How Much Does a Roach Exterminator Cost in 2024?
Highlights
The average cost of roach extermination ranges from $100 to $400 per treatment, with most homeowners paying $150.
The total price depends on the size of your home, the location of the infestation, its severity, and the number of visits required.
Most infestations require multiple visits to ensure complete elimination.
Most roach exterminators charge a flat-rate fee depending on the infestation severity and treatment method.
The best treatment option depends on the infestation type, location, and severity.
The average cost of roach extermination ranges from $100 to $400 per treatment, with most homeowners paying $150. The total price largely depends on the severity and location of the infestation, which determines the treatment method used and number of visits required. In extreme cases, severe infestations can cost up to $7,500.
Average Roach Exterminator Cost
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | $400 | $100 |
Roach Exterminator Cost Factors
The cost of roach extermination depends on various factors, including the size of your home, the severity and location of infestation, labor costs, and the number of visits required.
Home Size
The size of your home determines the amount of materials, time, and visits required to treat the infestation. The more square footage that requires treatment, the more it costs. Larger homes are also more likely to require multiple treatments due to the likelihood of infestations in different areas.
| Home Size in Square Feet | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $100–$150 |
| 1,500 | $150–$250 |
| 2,000 | $250–$350 |
| 2,500 | $350–$450 |
| 3,000 | $450–$550 |
Infestation Location
Roaches commonly create hiding spots behind appliances, inside cabinets, and in cracks or crevices. The more difficult the infestation is for the technician to access, the higher the cost. Infestations in hard-to-reach areas, such as under heavy appliances or in wall voids, require specialized equipment and additional labor, raising the total price.
Severity
The severity of the infestation significantly impacts the total price because it determines the number of technicians, labor hours, and visits required for elimination. A small infestation of a few roaches only requires a simple, one-time treatment ranging between $100 and $200. A severe infestation with many cockroaches in various areas of the home can cost over $400 and require multiple treatments.
| Infestation Level | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $100–$200 |
| Medium | $200–$300 |
| Large | $300–$400 |
| Severe | $400+ |
Labor
Most local pest control companies charge a flat-rate fee for treatment based on the severity of the infestation and the method used. Minor infestations often only require the help of one technician and cost between $100 and $300. Extreme infestations require multiple technicians and increased labor hours and usually cost more than $400.
Number of Visits
Some infestations require multiple treatments to eliminate the cockroaches. The severity of the infestation and the type of treatment used determines the total amount of visits required. Minor infestations may resolve with one treatment, while severe infestations may require up to five or more.
If you have recurring infestations, pest control professionals may recommend scheduling monthly, quarterly, or yearly treatments to prevent re-infestation and target breeding areas before they progress.
Roach Exterminator Cost by Treatment Type
Various roach extermination treatments are available, including spray, glue, gel, dust, fumigation, and tenting. The best treatment option depends on the location, severity, and type of infestation.
| 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 |
Insecticide Spray
Insecticide spray is the most cost-effective treatment option, ranging from $40 to $100 per treatment. It’s often used for minor infestations because it’s sprayed in areas in and out of the home where cockroaches are visible to kill them on the spot. Other treatments are often more effective if they’ve burrowed in hard-to-see areas.
Glue Traps
The average cost of a glue trap treatment ranges from $100 to $600, depending on the required materials. Glue traps don’t require the use of harmful chemicals. Instead, they trap cockroaches on a board covered in a sticky adhesive. Glue trap treatments won’t provide immediate results and often require multiple rounds of treatment.
Gel Bait
Gel bait contains a special food that draws roaches out from their nests and kills them once eaten. This type of treatment costs from $100 to $600, depending on the brand and amount required. Gel bait isn’t recommended for homes with small children or pets because it can be harmful if ingested.
Boric Acid Dust
Boric acid dust is a popular treatment for roach infestations, costing between $100 and $600 per treatment. It involves sprinkling toxic dust throughout the home in areas of infestation. As the cockroaches crawl through the dust, they absorb the toxic chemicals and eventually die.
Fumigation
Fumigation is a highly effective treatment option often used for severe infestations. Pest control professionals fill your home with pesticide gases that target all areas of infestation. Companies often charge depending on the size of your home, ranging from $1 to $4 per square foot. Most homeowners pay between $1,000 and $3,000 to fumigate their entire home.
Tenting
Tenting is a form of fumigation that involves placing a large tent around the home and releasing fumigants. The tenting works to seal in the gasses and kill roaches lurking deep within walls or in small crevices. The average cost of tenting is between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the size of the home.
Budgeting for Roach Extermination
Hiring a professional ensures the infestation is properly addressed and reduces the odds of recurrence. However, there are some things you can do to help prevent an infestation and make your roach extermination more budget-friendly:
Try at-home methods like pesticide spray and glue traps before hiring a professional.
Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the most cost-effective option in your area.
Contact an exterminator as soon as you notice a roach to prevent the infestation from progressing.
Keep your home clean, seal cracks, and remove food sources to prevent infestations.
If you deal with recurring infestations, sign up for an annual plan to save money on repeat treatments.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most homeowners feel that professional roach extermination is a worthwhile investment. Even if you only see a couple of roaches in your home, there’s often more hiding or breeding in unseen areas that require specialized treatment to eliminate.
Many roach exterminators offer annual plans that help you save money on regular treatments. Leading companies, such as Terminix and Orkin, offer ongoing plans for monthly, bi-annual, or annual treatments. The average cost to enroll in a monthly plan is $75, but prices vary by company and location.
Cockroaches often nest in dark, warm, or moist areas such as kitchens, basements, or bathrooms. They typically hide behind appliances, under furniture, or in small cracks or crevices. Other common hiding spots include cupboards, crawl spaces, inside wells, and trash bins.
The average time it takes to exterminate roaches is one to two weeks, but it depends on the severity of the infestation, the size of the home, and the treatment method used. Minor infestations can be eliminated within one to two days, while severe infestations can take weeks or months.
The top indicators of a roach infestation include visible signs such as small, dark droppings, brown capsule-shaped egg casings, shed skins, and brown smear marks on walls, floors, and surfaces. You may also notice musty odors, damaged food containers, and rustling noises within your walls.
It’s possible to eliminate roaches completely. However, it may require recurring and extensive treatment. Roaches are persistent pests that are difficult to exterminate fully. If you have a recurring roach issue, schedule regular treatments to keep infestations under control.
