How Much Does Pest Control Cost?

Exterminator Cost Factors

There are many different aspects to your exterminator bill. These are the main factors that can affect your cost, with more details on each cost factor in later sections.

Pest Type

Certain pests are more challenging to get rid of and require more expensive treatment methods. You'll also generally pay less for one-time wildlife removal like a bat or raccoon versus dealing with larger infestations, such as termites or roaches. 

Infestation Size

The worse the infestation is, the higher the labor fee since it'll take more time to resolve the issue. Severe infestations may also call for more costly treatments, such as a fumigation.

Accessibility to the Infestation

The less accessible the infestation is, the more time and effort it'll take to address. This will add more hours to your bill and may carry additional fees. There may also be separate repair costs if reaching the infestation requires damaging the walls or flooring. 

Treatment Type 

Treatments vary widely in pricing. Chemical and physical removal methods tend to cost less, while whole-home fumigations cost far more.

Number of Treatments Needed

One-time pest control treatments cost more overall, as the pro will have more work compared to coming in for routine visits. Some infestations will require additional treatments, resulting in extra costs.

Home Size

Some exterminators may charge an extra $25 for every additional 1,000 square feet over 1,500. More square footage can add to the cost, but usually not by much.

Additional Pest Control Prices

Infestations can often lead to residual damages, which can tack on additional cleaning and repair fees. Consider these expenses when planning your pest control budget.

Cleaning

After pest extermination, getting a routine home cleanup costs roughly $120 to $240. You may want to pay a higher cost to deep-clean the home, typically between $200 and $400. 

You’ll see price breakdowns for regular house cleanings, which cost around $75 to $250 per weekly visit. These can also help control clutter and food messes, which might attract pests such as rodents and cockroaches. Contact a local house cleaner or deep-cleaning service near you for a quote. 

Repairs

Unfortunately, when dealing with a pest infestation, parts of your home may see collateral damage ranging from $200 to upwards of $2,800. You might need drywall repairs or flooring replacement, or you may need to replace chewed electrical wires. Repair costs will vary based on the extent of the damage.

You may also need to address the underlying issues that caused the infestation in the first place. For example, burst pipes and leaks can cause moisture problems, which can then attract various pests. In addition, you may want to take proactive measures such as investing in a chimney cap to keep wildlife from entering your home via the chimney.

Here are rough estimates for possible repairs following a pest infestation: 

• Drywall repair costs: $300–$880 

• Electrical rewiring costs: $560–$2,300

• Plumbing repair costs: $150–$350

• Water damage cleanup and restoration prices: $1,240–$5,260

• Flooring repair costs: $200–$570

• Insulation replacement costs: $2–$7 per square foot

• Carpet installation prices: $790–$2,800

Pest Control Treatment Costs

When looking at extermination options, you have physical, chemical, and fumigation methods to choose from. Here’s what you might pay for each of these methods.

Physical

Physical removal of wildlife, beehives, or wasp nests can cost around $300 to $700. However, this varies on a case-by-case basis. The pro can be taking on greater danger by physically removing or killing the pest, resulting in additional charges. 

Chemical

Chemical applications can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per room. These come in the form of powders, sprays, or baits. If you need to leave the house for a few days during treatment, you may need to budget extra costs for lodging. 

Fumigation

Tenting a house for fumigation costs $1 to $4 per square foot. For example, a 2,000-square-foot home costs around $2,000 to $8,000 to tent. You might pay a fraction of that if you don’t need the tent, but this depends on the type of pest and chemicals, as well as the regulations in your area.

Pest Control Costs by Number of Visits 

For a standard 1,500-square-foot home, a monthly or semi-monthly treatment will be the least expensive option, at $40 to $70, while quarterly visits can go for between $100 and $300. A one-time or annual visit tends to mean longer labor hours, so it’s priced accordingly at around $300 to $550.

Pest Control Costs by Infestation Type

Different infestations require lengthier and more costly treatments. Below are the average prices for the most common types of insect infestations: 

• Ant extermination cost: $100–$500

• Bat removal cost: $240–$670

• Bedbug treatment fee: $300–$5,000

• Bee removal price: $450

• Cockroach fumigation cost: $100–$400

• Flea exterminator price: $75–$400

• Mosquito control price: $70–$1,900

• Rodent extermination cost: $180–$540

• Spider extermination cost: $150–$500

• Termite treatment cost: $230–$940

• Wasp extermination fee: $100–$1,300

DIY vs. Hiring a Pest Control Pro

We don't recommend DIY methods if you're dealing with serious invaders such as bedbugs, termites, and roaches. It's important to get a pro to assess the damage they've done and manage their removal immediately. Extermination costs are often far lower than repairing damage to furniture, wiring, walls, or flooring later on. Contact a local pest control company at the first sign of a persistent issue.

However, you can usually resolve the problem yourself if you're dealing with a minor invasion, such as ants or a single mouse. Effective chemical insecticide sprays are available, but these can be dangerous in homes with pets or children. If you're worried about harming your family, use mousetraps, ant hotels, or bug bombs to kill unwanted intruders. If you're not using a "catch and release" method, lethal traps are often more humane than glue traps since they can cause unnecessary suffering for the pest in question.

FAQs

Is paying an exterminator worth it?

Yes, paying for an exterminator is often well worth the cost, especially if dealing with a severe infestation. DIY remedies might work for minor invasions, but professional intervention offers the extra peace of mind that the issue is fully addressed.

Do exterminators give free estimates?

Most exterminators give free estimates, but some may make the estimate free upon signing a regular or recurring service contract.

Which pests require ongoing treatment?

You’ll typically need an exterminator to come on a monthly basis after having a large infestation removed or if you live with persistent bugs. The most common insects that need ongoing treatments include roaches, spiders, termites, ticks, fleas, and ants. Hire a local roach exterminator, local spider exterminator, local flea exterminator, or local ant exterminator to take care of the issue for good. 

Are pesticides safe for pets?

Most chemical pesticides are poisonous to pets, so it's essential to keep them out of reach or find alternatives. Be sure to let your pest control pro know about your pets, as some of the chemicals and products they use can be harmful or even fatal. There's also a risk of your pet ingesting poison when eating dead or dying rodents.

How can you prevent pests in your home?

Proactive pest control is all about removing potential food, habitats, and entry points. Store food in sealed containers and clean up messes right away. It also pays to declutter regularly and maintain a clean home. Lastly, inspect the perimeter of your home regularly for cracks and holes.