “chewing” through walls.

The rats were reported at the Ivor Lewis building, a pre-operation assessment clinic for patients awaiting surgery.
Stuart Keen, Director of Environment and Estates for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We would note that the information referenced relates to a Freedom of Information response published in 2024 and reflects activity up to that period.

“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. 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.”

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