Check your council first
GOV.UK says you can ask your local council whether it offers pest control, although it may charge a fee. You can also hire a private pest controller. So your first job is to find out which route exists where you live.
Council help varies a lot. For example, Manchester City Council lists bed bug treatment from £148 and starts with a free survey. Nottingham City Council says it does not offer a pest control service (both checked October 2026). Our Manchester area guide and Nottingham area guide show the wording, and the post on whether councils treat bed bugs compares more cities.
Look for a real inspection
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says an in-depth survey is crucial, and that no treatment is fully effective without one. It also warns about firms that quote by phone and spray the next day with no survey. Therefore, ask how a provider will confirm bed bugs before they recommend treatment.
Bites alone do not prove an infestation, because other things cause similar marks. Look for physical signs instead, such as live bugs, cast skins or dark spots. Our inspection guide and the post on signs of bed bugs and where they hide explain what a technician should find.
- What physical evidence confirms the pest?
- Which rooms and furniture will you inspect?
- Will you write down the findings?
Check training and standards
BPCA says its members hold training and qualifications, while the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) says it checks every TrustMark Registered Business. BPCA assesses its members regularly against the British Standard BS EN 16636, and each TrustMark business commits to technical standards and fair trading. Both are useful signals.
However, a badge does not replace a good proposal. Ask for the trading name, the technician's training and proof of public liability insurance, then read the written scope. This site does not endorse any contractor, and membership alone cannot tell you whether a quote fits your home.
Compare the whole service
A low treatment-only price can leave out the inspection, the return visits and the monitoring. As a result, two quotes can look far apart while they cover different work. Ask each firm to list the rooms, visits, method, preparation tasks and warranty terms.
Then compare the lists side by side, because that shows what each price buys. The cost guide shows what changes a quote, and the questions to ask page gives you a checklist for the call. If a firm cannot explain its method, ask why. Our guide to treatment methods will help you judge the answer.
Ask how follow-up works
Bed bugs rarely vanish in one visit. Manchester, for example, says it cannot guarantee complete eradication, but it will return within 28 days if you tell it the bugs came back. Leeds covers up to three treatments for its fee.
A private firm should set out its own revisit terms in writing, because otherwise you cannot tell what happens if bugs reappear. Ask when the first review takes place and what you should do in the meantime.
When you are ready for help
If you want a professional to contact you, use the bed bug help request form. We record your enquiry and pass it to a pest professional who covers your postcode. Since sending it does not commit you to any work, you can compare what comes back.
The privacy page explains how we use your details. However, before you agree to anything, compare the written scope against the checklist above.
Frequently asked questions
Does my council treat bed bugs?
It depends on the council. Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield charge for treatment, while Nottingham and Cardiff say they do not treat bed bugs and Belfast offers appointments for rats and mice only (checked October 2026). Check your own council's page, because services change.
Is a BPCA or NPTA member always the right choice?
Not always, although membership shows the firm meets published standards. You still need to check the scope, the insurance and the follow-up plan. A clear written proposal matters more than a logo.
Can I treat bed bugs myself?
The NHS says some steps, such as a 60C wash, are unlikely to remove bed bugs completely, because the bugs hide well. BPCA adds that amateur products can make the problem worse by pushing bugs into other rooms. So contact your council or a professional early, and read our post on DIY treatment and what backfires.
What should a written quote include?
It should list the rooms, the number of visits, the method, your preparation tasks and the warranty terms. It should also say when the follow-up happens, because you need that date to judge the result. If any item is missing, ask for it in writing.
Sources and further checks
Open the source before acting on information that may change, including council services, prices, tenancy rules and product labels. Each link below goes to the organisation that publishes the original guidance.