How Much Does a Bed Bug Exterminator Cost? (2024 Guide)
Typical cost range:
$300–$5,000
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If you have a suspected or confirmed bed bug infestation, a highly-rated pest control company is typically the best line of defense. Bed bugs are persistent pests that are resistant to many kinds of treatments. Pest control companies have the right tools and skills to get rid of bed bugs and keep them gone. Expect to pay an average of $1,750 for bed bug removal. Bed bugs can live up to 400 days without a food source, so you’ll need regular inspections after the initial treatment, which cost between $100 and $150 per inspection. If more bed bugs are detected, your pest control provider may need to apply another round of treatment, increasing the total cost of your pest control.
In this review, we break down bed bug extermination costs and recommend pest control companies to help eliminate them. We’ve thoroughly researched each company by reading customer reviews, analyzing their plans, and secret-shopping treatment methods.
Key Takeaways
Pest/Termite Control
Get a customized plan based on your home’s needs
Pest Inspection
Get quarterly inspections to monitor for sign of pests
What Are the Signs and Causes of a Bed Bug Infestation?
Bed bugs are insects that feed on human blood and typically reside in small crevices, such as the spaces between mattresses, box springs, and other parts of the bed. While most people think bed bugs are isolated to dirty hotel rooms, these pests can easily find their way to other places, including your home.
Typically, bed bugs are carried from an infested area to your home by hitching a ride on your luggage, purse, backpack, or other personal item. These pests can also travel from one room to another in multi-unit buildings, such as apartments or condos.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Similar to ticks, spotting bed bugs is difficult because of their small size and ability to hide in cracks and crevices. The signs of a bed bug infestation are different from the signs of a flea infestation. Here are a few things to look for on your bed if you suspect you have bed bugs:
- Blood stains on sheets and pillowcases
- Black or dark brown spots along mattress seams or bed frame slats
- Small eggshell-colored skins along your mattress
- A pungent odor akin to the smell of rotten raspberries
Another sign of bed bugs is small red bumps across your skin. These bites are usually congregated in exposed areas of the body, such as the neck, hands, shoulders, and legs. While some people don’t develop any symptoms after experiencing a bed bug bite, others can have severe reactions that cause fevers or blisters.
What Factors Affect Bed Bug Extermination Pricing?
The cost of bed bug extermination is influenced by multiple factors, including the number of infested rooms, type of treatment, infestation level, and treatment frequency.
What’s the Cost of Bed Bug Extermination by Number of Rooms?
The biggest factor affecting the cost of a bed bug exterminator is how widespread the infestation is. Bed bug extermination can cost from $300-$475 for one room up to $3,750-$6,000 to treat the entire house.
| Number of Rooms | Average Cost |
|---|---|
|
One room |
$300–$475 |
|
Two rooms |
$750–$900 |
|
Three rooms |
$1,050–$1,300 |
|
Four rooms |
$1,500–$1,700 |
|
Whole-home treatment |
$3,750–$6,000 |
What’s the Cost of Bed Bug Extermination by Treatment Type?
There are many ways for a professional to exterminate bed bugs in your home, each ranging in cost and effectiveness. Your exterminator will select the type of method that’s right for your home based on your budget and infestation level. Here are the costs associated with each available treatment method and their pros and cons.
| Treatment | Cost per Square Foot | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Heat |
$1–$3 |
Heat treatment kills bed bugs at all stages of life without chemical use |
Items susceptible to heat damage must be removed before treatment |
|
Chemicals |
$2–$4.50 |
Combines a variety of chemicals that reach every part of the room to kill bed bugs |
Certain chemicals may be hazardous to pets |
|
Steam |
$2–$7.50 |
Chemical-free treatment that penetrates infested surfaces better than other methods |
Several treatments may be needed to completely eradicate bed bugs |
|
Freeze |
$3–$6 |
Chemical-free treatment that’s safer for surfaces that can’t tolerate heat |
Occasionally, bed bugs are blown away instead of killed on contact |
|
Fumigation |
$4–$8 |
Kills 99% of bed bugs and pests in an area |
Can be harmful to pets and people if applied incorrectly |
What’s the Cost of Bed Bug Extermination by Level of Infestation?
The cost of exterminating a bed bug infestation depends on its severity, with the price of removing a few bed bugs being less costly than removing them from a whole home. Below is an estimate of how your bed bug infestation level impacts the overall cost of bed bug treatment.
| Level of Infestation | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Small |
$225–$350 |
|
Moderate |
$325–$500 |
|
Severe |
$3,500–$4,750 |
What’s the Cost of Bed Bug Extermination by Frequency of Treatments?
