The Short Answer
On our estimates, an insecticide treatment for bed bugs costs about £150 to £400 for a typical home, and heat treatment with insecticide £1,000 to £1,500. Extra rooms add £40 to £65 each.
The NHS says bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of yourself, so get a professional or your council in early. Some councils treat after a free survey: Manchester City Council charged from £148 when we checked in October 2026.
Bed bug treatment prices
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Insecticide treatment, typical home | £150 to £400 |
| Heat treatment with insecticide (up to three bedrooms) | £1,000 to £1,500 |
| Each extra room | £40 to £65 |
We estimate an inspection on its own at about £60. I'd ask whether a follow-up visit is included.
Heat, spray or steam?
There are three main methods: heat treatment, chemical sprays and dry steaming. Heat is the most expensive. Heat and steam are the most effective, and the safest choice if you have pets.
The NHS adds that bed bugs can be resistant to some insecticides, which is part of why they're hard to clear. I'd ask any pest controller what they'll use, how many visits it includes, and what you need to do to prepare.
How to tell it's bed bugs
The NHS describes bed bugs as dark yellow, red or brown, with adults around 5mm long. The signs:
- bites on skin that's exposed while you sleep, such as the face, neck and arms, often in a line or group;
- spots of blood on your bedding;
- small brown spots (their droppings) on bedding or furniture.
They hide on bed frames, mattresses, clothing and furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper.
What the NHS says you can do
If you think you have bed bugs, the NHS says to contact your local council or a pest control service. While you wait, it suggests you:
- wash affected bedding and clothing at 60C and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes;
- put clothing and items that can't be washed in a bag in the freezer for 2 to 3 weeks;
- clean and vacuum regularly;
- don't keep clutter around the bed;
- don't bring secondhand furniture indoors without checking it carefully;
- check luggage and clothing when you get back from somewhere that had bed bugs.
It's blunt that these steps are unlikely to get rid of bed bugs completely on their own.
Council treatment
Some councils treat bed bugs. Manchester City Council charged from £148 for a standard home after a free survey when we checked, and treats houses in multiple occupation as commercial work, with all the rooms done at once and arranged through the landlord. Councils set their own terms, so check yours. For other pests, see pest control prices.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does bed bug treatment cost?
On our estimates, £150 to £400 for an insecticide treatment of a typical home, or £1,000 to £1,500 for heat treatment.
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
The NHS says it's very difficult: they're hard to find and can be resistant to some insecticides. Its washing, freezing and vacuuming steps help but are unlikely to clear them completely.
Is heat treatment worth it for bed bugs?
It costs more (£1,000 to £1,500 on our estimates). Heat and steam are the most effective methods; ask what follow-up is included whichever you choose.
Does the council treat bed bugs?
Some do: Manchester charged from £148 after a free survey when we checked. Check your own council.
What do bed bug bites look like?
The NHS says they appear on skin exposed while you sleep, such as the face, neck and arms, often in a line or group.
How we priced thisView sources (2, 2 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- OfficialPest control: our treatment charges, Manchester City Council. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- OfficialBedbugs (reviewed 1 May 2026), NHS. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
