The short answer
In London, getting rid of bed bugs usually costs about £300 to £700 for a course of spray or steam treatment in a flat, or £750 to £2,000 for heat treatment, depending on the number of bedrooms. Some councils charge less: Hounslow charges £300 for two visits. Prices outside London are roughly 10 to 20% lower.
Bed bug treatment is one of those jobs where the advertised price and the final bill can be far apart. A firm that says “from £199” may mean one visit to one room, when most homes need two or three visits to the whole flat. This guide sets out what Londoners typically pay, and why.
All figures are typical ranges from published price guides, a London firm’s price list and council fee pages, read in October 2026. They are a guide, not a quote.
The short version: London prices
| Treatment | Studio or 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council (where offered) | £300 to £360 | £300 to £360 | £360 to £375 |
| Spray or steam, full course | £300 to £550 | £320 to £600 | £360 to £700 |
| Heat treatment | £750 to £1,300 | £950 to £1,650 | £1,200 to £2,000 |
Council prices are from Hounslow (£300 for two visits to up to two rooms, from April 2026) and Haringey (£360 for up to three rooms, from April 2025). Private prices are rounded from the London and South East column of the Fantastic Services guide, MyBuilder and Checkatrade, plus one London firm’s price list.
Why there is such a range
The method
Spray treatment uses insecticide on the bed, furniture and skirting. It is the cheapest per visit, but the eggs often survive, so a second and sometimes a third visit about two weeks apart is normal.
Steam kills bugs and eggs on contact and is often combined with a residual spray. It is labour-intensive but needs no special equipment beyond the steamer.
Heat treatment raises the whole room above the temperature bed bugs and eggs can survive. It usually needs one visit, but the equipment, power and time on site make it the most expensive option. See heat treatment in London for what happens on the day.
The size of the home and the spread
Most firms price by bedrooms, because bed bugs live where people sleep. A one-room problem caught early can sometimes be treated for less; a flat where they have reached the sofa, the curtains and the next bedroom costs more.
London itself
London prices run higher than the rest of the country. Fantastic Services puts London and the South East roughly 10 to 20% above elsewhere. Parking, travel time and the Congestion Charge (£15 a day inside the zone) all add up, and some firms add a surcharge for central London. One London firm we checked adds £30.
The building
Flats on high floors with no lift, older conversions where the wiring cannot take heat equipment, and blocks with strict access rules all add time. In an HMO or a block, the price may include checking or treating neighbouring rooms.
Extras
- Inspection: about £60 to £150 on its own; often deducted if you book.
- Extra follow-up visits: about £50 to £150 each.
- Detection dog survey: about £350 to £450, mainly for larger buildings.
- Mattress encasements: £20 to £50 each, according to MyBuilder.
Is the council cheaper?
Often, yes, if your borough still offers it. Not every London council does, and those that do usually treat with insecticide over two visits rather than heat. Hounslow charges £300 and no longer gives concessions. Haringey charges £360, or £215.50 for some residents on benefits. Check your own council’s website for current fees.
If you rent from the council or a housing association, report it to your landlord first. They often arrange treatment themselves.
What about doing it yourself?
Shop-bought sprays, powders and foggers cost £50 to £150 and rarely work. NHS guidance is that home methods seldom finish the job. Worse, sprays and foggers tend to drive bugs into other rooms or the flat next door, which makes the eventual professional job bigger and dearer.
While you wait for a specialist, the NHS steps are still worth following: a 60°C wash and long hot tumble dry for bedding and clothes, and a sealed bag for anything that cannot be washed.
How to compare two quotes
Ask each firm, in writing:
- The total price, not the price per visit.
- How many visits are included, and how far apart.
- Which rooms are treated, and whether the sofa is included.
- The method, and the products used.
- What happens if bites continue after the last visit. Is a return visit free?
- Whether VAT is included. Smaller firms may not be VAT registered.
- Trade body membership and insurance. The BPCA recommends using a member firm.
A slightly dearer quote that includes three visits and a check is often better value than a cheap one-visit price.
Who pays if you rent?
Usually the landlord, particularly if the bed bugs were there when you moved in or have come from another flat in the building. The NRLA advises landlords to pay and act quickly because the source is so hard to prove. Our guide to bed bugs and landlord responsibility explains more.
Work out your own price
The London price calculator gives a range for your home by bedrooms and method. For a fixed price, a specialist needs to see the property; we can find one who covers your borough.