Our pest control service only provides treatment for bedbugs in properties owned by Portsmouth City Council.
Book a treatment
You can book a treatment online, and pay upfront by card.
If you need to pay another way, book a treatment via the city helpdesk on 023 9283 4251 (9am to 4pm weekdays).
You can change or cancel your appointment.
Bedbug treatments are paid for upfront before the initial survey visit.
Initial survey visit
The initial survey visit is carried out to assess the extent of the infestation and determine the level of treatment required. An officer will undertake a full inspection of your property to decide the most appropriate next steps.
If bed bugs are found, the officer will discuss the treatment options with you and arrange a treatment appointment.
If no bed bugs are found during the survey visit, monitoring traps will be installed. You should check the traps and contact us within two weeks if you find evidence of bed bugs. We will review the findings and arrange the appropriate treatment if needed.
Prices
Prices (including VAT):
- standard rate – £198.52 for the first, second and third visit for one room, £31.02 for each additional room
- reduced rate – £124.08 for the first, second and third visit for one room, £18.61 for each additional room (this rate is for customers who receive qualifying benefits including Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support and Universal Credit – you will need to pay the full charge upfront for all treatments, which includes a £10 non-refundable callout charge if treatment isn't carried out)
If you miss an appointment, a £10 call-out charge will be added and must be paid at the next visit. If you miss a second appointment, your treatment will be cancelled and any refund will be subject to a second £10 callout charge.
What you need to do before treatment
The pest officer will advise at time of survey visit what needs to be done if a treatment is needed.
How we treat it
On the first visit, monitoring traps will be placed in the property and advice given.
If follow-up visits are required after the survey we will apply an insecticide, usually in a wet spray form, in and around the infested areas. These insecticides are the safest available and don’t pose risk to people.
After the treatment you will usually notice the number of bed bugs reduce within 2 to 3 days. The treatment is very effective and continues to take effect for around six weeks.
After the treatment:
- don’t vacuum the room for at least 14 days – and longer if possible
- after the treatment has ended and the room is dry, please return to the room and sleep in the bed. The bed bugs need to be enticed to come into contact with the insecticide
Check if you have bed bugs
There are a few signs you may have bed bugs:
- blood spotting on bedding
- brown dropping spots close to where they live and on bedding
- white(ish) un-hatched and hatched eggs
- in heavy infestations, a sweet almond smell is common
- bed bugs are not normally seen during the day
Bed bugs hide themselves in mattresses, within bed frames, under bed bases, within bed headboards, behind loose wallpaper, within paintings, wall sockets, behind wall partitioning, suspended ceilings, skirting boards and on clothing or furnishings – anywhere with a dark crack that provides cover.
Bed bugs are not known to carry disease. However, they feed on human blood, usually at night whilst people are asleep in their beds. These bites cause irritation and itching.
Some people are sensitive to the bites and experience an allergy and inflammation, especially to the arms and shoulders. This can be quite severe and may require medical attention.
What to do if you have bed bugs
Keeping your home clean and tidy will make sure you spot bed bugs at an early stage. Bed bugs can thrive where hygiene standards are poor and house-keeping is sloppy.
It’s difficult to treat bed bugs yourself – you should seek professional help.