3:59pm Monday 17th March 2008
CHARGES to get rid of bed bugs and vermin are to rocket as part of a hike of council fees and charges in Southampton.
Residents with a five-bedroom house in need of council assistance over the bugs will be charged £135 a visit - up £64.
Previously residents were charged between £50 and £60 depending on the size of their home.
Residents on benefits will face new £10 charges for "treatments" of rats and mice, with an extra £15 for followup visits by pest exterminators.
New charges of up to £83 will also be brought in for spray treatment of fleas or carpet beetles.
They are among a raft of fees and charges that are set to go up by inflation or above next month.
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