How much bed bug treatment costs

Typical prices

Fantastic Services puts chemical treatment at £350 to £550 per room, over two or three visits, and heat treatment at £500 to £800 per room, in one visit. Treating a whole flat or house costs £700 to £2,000, with a one-bed flat at £700 to £1,100 and a two-bed at £900 to £1,400. London and the South East cost about 10 to 20% more.

Other guides give much lower figures. PestPro Index says £150 to £300 per room for chemical treatment and £300 to £600 for heat, and howmuchshoulditcost says £200 to £850, averaging £400. The spread between guides is about two to three times, so the method and the number of rooms matter more than any single figure.

Why prices vary so much

Heat is dearer per room but takes one visit, while chemical treatment is cheaper per room but takes two or three visits and four to six weeks. The number of rooms, the size of the property and the level of infestation all change the price. Ask whether a quote is for heat or chemical treatment, per room or for the whole home, and whether the follow-ups are included.

For what each method involves, see our bed bug treatment page.

What costs extra

Preparation is usually your job, not the firm's: washing fabrics, tumble-drying and decluttering are excluded from quotes. Ask whether a return visit is free if bugs reappear, and for how long. Reputable firms offer follow-ups and often a guarantee, but ask for the period in writing.

Council bed bug treatment

Most councils treat bed bugs, usually for a fee that depends on the size of the property. Test Valley charges £151 for up to three bedrooms, with 75% off for council-tax-exempt households, and Lancaster charges by property size with a 50% concession. See council pest control for the fee in your area. Ask your council before you book a private firm.

Comparing quotes

Get at least two written quotes. Check the method, the number of rooms, the number of visits, the guarantee and what you must do beforehand. If you rent, the housing hazard duty does not depend on blame, so report in writing early, and ask your landlord. Before you pay, check you have bed bugs with the identification guide, because bites alone prove nothing. For small signs, see the DIY guide.