Original Research · March 2026
Expat Pest Survey 2026: What 214 Respondents Told Us
We surveyed 214 English-speaking expats living across Spain about their pest experiences — from cockroach encounters and prevention methods to annual costs and emotional impact. This is the most comprehensive dataset on expat pest experiences in Spain.
What Are the Key Findings?
The cockroach gap
87% of expats encounter cockroaches, yet only 48% use gel bait — the single most effective consumer-grade treatment. Most rely on supermarket sprays (71%), which professionals consistently rank as the least effective method for long-term control.
The prevention paradox
49% of respondents only take action after seeing a pest — the reactive approach. Just 6% maintain year-round prevention. Yet among those who use professional services, 78% would recommend it, suggesting the barrier is awareness, not satisfaction.
The hidden cost of surprise
38% of respondents faced unexpected pest-related costs averaging €340 — nearly three times the median annual spend. These include emergency callouts, furniture replacement, and drain repairs. Only 29% factor pest control into their annual household budget.
The coastal premium
Coastal respondents spend 66% more on pest control than inland residents (€148 vs €89 annually) and report 23% higher encounter rates. This aligns with our Pest Risk Index data showing coastal locations scoring significantly higher across all risk factors.
Which Pests Do Expats Encounter Most?
Percentage of respondents who reported encountering each pest at least once
"I thought I'd dealt with cockroaches before — I grew up in Australia. Nothing prepared me for the sheer volume you get in a Spanish coastal apartment in July."
— Respondent, Costa del Sol, 3 years in Spain
How Often and How Severe Are the Encounters?
Cockroach sighting frequency
Among the 87% who have encountered cockroaches (n=186)
Overall pest severity rating
All respondents rated their worst pest experience (n=214)
"The first summer was a shock. By the third summer, you learn to be proactive. Now I do gel bait in May and barely see them."
— Respondent, Valencia, 5 years in Spain
What Prevention Methods Do Expats Use?
Respondents could select multiple methods
DIY vs Professional
When Prevention Starts
"We paid €180 for a professional gel bait treatment in April. Saw literally zero cockroaches all summer. Best money we've spent in Spain."
— Respondent, Málaga, 2 years in Spain
How Much Do Expats Spend on Pest Control?
Annual pest control expenditure across all methods
Annual spend distribution
"I thought pest control would be a minor expense. Then we had an infestation in the holiday rental and the emergency callout plus deep clean cost €600. Now I budget for prevention every year."
— Respondent, Costa Blanca, 6 years in Spain
How Do Pests Affect Expat Quality of Life?
Stress levels from pest encounters
63% combined report moderate to very high stress from pest encounters.
Quality of life impacts
"I genuinely love living in Spain. But the cockroach anxiety in summer is real. I check the kitchen floor with a torch before getting a glass of water at night. Every single night, May through October."
— Respondent, Barcelona, 4 years in Spain
What Do Expats Wish They Had Known Before Moving?
"I wish someone had told me..." — ranked by frequency
How Do Pest Experiences Vary by Region?
74% of coastal respondents agreed that pest pressure is noticeably worse near the sea
Coast vs Inland
South vs North
Regional insight: Southern coastal locations combine the two highest risk multipliers — Mediterranean humidity and ancient infrastructure. Respondents in the Costa del Sol reported the highest encounter rates (94% cockroaches), highest annual spend (€168), and highest stress levels (74%). For a detailed breakdown by city, see our Pest Risk Index.
