Removing cockroaches costs an average of $200
On average, expect to pay $100 to $600 per treatment for cockroach exterminator costs.
Most homeowners spend an average of $200 to remove cockroaches, but your price rises with home size and infestation severity.
Major infestations often need multiple visits until every roach is gone.
Less severe infestations cost $100 to $400. Hiring a pro now can prevent larger, more expensive infestations later.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Average cockroach exterminator costs range between $100 and $600, with an average total of $200. Severe cases can reach as high as $7,500. Costs can vary based on the type of treatment your exterminator uses, your home’s size, and the infestation location. Hiring a professional ensures the effective elimination of these unwelcome pests and helps prevent costly future infestations.
A handful of details can push your roach-removal bill up or down—namely your home’s size, where the bugs are hiding, how bad the invasion is, and the labor your pro needs to tackle it all.
The more square footage you have, the more ground an exterminator must cover—and that means extra product, extra time, and sometimes extra trips to be sure every last roach is gone.
Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost per Visit |
---|---|
1,000 | $100–$150 |
1,500 | $150–$250 |
2,000 | $250–$350 |
2,500 | $350–$450 |
3,000 | $450–$550 |
Roaches love squeeze-worthy spots—behind the fridge, inside cabinets, or deep in wall voids. When they hole up in these tight areas, your pro may need special tools and a few return trips, which bumps up the price but guarantees the nest is wiped out.
The severity of your cockroach problem greatly affects the total cost.
Infestation Level | Average Cost per Visit |
---|---|
Minor | $100–$400 |
Major | $300–$700 |
Severe | $2,500–$7,000 |
Minor infestations might be resolved with a single treatment costing $100 to $400. However, major infestations spread across your home require multiple treatments—sometimes up to five visits—to fully eliminate the roaches. If roaches keep coming back, professionals might suggest regular treatments to keep these pests at bay.
Visit Frequency | Average Cost per Visit |
---|---|
One-time | $100–$400 |
Monthly | $50–$100 |
Quarterly | $50–$100 |
Annually | $200–$1,000 |
Most companies quote a flat rate for pest control costs that reflects the complexity of the job and the products they use. One tech can often solve a minor problem for $100 to $400. Large-scale invasions often require a crew and several labor hours, which is why severe cases can climb past $2,500.
Pros use everything from quick-hit sprays and gel baits to whole-house tenting. The right choice for your home comes down to where the bugs are hiding, how many there are, and which species you’re battling.
Treatment Type | Average Cost per Treatment |
---|---|
Insecticide spray | $40–$100 |
Glue traps | $100–$600 |
Gel bait | $100–$600 |
Boric acid dust | $100–$600 |
Fumigation | $1,000–$3,000 |
Tenting | $2,500–$7,500 |
For minor cockroach infestations, insecticide sprays are a cost-effective option, costing between $40 and $100 per treatment. Sprays are applied to areas where cockroaches are visible, killing them on the spot. However, if roaches are hiding in hard-to-reach places, other treatments might be more effective.
Glue trap cockroach treatments range from $100 to $600, depending on the materials needed. These traps catch roaches on a sticky adhesive board without using harmful chemicals. Keep in mind that glue traps don’t provide immediate results and often require multiple treatment rounds to fully eliminate the pests.
Gel bait treatments cost between $100 and $600, depending on the brand and amount used. This method uses a special food that lures roaches out and kills them once eaten. Be cautious if you have small children or pets, as the gel can be harmful if ingested.
Boric acid dust is a popular cockroach extermination option, costing $100 to $600 per treatment. It involves sprinkling toxic dust in areas where roaches are active. As they crawl through it, they absorb the chemicals and eventually die.
If you’re dealing with a severe roach infestation, fumigation might be the solution. This method involves filling your home with pesticide gases that target all areas of infestation. Depending on your home’s size, costs range from $1 to $4 per square foot, with most homeowners paying between $1,000 and $3,000 for whole-home fumigation.
Tenting is a form of fumigation where a large tent encases your home, sealing in the gases to kill roaches deep within walls and small crevices. This treatment ranges from $2,500 to $7,500, depending on your home’s size.
Consider these cost-saving strategies to make your cockroach removal process more wallet-friendly:
Make your space as accessible as possible before your exterminator arrives. Removing clutter in the impacted areas will cut labor time and costs.
Ask about discounted regular service plans rather than paying for a one-time treatment, which often costs more.
Get detailed quotes from at least three local cockroach exterminators to ensure competitive pricing.
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.
The timeline for removing cockroaches hinges on the roach species, how deep the infestation runs, and your chosen treatment. If you only spot a few bugs, a pro can often wipe them out in one to three days. A full-blown, house-wide outbreak often takes two to eight weeks, and the most severe cases may stretch to six months with several return visits. Your exterminator will inspect, treat, and follow up until every roach is gone, so you won’t be left guessing.
Yes—when you bring in a qualified pro and stick to the full treatment plan, you can kick roaches out for good. Your exterminator will hunt down hidden nests, apply targeted products, and schedule follow-ups to make sure no stragglers survive. Keep up with recommended maintenance visits and good housekeeping habits, and those pests won’t find their way back.
Prevention starts with everyday habits. Store pantry items in sealed containers, pick up pet food overnight, and fix drips that leave tempting water sources. Swap cardboard boxes for plastic bins and seal cracks to shut down entry points.
Schedule routine pest inspections so a small problem never has time to explode. Combine those steps and you’ll make your home far less inviting to roaches.
Start by sizing up your infestation and setting a realistic budget. Then ask each exterminator about licensing, insurance, and experience with roaches specifically. A reputable pro will inspect every hot spot, explain the treatment options, and give you a clear estimate before work begins.
Check online reviews and request references so you know the company delivers on its promises. The right expert should combine proven results with straightforward pricing.