If your home has a severe infestation, your bed bug exterminator may have to schedule a series of inspections and treatments for a few months. Below are cost estimates based on how often a pest control specialist has to come to your home.
| Frequency of Treatments | Cost |
|---|---|
|
One-time |
$900–$1,100 |
|
Quarterly |
$1,800–$2,100 |
|
Monthly |
$5,000–$7,200 |
|
Semi-monthly |
$5,500–$8,350 |
Why Does It Cost So Much To Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are expensive to exterminate because they’re difficult to remove and require specialized treatments. They spread quickly and can sneak into difficult-to-access areas. Plus, many less expensive treatment methods only kill adult bed bugs and leave the eggs behind to hatch later.
These factors make it difficult to eliminate bed bugs and keep them gone. The extra time, effort, and specialized tools needed to kill bed bugs result in higher pest control costs.
How Can You Avoid Bed Bug Infestations?
Here are a few ways to prevent bed bug infestations:
- Check Furniture: Check second-hand furniture, such as used couches or mattresses, for signs of bed bugs before bringing them home.
- Cover Furniture: Use a protective cover that encases your mattress to prevent bed bugs from reaching hidden folds or corners.
- Vacuum Often: Vacuum your home frequently to eliminate any lingering bed bugs.
- Protect Your Laundry: If you use a shared laundry facility, transport your clothes in a plastic bag to prevent pests from crawling inside. Additionally, remove clothes from the dryer immediately and fold the load at home.
- Inspect Your Hotel Rooms: Inspect your hotel mattress, carpentry, curtains, and surrounding area for signs of bed bugs before unpacking your clothes.
- Wash Clothes Immediately After Travel: Wash clothes and luggage immediately after traveling to eliminate any bed bugs that may have come home with you.
Can I Get Rid of Bed Bugs Myself?
It is possible to get rid of bed bugs yourself, but we recommend hiring a professional to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
How To DIY Bed Bug Removal
There are a few DIY bed bug removal remedies that can address an infestation. If you think you only have a few bed bugs, you can vacuum your bedding, mattress, and surrounding bed frame. Additionally, you’ll want to vacuum the surrounding areas, getting between every crack and crevice. This removes any live bed bugs and sucks up any eggs or larvae.
In addition to vacuuming, you can try washing and drying your bedding on high heat. This will kill bed bugs living on the material.
While these DIY methods can address an immediate bed bug issue, the larger problem may not be addressed. A pest control company will be able to look at your unique infestation and recommend a treatment plan that’s right for you.
How To Hire an Exterminator
Here are a few things you can expect from a bed bug exterminator:
- Infestation inspection with a recommendation for a detailed treatment plan
- Specific treatments based on your infestation level, budget, and home layout
- Post-treatment bed bug inspections and additional treatment applications, if necessary
- Recommendations on how to avoid a future bed bug problem
Hiring a bed bug specialist will help you address your issue in a timely and effective manner while giving you peace of mind that your problem is under control.
Here are a few things to consider when hiring a bed bug exterminator:
Are they licensed and insured?
It’s important to hire a bed bug exterminator that’s licensed and insured. Each state has its own licensing requirements, which ensure that a professional has the proper knowledge to handle pest control equipment and chemicals. Additionally, insured pest control companies keep you protected should an accident occur in your home.
Which extermination methods do they use?
The professional treatment method an exterminator uses impacts your treatment plan and its overall cost. Understanding your provider’s treatment methods is also important for preparing your home, whether that be by removing furniture or pets.
Do they offer pet-friendly treatment options?
If you have pets and are worried about a potentially harmful bed bug treatment, ask your provider if they offer pet-friendly treatment options. These treatments are usually chemical-free and pose few safety risks.
Do they have canine detection teams?
Some bed bug exterminators use canine detection teams. This is a highly location-dependent service not offered by all companies, but it is among the most effective ways to diagnose a bed bug infestation. A trained dog can pick up on the scent of bed bugs hidden throughout a home and alert the handler.
Is Pest Control Worth It for Bed Bugs?
Yes, pest control is worth it for bed bugs. We always recommend contacting a pest control professional for bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are one of the most unpleasant and distressing pests homeowners can deal with. These pests are as disgusting as they are difficult to get rid of. They spread quickly, can be difficult to spot, and hide inside furniture. DIY solutions can be effective if you discover a bed bug infestation early enough, but handling it yourself is more often a difficult and frustrating experience.
We recommend Orkin and Terminix for bed bug control. Both companies offer comprehensive bed bug extermination. Terminix and Orkin are nationwide, industry-leading exterminators that rank as our top pest control providers.
FAQ About Bed Bug Extermination Cost
How much does a mattress cover cost?
Mattress covers help protect against bed bugs. Most basic mattress covers cost around $20, though a complete set of covers may cost more for your box spring and mattress.
Can I get rid of bed bugs on my own?
While it’s possible to address your bed bug infestation by vacuuming the area and washing your linens, most DIY methods are temporary solutions. To completely address a bed bug issue, it’s best to call a pest control expert.
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are wingless and have flat, oval-shaped bodies that are brownish-red in color. They are usually only about a quarter-inch long or about the size of an apple seed.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.