25/07/2017
It really shouldn't cost that much. The only treatment that can be guaranteed to rid a property of an established bed bug infestation is heat treatment. It's not cheap but a typical flat would cost under £1000 and comes with guarantees of up to six months. Of course there may be cost to replace furniture on top, but because the heat penetrates all the nooks and crannies of the room and furniture, unless you want to throw furniture out you shouldn't have to. The problem is that councils and housing associations rarely offer heat treatment because of the cost. They can drive you mad - it's the blood sucking thing in your psyche - and many people just can't sleep when they have bed bugs, and that has serious knock on effects on your health and mental and emotional state. So I can understand why the lady took things into her own hands. Some pest control companies spuriously offer guarantees on (much cheaper) insecticide treatments to get the business, and encourage you to throw furniture out. A reputable company will be honest, and not encourage you to throw out or replace any furniture unless the infestation is horrendous. Even then it has to be done properly to avoid spreading the problem. Normally good pest control companies prefer you not to throw furniture out so that the infestation stays concentrated. That makes it easier to treat. Be wary of companies offering guarantees on insecticide treatments for bed bugs. No-one can guarantee to get rid of bed bugs with insecticide for a variety of reasons.... including insecticides not killing the eggs and an inherent resistance to the residuals; be very wary of anyone who does.
A woman from Mitcham says she has spent £5,000 ridding her Circle Housing property heavily infested with bedbugs.