Getting rid of ants usually costs between $80 and $500, with most homeowners spending around $150. Ants are one of the most common pests, known for their large colonies and elaborate dirt mounds. While you can easily remove a few ants from your countertops, larger infestations often require a professional. In this article, we use our research into the best pest control companies to help you understand the cost of ant extermination and show you how to prevent future infestations.
What Are the Signs of an Ant Infestation by Species?
Understanding which ant species you’re dealing with is key to effective pest control. Different ants have unique habits and preferences, affecting how they invade spaces and how you can get rid of them. Here are some common ants you might find in your home and how to spot them.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants dig into wood to create their nests, sometimes causing structural issues. These ants don’t eat the wood, leaving behind sawdust-like debris near windowsills and wooden beams. If you see tiny piles of what looks like sawdust, consider reaching out to a pest control service. Carpenter ants can cause damage and costly repairs.
Fire Ants
Recognizable by their reddish-brown color and painful sting, fire ants build noticeable mounds, especially after rain. Look for these sandy piles in open spaces like parks and gardens. While their stings are painful, they’re usually not dangerous. However, people who are allergic might need medical help if stung.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are tiny and range from yellow to light brown. They’re notorious for invading kitchens in search of food. Watch for these ants on the countertops and along the edges of sinks. They can contaminate food and surfaces, so clean up food spills quickly.
Odorous House Ants
Known for the distinct smell they release when crushed, odorous house ants are small and dark brown or black. They’re often seen near sweets and water sources. If you notice a strong, rotten coconut smell nearby, you’ve likely found these ants. It’s common to see these ants foraging for food along your kitchen floor or countertops. While they won’t damage your home’s structure, they can spread harmful bacteria.
How Much Does Ant Exterminator Cost on Average?
Ant extermination costs between $80 and $500, with an average cost of $150, according to HomeAdvisor. This cost estimate is influenced by the number of treatments your infestation requires. For example, if you need four treatments over the course of a year, you can expect to pay closer to $500.
You can also opt for monthly treatments to maintain an ant-free home. These regular treatments start with an initial fee before a company charges you month to month. This initial visit typically costs between $150 and $300. After an initial treatment plan is created, expect to pay between $40 and $70 per follow-up appointment.
What Factors Affect Ant Extermination Pricing?
The cost of ant extermination is influenced by a variety of factors, such as ant type, the severity of an infestation, the square footage of your home, and necessary treatments. Below is a breakdown of each factor and how it impacts your total estimate.
Ant Type
Not all species of ants require the same extermination methods. For example, you may receive a more expensive quote for removing carpenter ants burrowed inside your home’s walls than you would for destroying a few fire ant mounds.
View the chart below for rough estimates of extermination costs based on ant type.
| Ant Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
|
Pharaoh and sugar ants |
$200–$250 |
|
Fire ants |
$100–$300 |
|
Carpenter ants |
$250–$500 |
Square Footage
While some companies charge by the square foot of your home, others will do a general price increase or decrease based on how your home’s size measures up to the average home they service. Below is an estimate of how the square footage of your home affects the overall cost of treatment.
| Square Footage of House | One-Time Treatment Cost |
|---|---|
|
2,000 square feet |
$160 |
|
2,000–3,500 square feet |
$180 |
|
3,500–5,000 square feet |
$200 |
Note: This chart is a reflection of how square footage impacts ant extermination costs. Your total estimate will likely be influenced by other factors, such as infestation severity, ant type, and more.
Infestation Level
The severity of your ant infestation correlates with the amount of time, visits, and effort required from an exterminator. As such, expect to pay more as the severity of your infestation increases.
Extermination Technique
Your treatment cost will also depend on the extermination techniques used by your provider. For example, the cost of a treatment insecticide spray will be cheaper than a combination of treatment sprays and professional-grade poison traps.
Should You DIY vs. Professional Ant Removal?
If you have a small infestation and need to get rid of ants in the kitchen or another area of your home, consider DIY methods and products for ant extermination. Here are some of the most common ant extermination treatments, how much they cost, and their pros and cons.
| Treatment | Average Price per Unit | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Granule ant baits |
$10–$20 |
Easy to spread across large areas, including your yard and home’s perimeter |
Some granules are for outdoor use only |
|
Gel ant baits |
$20–$30 |
Seeps into cracks and crevices to reach hidden areas |
Doesn’t cover as much area as other treatment options |
|
Bait stations |
$20–$30 |
Easy to use and long-lasting |
Can’t reach tight spaces like gel ant baits can |
It’s important to note that these at-home treatments may not work against large infestations. If your at-home remedy isn’t working, contact a pest control professional immediately. While the pest control cost may be more expensive than handling the problem yourself, you can rest assured that your provider will eliminate your ant problem and answer any questions you have along the way.
Here are some benefits of choosing a professional exterminator:
- Paying for professional services may be cheaper in the long run, since you won’t have to treat repeated infestations, making pest control worth it.
- Ant exterminators know the best way to treat your home without causing damage.
- A professional knows how to safely handle and use dangerous chemicals and repellents.
- Treating an ant infestation by yourself may require more time and energy than desired.
How Can You Avoid Future Ant Infestations?
Here are a few ways you can prevent ant infestations by sealing your home and removing their food sources:
- Apply a barrier spray: Have a pest control company apply a preventative barrier spray around your home. Treating the perimeter with a barrier spray or granules can help stop ants before they get inside.
- Clean dishes: Don’t leave dirty dishes in or around the sink. Even tiny crumbs can attract ants, so wash dishes immediately or load them into the dishwasher.
- Remove crumbs: Sweep and vacuum your home weekly to remove crumbs from your floors. Ants follow scent trails left by others, so regular cleaning helps disrupt their pathways.
- Seal cracks: Seal cracks and entry points with caulk. Use weatherstripping on doors and windows, and fill any small openings where ants might enter.
- Store food: Put your food in airtight containers. Keep pantry staples like cereal, flour, and sugar sealed, and transfer pet food to airtight containers to prevent ants from accessing it.
- Wipe surfaces: Wipe down heavily used surfaces, such as countertops and tables, with a damp cloth. This removes food and drink spills that attract ants. A mix of water, vinegar, and essential oils like tea tree oil can act as a natural repellent.
FAQ About Ant Extermination
What do pest control services use to get rid of ants?
To address the ant infestation in or around your home, most exterminators will first create a pest management strategy based on the type of ant. From there, they’ll secure your home’s perimeter with caulk and remove any sources of food around your home. Then, they’ll get rid of ants inside your home by setting up a combination of ant traps and poisoned bait.
What is the best natural way to repel ants?
One of the best and most accessible substances for naturally repelling ants is vinegar. To start, create a solution of one part vinegar and one part water and clean all of the hard surfaces in your home. The vinegar solution will dry, leaving an enduring scent that repels ants.
How long does it take for an ant treatment to start working?
Typically, ant treatments begin to work within 48 hours of application. However, you may see ants for up to a few weeks after the treatment has been applied depending on the extent of your infestation.
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.
