What the council offers
Hammersmith and Fulham Council treats bedbugs in homes. Its bedbugs page says treatment is two visits, three weeks apart. The visits cover bedrooms and any other affected rooms.
An adult must be present throughout each visit. Afterwards, you get an advice sheet that names the insecticide used, where it was placed and what precautions to take. Keep that sheet, because it helps if you need a repeat visit.
The council’s pest control prices page lists £312 for two visits covering two bedrooms when checked in October 2026. It also lists £26 per additional room and £156 per additional visit. Prices can change, so confirm them before you book.
The bedbugs page also has a detailed preparation list. In particular, it asks you to:
- remove items from walls
- move beds and furniture away from walls
- remove headboards
- empty bed storage and under-bed items
- remove bedding
- empty wardrobes and drawers
Our guide to getting ready for treatment adds practical tips on bagging and washing. The NHS tells anyone who thinks they have bed bugs to contact their local council or a pest control service. It also says clearing them yourself is very difficult.
If you rent
Many people in the borough rent from private landlords or agents. If bed bugs appear, write to your landlord straight away with the date, photos and any bite records. Ask for a treatment date, and keep every reply.
Citizens Advice explains that you can ask the council to check your rented home if your landlord will not act. The council may serve notices on the landlord where it finds hazards. Citizens Advice also says council inspections are free.
Check the council’s housing pages for the current reporting process. Our renters and landlords guide explains who normally arranges and pays for treatment.
Flats and shared buildings in Hammersmith and Fulham
Much of the borough is built from Victorian terraces split into flats. Riverside developments and estates add shared stairwells, lifts and bin stores. In both kinds of building, bed bugs can travel through floors, walls and shared routes.
As a result, treating only one flat can leave the cause untouched. Ask the contractor to inspect neighbouring flats if you can arrange access. For example, a quick look at the flat below can show whether bugs have spread.
Our post on how to check a London flat for bed bugs walks through the inspection step by step. It is useful before you sign a new tenancy, and again before you move furniture in.
Travel, commuting and visitors
Hammersmith and Fulham has major tube, bus and rail links, and many residents travel daily. Bed bugs mostly spread through homes and hotels, but bags and coats can carry them. Meanwhile, bags left on the floor or seat give them a chance to hitch a ride.
Our post on bed bugs and public transport in London explains the real risk and simple habits. Keep bags off beds, check them at the door and wash fabric hot. However, do not panic over a single seat, since a home source is more likely.
Hotels and short lets here also see regular turnover. Our hotels and short lets guide sets out what operators should do within the first day.
Getting a fair inspection
Ask for an inspection before a price, because a quote without a visit is guesswork. A technician should check mattress seams, headboards, bed frames, sofas and skirting boards. They should write down which rooms need treatment.
Our London bed bug treatment guide lists good questions to ask. Ask how many visits the price includes and what happens if bugs return. Furthermore, check what you must do to prepare each room.
After treatment
Treatment is not the end of the job. Bed bugs can survive a first visit, so watch for new bites, spots or live bugs over the following weeks. Keep your notes up to date, because they help if you need a repeat visit.
Our after-treatment monitoring guide explains what to check and for how long. Ask your contractor what follow-up they include, since that varies between firms.
Next steps
Take these steps in order:
- Confirm bed bugs with live bugs, skins or dark spots.
- Tell your landlord or agent in writing.
- Check the council’s current pest pages, then book an inspection.
- Prepare using our preparing for treatment guide.
Neighbours can add useful detail. What Kensington and Chelsea residents can expect explains how the Royal Borough describes its service. Similarly, the Wandsworth area guide covers your southern neighbour across the river.
Questions about bed bugs in Hammersmith and Fulham
Does Hammersmith and Fulham Council treat bed bugs?
Yes, the council treats bedbugs in homes. Treatment is two visits, three weeks apart, and an adult must be present throughout each visit. When checked in October 2026, the council listed £312 for two visits covering two bedrooms.
My landlord ignores bed bugs. What can I do?
Write to your landlord or agent with dates and photos, and keep copies. Citizens Advice says you can ask the council to inspect a rented home when a landlord will not act. Check the council site for its current reporting route.
I am a council tenant. Should I treat bed bugs myself first?
Report the problem to your landlord in writing straight away and keep a copy. Do not throw out bedding or furniture before someone has inspected, because that can spread bugs. Escalate in writing if nothing happens.
Can I pick up bed bugs on the tube or bus?
It is possible, though homes and hotels are more common sources. Bugs ride on bags and clothing. Check your bag and coat when you get home, and wash clothes hot.
Sources and further checks
Open each source before you act, because council services, prices, tenancy rules and product labels can change. We list the pages this guide relied on when it was last checked.