Full Survey Results — All 47 Questions
Filter by category to explore specific topics
Showing all 47 questions
| Category | Question | Top Response | n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | How long have you lived in Spain? | 1–3 years (29%) | 214 |
| Demographics | What type of property do you live in? | Apartment / flat (47%) | 214 |
| Demographics | Which region of Spain do you live in? | Costa del Sol (24%) | 214 |
| Demographics | Do you own or rent your property? | Own (58%) | 214 |
| Demographics | Is your property a primary or holiday home? | Primary residence (79%) | 214 |
| Encounters | Have you encountered cockroaches in Spain? | Yes (87%) | 214 |
| Encounters | Have you encountered ants in your property? | Yes (72%) | 214 |
| Encounters | Have you encountered mosquitoes indoors? | Yes (68%) | 214 |
| Encounters | Have you encountered mice or rats? | Yes (23%) | 214 |
| Encounters | Have you encountered bed bugs? | Yes (14%) | 214 |
| Encounters | How often do you see cockroaches? | A few times per year (35%) | 186 |
| Encounters | How would you rate the severity of pest issues? | Moderate (38%) | 214 |
| Encounters | When do you see the most pests? | June–September (73%) | 214 |
| Encounters | Where do you most often see cockroaches? | Kitchen (41%) | 186 |
| Encounters | Have you seen cockroaches come from drains? | Yes (62%) | 186 |
| Prevention | What pest control methods do you use? | DIY sprays and traps (71%) | 214 |
| Prevention | Have you used professional pest control? | No (57%) | 214 |
| Prevention | Do you use gel bait products? | Yes (48%) | 214 |
| Prevention | Have you installed drain covers? | No (62%) | 214 |
| Prevention | When do you start pest prevention? | After seeing a pest (49%) | 214 |
| Prevention | Do you do year-round prevention? | No (94%) | 214 |
| Prevention | Have you sealed cracks and entry points? | No (66%) | 214 |
| Prevention | Would you recommend professional treatment? | Yes (78%) | 92 |
| Costs | How much do you spend annually on pest control? | €1–€50 (24%) | 214 |
| Costs | Have you had unexpected pest-related costs? | No (62%) | 214 |
| Costs | What was your largest single pest expense? | €100–€300 (44%) | 81 |
| Costs | Do you factor pest control into your annual budget? | No (71%) | 214 |
| Costs | Would you pay more for a pest-free property? | Yes (67%) | 214 |
| Impact | How stressful do you find pest encounters? | Moderately stressful (42%) | 214 |
| Impact | Have pests affected your outdoor dining? | Yes (44%) | 214 |
| Impact | Have pests caused you to lose sleep? | No (69%) | 214 |
| Impact | Have you felt embarrassed about pests? | No (78%) | 214 |
| Impact | Have pests made you consider relocating? | No (88%) | 214 |
| Impact | Has pest stress caused relationship tension? | No (83%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Were you prepared for pest season intensity? | No (61%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Did you know professional treatment is affordable? | No — I assumed it was expensive (47%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Did you know drain maintenance prevents pests? | No (39%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Can you identify cockroach species in your home? | No (66%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Do you know what gel bait is? | Yes, and I use it (48%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Where do you go for pest control information? | Google search (54%) | 214 |
| Knowledge | Have you asked your comunidad about pest treatment? | No (72%) | 214 |
| Regional | Do pests vary by region in your experience? | Yes, significantly (61%) | 214 |
| Regional | Is your area worse than where you lived before? | Yes, much worse (57%) | 214 |
| Regional | Would pest levels affect your next property choice? | Yes (52%) | 214 |
| Regional | Is pest pressure worse near the coast? | Yes (74%) | 154 |
| Regional | Do older buildings have more pest issues? | Yes, noticeably (68%) | 214 |
| Regional | Have conditions worsened in recent years? | Yes — seasons feel longer (43%) | 143 |
No questions match this category.
How Was This Survey Conducted?
214 English-speaking expats and long-term residents across 9 regions of Spain. Respondents were recruited through expat Facebook groups, online forums (Expat Forum, Spain Guru), and our own email subscriber list. Average time in Spain: 4.7 years.
January–February 2026. The survey was conducted online using a structured questionnaire with 47 questions across 6 categories: demographics, pest encounters, prevention methods, costs, emotional impact, and knowledge gaps.
Results are reported as simple percentages and averages. Regional breakdowns use the respondent's self-reported location. "Coast" includes any respondent within 20km of the Mediterranean or Atlantic coast. "South" includes Andalucía, Murcia, and the Comunitat Valenciana.
Limitations
- Self-selected sample — respondents who have experienced pest issues may be overrepresented.
- Regional distribution skews toward popular expat destinations (Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Barcelona). Northern and inland Spain are underrepresented.
- All data is self-reported. Pest species identification has not been independently verified.
- Cost figures are estimates from memory, not receipts. Actual spend may differ.
- The survey was conducted in English only, excluding non-English-speaking expat communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many expats responded to the pest survey?
214 English-speaking expats living across 9 regions of Spain completed the survey between January–February 2026. Respondents had lived in Spain for an average of 4.7 years.
What percentage of expats encounter cockroaches?
87% of respondents reported encountering cockroaches at least once since moving to Spain. 52% said they encounter them multiple times per year, and 19% reported monthly or more frequent sightings.
How much do expats spend on pest control?
The average annual spend was €127, with a median of €85. 38% experienced unexpected costs averaging €340, including emergency callouts and property damage.
Which region has the worst pest problems?
Costa del Sol respondents reported the highest encounter rates (94%), highest annual spend (€168), and highest stress levels (74%). Coastal southern Spain consistently outperforms all other regions across every pest metric.
Do pests affect quality of life?
63% find encounters moderately to very stressful. 44% have changed outdoor dining habits, 31% have lost sleep, and 12% said pests made them consider relocating within Spain.
What do expats wish they had known before moving?
The top knowledge gap was understanding cockroach season intensity (61%). Other common gaps: professional treatment is affordable (47%), which prevention methods work (43%), and drain maintenance is critical (39%).
Get the Full Report (PDF)
Enter your email to receive the complete survey results as a downloadable PDF, including all response distributions, demographic breakdowns, and regional comparisons.