How Much Does an Exterminator Cost? [2023]

The average cost of an exterminator ranges from $225 to $400 for a one-time visit. 

Pest infestations aren’t fun to deal with, but it’s important to get them resolved as quickly as possible to avoid further damage to your home. Getting help from a professional exterminator can almost guarantee that these unwelcome guests won’t stay in your home forever.

While hiring a pest control team can seem expensive upfront, an exterminator can help eliminate the infestation efficiently and thoroughly. This not only saves on long-term costs, but also time spent dealing with a pest infestation.

Below, we'll discuss how much an exterminator costs on average, as well as important factors to consider when choosing a pest control company for your home.

Average Cost of an Exterminator

If you choose to hire an exterminator, the cost will depend on factors such as the type of pest, the infestation size, and the treatment type. Based on independent research, the average cost of an exterminator ranges from $225 to $400 for a one-time visit. 

On the low end, you could pay around $100 for a one-time visit. This could be a small infestation that is easily treated. Examples include removing a small mouse nest or spraying down a small area infested with wasps. 

On the high end, you could pay up to $5,250 if your infestation requires multiple strategies and visits. This could be a large infestation of termites in your home’s wood structure. Not only could this require multiple extermination visits, but it could also lead to structural damage.

Pest Control Cost by Pest Type

Most pest control companies complete a consultation appointment before providing a quote. Quotes will vary depending on the pest type and the treatments involved.

Below are the average pest control costs by pest type based on independent research:

Now that we’ve covered average visit costs by type of pest, other factors can affect the total extermination cost.

10 Factors That Impact Extermination Cost

While the average cost of an exterminator ranges from $225 to $400, other factors can affect the cost of the extermination. Below we go through each factor that can impact your total cost.

1. Property Size

Once pests infiltrate your property, they’ll try to find the best place to camp out with access to food and water. A larger property may require a more extensive treatment, increasing the extermination cost. It’s unlikely the pests will stick to just one area of your home, so there may be multiple areas that require treatment. 

2. Infestation Size

If the area of infestation is small and can be treated in one appointment, then the extermination cost will be lower. On the other hand, larger infestation jobs that require multiple treatments will be more expensive. 

3. Infestation Location

The extermination cost will be higher if the infestation is located inside the walls or wood structure. The treatment may involve clearing out hard-to-reach places, which could require opening up walls — which will need repairing after the treatment.   

Surface infestations, like small rodents, can be easily treated with traps or pesticides. This type of infestation is much less costly, and won’t likely require in-depth treatment. 

4. Consultation

Most exterminators and pest control companies will complete a consultation to assess the type of infestation and location size. During the appointment, your exterminator will search for signs of an infestation, identify the outside entry points or nest, and determine the best treatment plan. 

In some cases, the exterminator can then complete an initial treatment. If it’s a smaller infestation, this may be the only necessary appointment. If it’s a larger infestation, the exterminator may suggest several follow-up appointments to complete the full treatment. 

A consultation appointment costs on average between $225 and $400. The consultation cost may be waived if you approve of the suggested treatment process, therefore only needing to pay for the treatment itself.

5. Treatment

The treatment cost will vary depending on several factors. Does the infestation require one treatment or multiple visits? Will your home need to be fumigated or can the infestation be treated with a few rodent traps or chemical spray? Does the exterminator require access to inside the walls and wood structure to complete treatment?

These factors will greatly impact the total extermination price. Keep in mind that different pest control companies have varying rates. Spend time evaluating these prices before deciding which pest control company you want to work with. 

6. Pest Type

Dealing with pests versus wild animals can determine the required treatment and cost. For pests like insects, it may require multiple strategies to remove them all from your home. It could also require several visits, depending on how bad the infestation is. 

If a raccoon has made a home in your basement or attic, an exterminator can help remove them and recommend how to close outside entry points. This infestation will most likely not reoccur if the entry points are sealed off. You’ll have to account for not only the removal cost but possible damage repairs. 

