The average cost of a flea exterminator is between $75 and $400 per appointment. However, the exact price you’ll pay for treatment will vary based on your unique situation and factors such as the location of the infestation.
Fleas are small insects that commonly live and feed on dogs and cats. With life cycles that make eggs resistant to chemical treatments and the ability to live in wood crevices, getting rid of fleas can easily become an ongoing task. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the cost to get rid of fleas in your home.
Note: The cost data featured in this article is based on pricing obtained from pest control companies, market research into Amazon and other retailers, and sources such as HomeGuide.
Flea Exterminator Cost
The average flea exterminator cost in the U.S. is between $75 and $400, according to pest management companies. Homeowners can choose from multiple natural and chemical-based options for treating fleas, with more severe flea infestations requiring the most intensive—and costly—treatments.
The cost of pest control for fleas is usually less than $1,000 except in extreme circumstances that require drastic measures. The table below summarizes the cost of various flea extermination methods, including do-it-yourself (DIY) and professional treatments.
| Treatment Method | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| DIY spray and vacuuming | $10–$75 |
| Steam cleaning | $100–$400 |
| Flea bomb | $100–$200 |
| Professional spraying | $150–$350 |
| Fogger fumigation | $175–$350 |
| Heat treatment | $300–$500 |
| Tented gas fumigation | $2,000–$8,000 |
Flea Treatment Types
Pest control professionals have a few different options when it comes to treating home flea infestations. Exterminators may recommend any of the following major treatment types, depending on factors such as the severity of the infestation and the size of your home.
- DIY spraying and vacuuming: If you only have a small, localized flea infestation, you can try solving it with over-the-counter flea control products, a consistent vacuuming schedule, and some patience. Vacuuming your home for at least 10 days can help remove eggs and larvae while also stimulating dormant fleas to emerge, making them easier to target with DIY pest control sprays. This method typically works best for mild, localized colonies of the common flea.
- Steam cleaning: Using high-temperature steam kills fleas in all stages of the insect life cycle—including eggs, which are resistant to chemical pesticides. This method is ideal for mild infestations concentrated in carpets and animal bedding, and can offer an effective chemical-free solution for both larvae and adult fleas brought into your home through your pet’s fur.
- Flea bomb: Flea bombs are pressurized canisters that release insecticide into the air to kill the insects in an enclosed space. While this method of pest control is relatively powerful and more affordable on average, the fine mist of chemicals doesn’t penetrate deeply into carpets and crevices in furniture. This means it may only work for mild to moderate infestations, and you may need to employ additional removal methods for complete extermination.
- Professional spraying: While DIY flea sprays might work for superficial insect removal, they may not provide enough strength to kill off large colonies. Pest control professionals have access to insecticides that contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) that target adult fleas and disrupt their reproductive cycle. This treatment is effective for severe infestations or recurring flea problems, as professionals can treat hidden areas where fleas thrive and stop them from reproducing.
- Fogger fumigation: With a fogger fumigation, flea foggers release a fine pesticide mist that penetrates hard-to-reach areas, killing fleas in exposed locations. This method is useful for treating whole house infestations, but may not reach deep into carpets or furniture where flea eggs and larvae hide. You may also need multiple follow-up treatments if you have a widespread flea problem in your home.
- Heat treatment: A heat treatment raises the temperature inside the home to lethal levels for fleas, effectively killing the insect at all life stages. This method is best for homes with severe, persistent infestations, and also works if you have additional pests such as cock roaches or bed bugs. Heat fumigation is chemical-free and effective but requires a professional flea exterminator and precautions to protect household items.
- Tented gas fumigation: Tented gas fumigation involves sealing the home and releasing a fumigant gas that penetrates walls, flooring, and furniture to eradicate fleas completely. This chemical-intensive, expensive treatment option is usually reserved for severe, unmanageable infestations or homes also suffering from other pest issues—notably termites.
Not sure which flea treatment you should go with? Schedule an appointment for a free quote with a professional pest control service to learn more about your options. An exterminator can help you determine the severity of your infestation and the best treatment route.
