How Much Does Hiring a Flea Exterminator Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

The average flea exterminator cost is between $75 and $400, with homeowners typically paying around $270. Factors such as the exterminator’s treatment frequency and treatment method impact the final cost. While over-the-counter products are available, hiring a professional ensures effective eradication of adult fleas, larvae, and eggs, saving you time and potentially reducing long-term costs.

Flea Exterminator Cost Factors

Flea extermination typically costs between $75 and $400 for an inspection and a single treatment. A second visit, costing an additional $75 to $200, is often necessary to eliminate newly hatched fleas. Factors that can affect the overall cost include:

• Geographic Location: Higher costs in areas with greater overhead expenses.

• Home Size: Larger homes require more time and materials, increasing costs.

• Season: Prices may rise during spring and summer when fleas are more prevalent.

Treatment Frequency

The number of treatments your exterminator performs will inform your flea removal costs. Here is a breakdown of flea exterminator costs by treatment frequency.

One-Time Flea Treatment vs. Follow-Up Visits

An initial flea extermination visit typically costs between $200 and $400. While treatments may be effective after one visit, a follow-up visit—costing around $75 to $200—is usually necessary to eliminate newly hatched fleas. One-time applications often don’t completely eradicate large infestations.

• Single Visit: $75–$400

• Monthly Treatments: $950–$2,500

• Quarterly Treatments: $500–$1,600

• Yearly Treatments: $900–$4,800

First Visit

A local pest control pro will perform a few tasks, including the following:

• Inspection: The pro will confirm that fleas are present and scout for the areas where they're living. This may include areas your pets frequent, as well as crawl spaces or your attic, to see if you may have had other wild animals present.

• Vacuuming: If vacuuming is included, it'll be done before spraying.

• Interior application: The exterminator will apply an in-house topical product with two types of active ingredients: an adulticide to kill adults and an insect growth regulator to prevent developing fleas from becoming adults.

• Exterior application: If you're paying for exterior spray, they will apply it near entrances to your home and pet areas.

Second Visit

The second application follows the same procedures as the first. Since no pesticide kills eggs and often not larvae, you’ll need to kill these pests after they mature. This generally happens 10 to 14 days after the first visit. After that, you should have a clean home, although a third and final visit may be necessary.

Some extermination companies guarantee they can remove all the stages—eggs, pupae, and adults—in one treatment and will return for free if you see more pests within 30 days.

Cost by Treatment Method

There are no pesticides that completely kill fleas since the egg and larvae stages are tough to combat with chemicals. The standard treatment for fleas includes all the following:

Pet Treatment

The current standard is oral chewable tablets and spot treatment with liquid gels for the fur. You should clean all of your pets' bedding and the places where they sleep, either yourself or with the help of your vet. Consult your vet and read labels before using anything on your pets.

Premise Treatment

These include vacuuming and washing the entire home and applying flea insecticides. These only kill the adults and interfere with larvae development. They don't kill the eggs, so a follow-up treatment is almost always necessary. If you have questions about the products included in your flea control program, your exterminator can provide product labels or material safety data sheets.

Wildlife and Pest Inspection

Although you might have pets, fleas travel on bats, rats, and other small animals. Have your place inspected for these as well. Pest control costs around $100–$500, in addition to flea extermination, if other pests are present.

DIY vs. Professional Flea Pest Control

While DIY methods may appear less expensive initially, hiring a professional flea exterminator is often more effective, safer, and more time-efficient. Professionals have access to potent treatments and the expertise to target infestations thoroughly. Key considerations include:

• Effectiveness: Over-the-counter products may not eliminate fleas completely, especially in severe infestations.

• Cost: DIY products can become expensive when treating entire homes, and repeated treatments may be necessary.

• Health Risks: Misuse of pesticides can pose serious health risks to your family and pets.

• Expertise: Professionals can identify all infested areas, including hard-to-reach places like subfloors, basements, or attics.

• Time Efficiency: Professionals can eliminate infestations more quickly, saving you time and frustration.

These are some of the flea treatment products that you can buy:

Flea Bombs

Flea foggers, sometimes called bombs, cost $10 to $30 each. However, research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln indicates that flea fumigation is generally ineffective because it does not penetrate areas where fleas reside. Professionals typically do not offer this service. Be cautious of over-the-counter fumigation products that disperse insecticides via aerosol, as they may not effectively eliminate flea infestations.

Sprays or Insecticides

Inexpensive over-the-counter flea sprays range from $5 to $30 per bottle and require a lot of product to treat your entire home. These sprays are better used for small areas only or even as a preventive measure around pet areas and entrances to your home. If you use these, expect multiple applications.

Natural Options

Natural options like diatomaceous earth can damage and dehydrate adult fleas and cocoons. These natural pest control products range from $5 to $30. However, many such products, including those with essential oils like peppermint or clove, have limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. While some homeowners report success using borax powder or baking soda combined with vacuuming, these methods may only be effective for minimal infestations and require repeated applications over several weeks. Professional treatments are generally more effective for eliminating fleas.

Hire a local flea exterminator to safely and effectively eliminate fleas from your home.

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.