7. Home Repairs

The aftermath of the extermination may include repairing damages caused by the infestation. For example, if you’ve had a severe termite infestation, there may be serious structural damage. You may need a professional to either replace the damaged wood with termite-resistant wood or aid the damaged wood with supporting boards. Termite damage repair can range between $600 and $3,000, depending on the severity. 

9. Cleaning

After the treatments, you’ll need to give your home a good wash-down. Thoroughly clean where chemical treatments were used to remove leftover residue and pest waste and droppings. 

You can either choose to clean it yourself or hire a professional house cleaning team. If you do it yourself, you may need to budget in costs for cleaning supplies and protective equipment, like masks and gloves. If you hire a house cleaner, you’ll need to budget for hourly costs. 

The cleaning process can be rigorous, but it’s crucial to remove health hazards and decrease the chances of another infestation. 

10. Frequency

Exterminator prices will vary depending on the number of required visits. Below are the average costs for pest control visits. 

You may not need any more visits after the initial appointment if the infestation is resolved then. However, you can have an exterminator follow up to make sure everything looks up to standard.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Exterminator

Pest infestations aren't usually accounted for in your yearly budget, so it can certainly be hard to drop the money needed to solve an infestation issue. However, there are many benefits to hiring a professional exterminator versus completing the pest control yourself.

Safety

The range of safety will depend on the type of pest you’re dealing with. Small rodents or wild animals can spread disease or react aggressively when trapped. Pests like bedbugs and fire ants can leave irritating bites and reactions. And chemical sprays, powders, or bug bombs can be dangerous if mishandled.

A professional exterminator will determine the best course of action for your situation and safely perform the treatment. 

Cost 

Although the upfront cost for an exterminator can seem high, you might end up spending more on DIY pest control supplies than having a professional treatment done. This is especially true if the pests routinely come back, meaning you haven’t fully eradicated them from your house. 

There are some pest control companies that offer a warranty that includes free treatments during a determined period of time following your appointment. 

Efficiency 

Pests — particularly insects — can be difficult to remove from your house by yourself. It may require significant time to research the issue, purchase and apply chemical treatments, and continue to monitor the situation. 

With an exterminator, you’ll know that the infestation will be taken care of much quicker, and you won’t need to worry about getting all the proper tools and supplies to do it yourself.

How To Choose a Pest Control Company

Now that we’ve established the average cost of an exterminator, it’s time to find the best pest control company for the job. 

Here are some tips for evaluating a pest control company before booking an appointment:

• Get recommendations from family and friends: Connect with close friends and family who have experienced pest problems and may be able to recommend a high-quality pest control company. Inquiring on social media can also help broaden your reach and find several companies to look into. 

• Read online reviews: Read customer reviews of the companies on multiple sites. Avoid reading reviews on the company website, as they may be biased. 

• Schedule a consultation: If the company’s reviews look good and/or they got a solid recommendation, schedule a consultation for their team to come look at your property.  

• Gather multiple quotes: Typically, after a thorough consultation, the exterminator will present a quote for the total cost of pest removal. It’s best to schedule several consultations and get multiple quotes to evaluate prices.

When selecting a pest control company, it’s wise to choose one that has many years of experience, proper licenses, and positive reviews.

FAQ

Below are answers to a few commonly asked questions about how much an exterminator costs and different types of pests.

• What Types of Pests Can Cause the Most Damage?
• Which Pests Require More Than One Treatment To Control?
• What Are the First Signs of a Pest Infestation?
• How Much Does DIY Pest Control Cost?
• How Can You Prevent Pests in Your Home?
• Are Pesticides Safe for Pets?

Find a Local Pest Control Company Near You

A pest infestation is a serious problem that can damage your home and cause financial consequences if left untreated. Hiring a professional exterminator can help you treat the infestation and prevent future issues. 

Looking for an exterminator near you? Expertise.com researches and seeks out the best exterminators across the U.S. Explore our top-rated pest control companies today.