How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2024 Guide)
Typical cost range:
$300–$500
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It may be time to call in a professional when you see pest populations multiplying in and around your home. The amount you’ll pay for pest control varies based on the number of treatments you need, the type of pests, and the severity of the infestation.
We’ve researched the best pest control companies by reading their service plans, analyzing their business histories, combing through thousands of customer reviews, and secret-shopping pest control treatments. Our top pick is Terminix for its comprehensive pest control plans and specialty termite treatments. Read our guide below to learn more about pest control pricing and our top recommended providers.
Key Takeaways
- The average cost of a one-time pest control treatment is $300 to $500.
- Termite treatment costs range from $500 to $1,500.
- We recommend Terminix and Orkin as the top pest control companies. They offer comprehensive general pest control plans and the widest variety of specialty treatments.
Signs You Need Pest Control
Each kind of pest gives off different warning signs when infesting a home. Mice will leave dark streaks on floorboards, termites produce a sawdust-like material called frass, and cockroaches leave small, purse-shaped egg casings.
Watch for pest warning signs of peststo identify which home invader you’re dealing with. Spotting pests early helps minimize the damage they can do and will save you money down the line. Here are a few common signs that indicate you may need to call a pest control company:
- Damaged paper food containers
- Discarded wings
- Egg casings
- Foul, musty odors
- Foul-smelling, dark streaks on walls, floorboards, or trim
- Gnaw marks on furniture
- Insect corpses
- Pellet-shaped droppings
- Rustling sounds coming from walls
- Sawdust-like mounds
How Much Does Pet Control Cost on Average?
Initial visits typically cost between $300 and $500, with follow-up appointments costing between $150 and $300. We outline average pest control pricing by service and pest type below.
How Much Does Pest Control Cost by Service Type?
The cost for a one-time pest control visit averages between $300 and $550, according to HomeAdvisor. This cost is generally higher than regular visits because the technician will need to investigate and diagnose the problem and provide treatment all at one time.
Unfortunately, not all pest management can be accomplished in a single visit. You might need repeated treatments to rid your home of the problem. If a technician determines that you’ll need multiple treatments to address your pest issue, the initial visit will usually cost between $150 and $300. During the initial visit, a technician will identify the problem, locate the nest or site of the heaviest infestation, create a pest management plan, and perform the initial spraying or trap-laying.
Periodic visits to maintain the plan usually range from $40 to $70 and can occur monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly, depending on your pest control needs. If you choose a quarterly plan, expect to pay between $100 and $300 per treatment. Annual pest control services for small infestations or yearly inspections typically cost around $300 to $500, which is similar to a single-visit treatment.
Finally, full-house fumigation is one of the most expensive pest control treatments due to the equipment and labor needed to perform the service. Fumigation costs typically run about $2,000 to $8,000, or about $1 to $4 per square foot of your home.
How Much Does Pest Control Cost by Type of Pest?
The cost of pest control can vary greatly depending on the type of infestation in your home. Here is a list of common pests and the average costs to get rid of them.
| Pest | Average Cost |
|---|---|
|
$100–$400 |
|
|
$100–$500 |
|
|
$300–$5,000 |
|
|
$450 |
|
|
Carpet beetles |
$150–$450 |
|
$75–$400 |
|
|
$180–$540 |
|
|
Moths |
$100–$200 |
|
Mosquitoes |
$70–$1,900 |
|
Spiders |
$150–$500 |
|
Termite inspection |
$100 |
|
Termite treatment |
$400–$1,500 |
|
$100–$1,300 |
Who Are The Best Pest Control Companies?
We recommend the following pest control companies for their national reach, extensive services, and affordable treatment options. Both of these providers offer free estimates, so consider requesting a quote from each company before making a final decision.
Terminix
Best for Termite Control
Terminix Rating
Learn More: Terminix Pest Control Review
Orkin
Best General Pest Control
Orkin Rating
Learn More: Orkin Pest Control Review
What Factors Affect Pest Control Pricing?
The wide cost ranges for pest control services are due to a variety of factors, including the following:
- Type of service: Depending on your pest issue, you might need chemical sprays, bait traps, fumigation, or other services, all of which have different price tags.
- Frequency of service: The more frequent the visits, the less each one will cost you.
- Location: If your home is in a remote or hard-to-access area, a technician will likely charge a bit more to cover travel costs.
- Type of pests: Some pests are easier to treat than others, leading to different pricing structures.
- Type of treatment: Environmentally friendly products tend to cost more than chemical treatments.
- Size of infestation: Larger, more deeply rooted infestations will cost more than smaller ones.
- Size of property: Many pest control and prevention strategies involve surrounding the perimeter of the home, so larger homes will cost more to treat.
How Often Do I Need Pest Control?
Your frequency of pest control treatments depends on the type of pest you’re dealing with, your location, and your treatment plan. Some infestations only require a single treatment to remove. Others, such as cockroaches or termites, can require multiple applications to eradicate. Homes next to forests or other pest-prone areas will require recurring plans to keep pests away.
The time between plan visits will largely depend on the type of pesticides the pest control company uses. Most pesticides work for 90 days to six months. Because of this, most homeowners opt for quarterly pest control visits when choosing a recurring plan.
Is Pest Control Worth It?
We believe that pest control is well worth the cost. Pests can disrupt our lives, endanger our health, and destroy our property. Many pests can be difficult and dangerous to remove without the right equipment. For example, rodent and raccoon nests are filled with disease-ridden droppings and require personal protective equipment (PPE) gear to handle safely.
Pest control companies have the tools, training, and experience to eliminate pest problems quickly and safely. They can create a comprehensive prevention plan to ensure your home is free of future pests. We recommend Terminix as the best pest control company. Terminix has a wide selection of pest control plans, including special treatments for termites and rodents. It also has an industry-leading warranty that can cover damage from termites if they return.
FAQ About Pest Control Pricing
Why is termite control so expensive?
Unfortunately, termite treatment is not something you can do yourself. Termite nests are often hidden deeply within a structure or under a foundation, and colonies are extremely large—often housing thousands of termites. Some infestations are worse than others, so it’s important to act quickly if you see signs of termites in your home.
How much is pest control per year?
If you only receive one pest control treatment per year, it will usually cost between $300 and $550. However, if you have a larger pest infestation, you may need quarterly or monthly treatments. Quarterly visits will cost $400 to $1,200 per year, and monthly visits will range from $480 to $840. This doesn’t include the cost of an initial visit, which may be necessary to diagnose the problem and plan for treatments.
Is professional pest control worth it?
This is a question you’ll have to answer for yourself based on your needs and budget. When it comes to pests that cause structural damage, such as termites and wood-boring beetles, or pests that can cause health problems, such as fleas, ticks, and bed bugs, it’s often well worth the cost to get rid of the infestation quickly with a professional pest control company.
Is it cheaper to do your own pest control?
Doing your own pest control may come with cheaper up-front costs, but professional service ensures that your pest infestation is met with the level of expertise necessary to eradicate the current issue and provide protection against future infestations.
Does pest control cause more bugs?
Certain pest control treatments may initially lead to a greater visible presence of insects. The treatment may take time to work properly and may even flush out active populations.
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.