What Factors Affect How Much a Flea Exterminator Costs?
A wide range of factors can play a role in how much you’ll pay for flea extermination services.
Location
The specific areas where fleas are concentrated in a home can impact the cost of extermination. Flea treatments are usually more affordable when the insects are concentrated in a specific part of the home since professionals can block off the space and use less treatment. Harder-to-reach locations may require specialized treatments, which can add to the overall expense.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common locations for a home flea infestation and how each one influences cost.
- Single room or confined area: If fleas are mostly in one room, such as a pet’s sleeping area or a carpeted living room, treatment costs range from $100—$300 depending on the severity of the infestation.
- Whole-house infestation: When fleas have spread throughout multiple rooms, including furniture and carpets, professional spraying or fogging can cost $300—$800 to ensure full coverage.
- Hard-to-reach areas: If fleas have made their way into hard-to-reach spaces such as crevices in walls or insulation, professionals may need to provide a more intensive heat treatment or gas fumigation. Infestations in these areas may cost between $300–$2,000 on average.
- Yard areas: If fleas have infested outdoor areas where pets roam, pest control companies may need to apply yard treatments to prevent reinfestation. This usually adds between $100–$300 to your total pest control cost depending on the size of your yard.
Infestation Severity
The severity of your flea infestation plays a major role in the price it costs to clear it out. You could solve mild flea problems within an afternoon with the right tools for around $100. Severe infestations may require a full-home, chemical-intensive treatment method such as fumigation to completely eradicate, and could cost upwards of $1,000.
To determine your level of infestation severity, look for common signs of fleas. Here are a few signs that may indicate how severe a flea problem is in your home.
| Level of Severity | Description | Average Extermination Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Infestation is confined to pets and small areas of the home such as bedding and rugs. You may notice a few fleas on your pet and that your pet is occasionally scratching and leaving flea feces (small black specks) on bedding. No or minimal flea bites on yourself or other people in the home. | $50–$200 |
| Moderate | Flea have spread beyond your pet’s fur and are now present in carpets, furniture, and other areas. You may see fleas jumping onto your legs or moving through the home, and notice more frequent bites on yourself and other people in the house. | $200–$400 |
| Severe | Fleas are visible on pets, people, and multiple surfaces throughout the home. Constant flea bites cause intense itching and discomfort, and pets may suffer from hair loss or skin infections due to excessive scratching. | $400–$800+ |
Treatment Method
Not every type of flea control is effective for every type of infestation. The treatment method used to kill fleas impacts extermination costs, as different approaches vary in effectiveness, labor intensity, and required resources. Less invasive treatments such as spraying and vacuuming are the most affordable approaches but require diligence and multiple applications to fully eliminate fleas.
For more severe infestations, you may require advanced treatments such as heat fumigation or tented gas fumigation. Pest control professionals reserve these more aggressive treatments for cases where fleas have spread throughout the home and resist traditional extermination methods. While gas or heat methods can completely kill flea colonies—including those located in crevices and other hard-to-reach areas—they’re also the most expensive options.
Number of Treatments Required
More severe flea infestations may require multiple visits from professionals to fix completely. In many cases, a single initial treatment isn’t enough to kill off all fleas in a home, as these insects have a complex life cycle with eggs and larvae that can survive initial extermination efforts. Even after adult fleas are killed, newly hatched fleas may emerge days or weeks later, requiring additional treatments to break the cycle.
For moderate to severe infestations, exterminators often schedule follow-up visits to reapply treatments and ensure any remaining fleas, eggs, or larvae are eradicated. The number of treatments needed depend on factors such as the type of flea and pest control method.
Time of Year
Fleas have short life cycles of about 2–3 months, with most eggs hatching during the spring. As a result, most pest control companies see an influx in demand for flea control services during the months of April through June. If you notice an infestation during this time, you’re likely to pay a premium for any pest control services you schedule.
