How Much Does an Ant Exterminator Cost in 2024?

Average Ant Exterminator Cost

Ant Exterminator Cost Factors

Several factors affect the total cost of ant extermination, including the brand, the extent of the infestation, and the extermination method.

Brand

Orkin and Terminix are two of the most well-known pest control brands, and both use similar ant control methods. Treatment from either company may consist of insecticides, baits, and other products for use in the ants’ nest or other places where they’re active.

However, plan options and pricing differ between Orkin and Terminix. Orkin offers a personalized ant control treatment program that considers the home, the ant problem, and the surrounding environment. Terminix offers a standard pest control plan that covers up to 13 different pests, including ants. This plan includes a one-time or quarterly service.

At Orkin, prices for ant extermination range between $200 and $1,400. Meanwhile, the average Terminix cost for ant extermination ranges from $150 to $1,200, making it slightly less expensive. Ultimately, the cost depends on the size of the area affected and the severity of the ant problem. Expect to pay at least $480 a year for four treatments. 

Infestation Level

The infestation level can affect the amount of labor, expertise, method, and length of treatment required, and thus the final cost. A widespread ant infestation costs more than a localized infestation.

Size and Number of Treatments

A one-time ant examination costs $150 on average. However, if you need more than one treatment, most exterminators often lower the price for subsequent treatments. You might pay $100 to $120 per treatment, which translates to around $400 to $480 annually for four treatments. Costs can reach $1,400 for more severe cases requiring more frequent treatments.

Some exterminators charge based on square footage. For a 2,000-square-foot area, single treatments cost around $160, while a 3,500-square-foot home typically costs about $200 for one treatment.

Extermination Method

The cost also depends on the method the exterminator uses. The exterminator assesses the species of ant and the location of the infestation before deciding on the best approach. Depending on the chosen technique, you’ll spend between $150 and $400.

Here are the average costs of some of the most common ant extermination methods.

Location

Costs for ant extermination may vary depending on labor costs in your area. For example, if you live in a rural area, you may have to pay travel costs for your exterminator.

Some regions are more prone to certain types of ants. For example, fire ants are most common in the Southern U.S. Carpenter ants and fire ants are some of the most difficult to exterminate, so costs may be higher in areas with large populations of these ants.

Preventive Maintenance

The average hourly cost of hiring a local handyperson for preventive maintenance is $60 to $125 per hour, plus materials. A handyperson can prevent future ant infestations by sealing cracks or making other repairs around the house. While an exterminator treats the ant infestation, a handyperson can help prevent future infestations.

Identifying Ant Types

There are several hundred species of ants found in North America. About 25 of these are home invaders. Here are a few of the most common home-invading ants and how to identify them.

• Carpenter ant: Up to 1/2 inch long; black or black and red; has an evenly rounded thorax; emits a rotten coconut-like smell when disturbed or crushed

• Fire ant: 1/16–1/4 inch long; yellowish to reddish to black; has an antenna with a 2-segment club; readily stings

• Pharaoh ant: Tiny in size, about 1/16 inches long; can range from yellowish to light brown to reddish

• Sugar ant: Almost 1/2 inch long; yellow and black

• Argentine ant: 1/8 inch long; light to dark brown; has a rounded abdomen base and a single erect node

Ant Exterminator Costs by Type

Exterminators charge different rates depending on the type of ant. Certain species of ants are more difficult to get rid of and thus cost more. Here’s what you can expect to pay for some of the most common ant types found in homes. 

Carpenter Ants

Treating carpenter ants costs anywhere between $250 and $500. Carpenter ants are one of the most difficult ants to deal with, which is why extermination costs run on the higher side. Their central nests are usually outside, in dead wood or decaying tree stumps. The nest inside the house is likely a satellite nest built to access more space, food, or a hospitable breeding ground. To completely eliminate carpenter ants, you must find and destroy their central nest.

You can do the extermination work yourself, but given the difficulty of eliminating this type of ant, you may be better off hiring a local ant extermination pro to do the job for you. 

Fire Ants

Exterminating fire ants typically costs between $100 and $300. You can find these ants in the southern U.S., between North Carolina and Texas, but infestations can also occur in the Southwest.

Fire ants are highly aggressive and rush from their nest to bite and sting at the slightest provocation. Some people experience allergic reactions to their bites. For safety’s sake, contact an exterminator to deal with this ant infestation.

Pharaoh Ants

The cost to eliminate pharaoh ants is between $200 and $250. These ants typically enter buildings through cracks and other openings but can also get inside on packages, supplies, and furnishings. They can be a nuisance to eliminate because they have a habit of nesting in difficult-to-reach areas, such as inside walls.

Pharaoh ants don’t typically bite but harbor pathogenic bacteria that can spread throughout your home, particularly on food.

Sugar Ants

Exterminators typically charge between $200 and $250 to eliminate sugar ants. These ants mostly seek out sugar and sweets of all kinds, such as honey, jam, cake, and spilled juice in homes, thus the name. 

Other Types of Ants

Most other ants that are home invaders—like Argentine ants, odorous house ants, thief ants, and rover ants—will cost $150 on average to eliminate. Try to identify the type of ant you’re dealing with before you contact a pro. This can help them know the tools they need to bring to do the job or the types of treatments to carry. If you can’t identify the type of ant or aren’t sure, the exterminator can do it when they report for the job.

Budgeting for Ant Extermination

Eliminating ants in your home typically requires professional tools and expertise. However, there are steps you can take before hiring an exterminator to help make the process more budget-friendly:

• If you’ve only noticed one or two ants, place ant traps or spray the area with vinegar to deter more ants. However, if they return or you notice more ants, you may want to call in a pro.

• If you notice fire or carpenter ants, call an exterminator quickly to prevent the problem from spreading. Fire ants and carpenter ants can cause extensive damage to your home and are difficult to eliminate with home solutions.

• Contact several companies to compare quotes for exterminator costs.

• Labor costs increase the longer the treatment takes, so remove any obstructions around the area to speed up the process.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.