How Much Does Pest Control Cost? A Complete Pricing Guide

Pests can cause havoc in your home. They pose serious health hazards, food contamination, and risk to business, causing structural damage. Minor pest infestations can be solved with an easy DIY method. However, for mass pest infestation, hiring pest control services is a better option for long-term solutions. Hiring a professional comes with varying costs,  depending on factors such as type of pest, size of the house, extent of infestation, location, and so on. This blog discusses the costs required for different types of treatment, additional costs, and cost-saving methods.

Factors Impacting Pest Control Cost

Here are the factors that influence the variation in prices.

• Property size - The size of the property matters when it comes to pest control or prevention. Many pest control methods  treat the entire house. Thus, larger property with bigger area results in higher cost.

•  Location - Property's location is another factor that impacts the cost of pest control.  For instance, in a small area with a heavy infestation of pests, you may have to pay a higher price for pest control services. Additionally, properties in a remote area or an inaccessible area may also require to pay more due to transportation costs.

• Type of pest infestation - Another matter of concern is what kind of pest has entered your property. Thus, identifying the type of pest is significantly necessary to find the right treatment plan. Hence, the costs of treatment would vary accordingly. For example, the treatment of a roach infestation will be different from the treatment of a flea infestation. When hiring the best pest control services specializing in treating a particular pest infestation, you may have to spend more. This is because experts bring in years of experience and charge accordingly.

• Infestation size - If pest infestation has spread widely, it will eventually be expensive to get rid of the infestation.

• Service type - Clearly, pest control companies take different approaches to lure the pest.  Some may use fumigation, while others use chemical treatment and bait traps.

Cost by Type of Pest

Here is a list of typical pests and the average cost to get rid of them:

Cost Breakdown by Type of Treatment

Here is the detailed information regarding cost based on the type of treatment. Additionally, the cost of skilled labor to manage the issue is also incurred.

Physical Pest Control

Various types of traps such as cruelty-free rodent traps, sticky traps, or snap traps can be used to catch pests. These are placed around the houses for controlling small infestations. The total cost of full service may range from $150-$500.

If one decides to DIY, it is important to take precautions. Wear safety gear like gloves and be careful. Otherwise, call a professional exterminator.

Chemical Treatment

This treatment is best handled by professionals. The chemical treatment is perfect for the removal of large infestations, especially when the pest breeds rapidly. The average price for setting up smaller chemical traps usually ranges from $100-$400. It may raise up to $3,000 to spray a room.

Fumigation Treatment

Fumigation is an expensive method to eliminate pests that have invaded difficult-to-reach areas. It is often used by professionals to treat flea, termite, and cockroach problems. The price of fumigation treatment ranges between $1 and $4 per square foot, resulting in a total cost of over $800 for an entire house.

Cost by Frequency of Treatment

Exterminator cost is affected by the frequency of service requirement. More visits means higher costs. It's often suggested by professionals to get a seasonal checkup in regions where pests are a year-round issue. For instance, some pests need regular professional supervision as they tend to hide in the winter season and come out during spring time. Many exterminator companies offer large-package deals for frequent visits.

Initial Visit

Initial visit cost by exterminator may range from $80 to $370 due to comprehensive inspection and identification of infestation. The exterminator will use most of the time to identify potential entry points, food sources and signs for larger infestations. During the visit, they may discuss possible methods for long-term treatment and preventive measures.

Monthly Visit

Monthly visits tend to be shorter than initial visits, costing between $50 and $80 each time. Exterminators will inspect traps, lay new bait and check for the signs if the pest infestation is increasing or reducing. They may accordingly adjust the visits depending on the extent of the problem.

Quarterly Visits

The cost of a quarterly pest control visit ranges from $100 to $250. These visits are perfect for regular pest maintenance, especially with seasonal pest infestation. Exterminators use integrated pest management (IPM) to be proactive about potential problems. For example, they will inspect whether there are any entry points inside the property for the pests to get in or insects setting up nests on the eaves.

Annual Visits

The price of annual pest control visits would be around $250 to $500, especially when there is a huge pest issue that needs to be tackled each year. For instance, if there is a history of wasp nests or a yellow jacket problem, the pest control team may plan the annual visit during summer or fall. Conversely, rodents burrowing inside the property may require a winter check-in.

Pest Control: DIY or Professional

One can take one of two approaches, either DIY pest control or hire a professional when dealing with pests. Here is the brief description about both options.

• DIY - If the problem is smaller such as a few harmless ants or spiders, it's easier to eliminate them on your own. Using store-bought products like bug-spray will make the task easier. This strategy is usually inexpensive, however, it may not be effective or enduring. The cost, on average, to eliminate the bug through DIY is $100, but it won't cover the same square footage as fumigation.

• Professional - When pests such as termites or bats are persistent and can cause major damage, calling a local pest control expert is the best option. Investing in pest control is worth reducing the damages done by a severe pest infestation.

Additional Costs

Apart from the cost of pest control treatment, it is necessary to budget for repairs of the damages caused by pests. For example, the cost of repairing termites can be between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the extent and location of the damage. With other infestations, homeowners might need to replace drywall or flooring and deal with personal belongings that have been tainted or infested.

In case of serious infestations, you might also need to budget for follow-up or frequent maintenance visits to ensure that pests don't come back. It is best to talk with pest control professionals first to find out what follow-up services they provide and the costs involved. This is required to avoid any surprises once the treatment is done.

Tips to Save Pest Control Cost

If pest infestation inevitably occurs despite all the preventive measures, there are ways to spend within the budget and control their invasion. Below are some of the best methods to prevent pests and decrease pest control costs.

• With minor infestations, consider DIY pest control solutions, such as sprays, traps, or poisonous baits.

• Examine the entire property regularly to find out potential attractions, entryways, and hidden spots.

• If you are seeking professional services, make sure to get at least three different quotes beforehand and compare them before selecting one.

• Ongoing pest control services can eventually decrease the costs per visit while keeping the potential pests away.

• Acknowledge and act on the pest issue as early as possible to avoid it from spreading into a costly treatment.

Final Thoughts

Pest control not only includes the elimination of pests, but also involves regular monitoring, prevention and maintenance to keep pests away. Thus, while seeking professional services or doing DIY, consider pest control measures to avoid potential pest infestation. The cost spent on keeping the property pest-free and maintained is significantly worth it.