Signs of a Flea Infestation
Fleas are often difficult to spot until an infestation has spread. Spotting the signs of fleas and starting treatment as soon as possible can help reduce treatment costs and inconvenience to you. Here are a few of the most common signs you might have fleas in your home.
- Excessive scratching in pets: Your pet may constantly scratch, bite, or groom themselves, especially around the neck and tail areas. If you notice this behavior, check their skin for fleas.
- Red, irritated skin or hair loss in pets: Flea bites can cause intense itching, leading pets to scratch and lick themselves over and over again in the same spots. This can cause red, irritated patches to appear on your pet’s skin or hair loss. The most commonly affected areas on pets with fleas include the stomach, inner thighs, and base of the neck.
- Visible insects on pets and furniture: Adult fleas are small, fast-moving brown insects about 1-2 millimeters (mm) in length, making them difficult to spot in a pet’s fur. Fleas tend to move quickly and hide deep in the coat, especially in warm areas such as around the ears and the base of the tail. The best way to check for fleas is to use a flea comb, which helps part the fur and catch fleas in the teeth of the comb. If fleas are present, you might see them scurrying away as you inspect your pet’s skin.
- Look for flea dirt: Flea dirt or flea feces appears as tiny black specks that resemble ground pepper but is actually digested blood excreted by fleas. A simple test to confirm flea dirt is to place some specks on a damp paper towel—if the specks turn reddish-brown, it’s a sign of digested blood, confirming flea activity. Finding flea dirt means adult fleas are actively feeding on your pet, even if you don’t immediately see the bugs themselves.
DIY Flea Removal Methods
If you’re only dealing with a few fleas in your home, you can try eradicating them with an affordable DIY remedy. Depending on the type of flea and how early you’ve caught the critters, these at-home treatment methods could solve the problem without a professional exterminator.
Treat Furry Friends Directly
Applying veterinarian-approved flea treatments is the most effective way to eliminate fleas at the source. Topical treatments, oral medications, and flea collars kill insects on contact or disrupt their life cycle to prevent reinfestation.
While DIY shampoos and natural remedies may provide temporary relief, these methods are not as effective as prescription preventatives. Consistently using flea medication ensures long-term protection and prevents fleas from spreading throughout your home. When used consistently and at the first sign of fleas, home pet medications are typically effective at killing fleas.
Over-the-Counter Sprays
Over-the-counter flea sprays contain insecticides or natural repellents designed to kill fleas on contact and provide short-term protection. You can apply these sprays to bedding, carpets, furniture, and even directly on pets if labeled safe for animals. While these sprays can help reduce flea populations, they’re generally less potent than professional treatments and may require frequent reapplication.
Home Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning uses high-temperature steam to kill fleas at all life stages, and is usually effective for infestations localized in carpeting. While steam cleaning can significantly reduce flea populations, it doesn’t provide residual protection, meaning fleas can return if reinfestation sources aren’t addressed.
When Should You Call a Professional for Flea Removal?
You should call a professional for flea removal when DIY methods fail to control the infestation or when fleas continue to return despite repeated treatments. A persistent infestation often means fleas have spread beyond your pet’s fur and the bugs are embedded in carpets and crevices.
If you notice fleas jumping onto your legs with frequent bites or widespread flea dirt in pet bedding and upholstery, it’s a sign the infestation has grown beyond what household treatments can handle. Your pets can also help you understand when a flea infestation is out of control. If pets continue to suffer from excessive itching or hair loss and vet-prescribed flea treatments don’t seem effective, you may need a professional exterminator to eliminate fleas from your home.
How To Hire an Exterminator
Finding the best pest control companies in your area starts with a little research. Use these steps to ensure you’re only working with qualified professionals when you have a pest problem.
- Assess the severity of the infestation: Determine whether fleas are limited to your pet and their bedding or if the bugs have spread throughout your home. Take a walk through your house and document any areas you think might contain fleas. This can help you communicate the issue clearly to exterminators.
- Research local options: Look for exterminators that specialize in flea treatments. Read online reviews on third-party websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot for other customer experiences. You can also ask for recommendations from your veterinarian if the fleas came from your pet.
- Verify licensing: Ensure the exterminator is certified to apply pesticides in your state by asking for licensure information. Cross-check this information with your state’s pest control regulatory agency for verification.
- Ask about treatment methods: Different pest control companies use different flea control methods. Ask each company you’re considering about its approach and how many treatments you may need based on flea activity in your home.
- Get a free quote: Request a written quote that outlines the cost, treatment plan, number of visits required, and any guarantees offered by each company you’re considering. Compare estimates from at least three companies to find the best price.
- Get your home ready for treatment: Before the exterminator arrives, follow any preparation instructions, which may include vacuuming, washing pet bedding, and removing food or pet items from treated areas.
- Follow post-appointment instructions: After treatment, follow the exterminator’s advice on when it’s safe to return home, cleaning, and how to prevent reinfestation.
How To Prevent a Flea Infestation
Keeping fleas out of your home requires consistent preventative measures and regular pet care. By taking steps to keep fleas out of your home, you can address any potential flea problems that may arise quickly and for a lower average treatment cost. Use these tips to stop fleas in their tracks before they make a home in your house.
- Wash pet bedding regularly: Fleas, eggs, and pupae can hide in fabric, so wash your pet’s bedding in hot water at least once a week. This kills off fleas in the early stages of their lifecycle, reducing the risk of an infestation.
- Vacuum frequently: Carpets, rugs and furniture are some of the first places fleas lay eggs after entering your home. Vacuum these areas often and empty the vacuum bag or canister immediately to stop them from hatching and causing an infestation.
- Use flea preventatives: Protect your pet with veterinarian-recommended flea treatments each year, especially if you live in an area where these pests are more common. Pay attention to fur and bedding to treat any fleas that make it into your home early.
- Maintain a flea-free yard: Fleas thrive in overgrown lawns, which provide ideal conditions to lay eggs before these pests latch onto your pet and make their way into your home. Keep grass trimmed, remove excess leaves and debris, and avoid letting your pet roam in overgrown areas where fleas thrive.
- Seal entry points: Fleas can also hitch a ride into your home through cracks in floors and walls. Sealing these areas can help reduce flea infestations and have the bonus effect of increasing home energy efficiency by removing drafts.
- Treat all pets at once: If you have multiple pets and one is caught with fleas, prevent reinfestation by treating all pets in your household at the same time. Fleas can easily jump between hosts if one pet is left untreated, making it easy for these pests to return.
Is Professional Flea Extermination Worth It?
After speaking with pest professionals and considering the average cost of treatment, our team determined the cost of a professional flea exterminator is usually worth the price. While DIY treatments may provide temporary relief, fleas reproduce quickly, and their eggs and larvae can survive in hidden areas. This can lead to reinfestation, especially if you’re using over-the-counter treatments that can’t penetrate carpet or crevices.
Professional exterminators use specialized insecticides, heat treatments, and insect growth regulators that target fleas at every stage of their life cycle, ensuring a more thorough and lasting solution. Although hiring an exterminator comes with an upfront cost, it also usually saves you money by preventing ongoing infestations that require repeated DIY treatments.
FAQs About Flea Exterminator Costs
When should you call an exterminator for fleas?
You should call an exterminator if over-the-counter treatments and cleaning efforts fail to control the infestation or if fleas keep returning despite your efforts. Severe infestations, especially those affecting multiple rooms or pets, may require professional treatment to eliminate these insects at all life stages.
How long does it take to get rid of fleas?
Getting rid of fleas can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the severity of the infestation and the effectiveness of the treatment. Professional treatments may kill off fleas in as little as 48 hours, while you may need to repeat DIY treatments over a series of weeks.
Can fleas come back after fumigation?
Yes, fleas can return after fumigation if eggs are not fully eradicated or if your pets introduce new fleas after your home gets treated. To prevent reinfestation, remember to treat pets for fleas each year, wash bedding, and vacuum your home regularly.
