How much does pest control service cost?

Author: Daniel W.
Millions of people ask HomeGuide for cost estimates every year. We track the estimates they get from local companies, then we share those prices with you.

In many cases, a mouse trap or a can of bug spray won’t do the trick when you want to get rid of pests in your house. That’s when it’s time to call in the pros.

Of course, professional pest control isn’t free. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars to hire a pest control service for a one-time visit to kick out the termites. But by reading this guide, you can ensure you’re not overpaying (or even underpaying) for pest control.

The national average cost for pest control was $170 as of January 2018, with a general range of $100 to $270. But what you’ll end up paying for pest control might be lower or higher, depending on what type of pests you’re trying to evict and how often you’re getting the service.

Table of contents

1. Pricing Factors
2. How does frequency affect the cost?
3. Where do home size and product types fit in?
4. Does location matter?
5. How can I find the best price?
6. How important is price?
7. Can I negotiate the price?
8. What should I avoid so I don’t get cheated?
9. What should I do before signing a contract?
10. What should I ask about the business?

Pricing Factors

Protection against common household pests like spiders, roaches and ants is usually a standard component of a pest control program, but controlling pests like termites and rodents will increase the price because more advanced products and methods are needed.

Where do home size and product types fit in?

Other price factors include the size of your home and the type of pest control products that are used. In terms of the size of your home, bigger usually means pricier. So, chances are pest control for a 3,000-square-foot house will cost more than it does for a 1,500-square-foot condo.

Some exterminators charge an extra $25 for every 1,000 square feet over 1,500.

As for the type of products that are used, you’ll likely pay more for pest control service if the company applies products that are eco-friendly, according to Anti-Pesto. Furthermore, products to treat one kind of pest might be more expensive than products to treat another kind of pest.

Does location matter?

Anti-Pesto says pest control prices don’t vary greatly based on geographic location, but there are exceptions.

For instance, a wealthy neighborhood likely will have a lot of large, expensive homes, so pest control costs could be higher there because there’s more territory for a pest control company to cover in one of those homes.

Most pest control companies operate in standard service areas, so no travel fees should be assessed within those areas. However, a homeowner outside the standard service area or in a remote location might be charged travel fees to make up for additional time, mileage and transportation costs.

How can I find the best price?

As you should when buying a car or a house, you should shop around to see what the prices and reviews are for pest control in your area. One of the best places to start your search is online. Websites such as HomeGuide have amassed millions of reviews from homeowners and bring you free quotes almost instantly. This way, you can compare local pros and make an educated decison quickly. Also, hit up your friends, relatives, neighbors and colleagues for recommendations on reasonably priced, top-rated pest control services.

Most pest control companies provide free, on-site quotes for their services. You should seek bids from several businesses before making your final decision.

Anti-Pesto says you should look out for pest control providers that will nickel-and-dime you for services like retreatments. In almost all instances, retreatments should be free and covered under a company’s service guarantee.

In addition, watch out for companies that charge extra for same-day or next-day service. Anti-Pesto says this a warning sign that the company’s pricing might be unfair. Whatever you do, don’t rush into a decision.

“When most people discover a pest problem, they want the problem eliminated immediately. However, most problems can wait a few days so you have time to select a competent, reasonably priced company,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says.

How important is price?

Value is a key factor when hiring a pest control company, but quality is a big consideration, too, according to the EPA.

What should I avoid so I don’t get cheated?

Not every business is upstanding, so it’s wise to be on your toes when you’re in the market for pest control services. Here are a few things you should avoid, courtesy of the Better Business Bureau and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• A deal that sounds too good to be true. Rely on your common sense to separate unrealistic deals from normal ones.
• A person who comes to your house uninvited and offers a free pest inspection or pressures you to buy pest control treatments. That person very well could be a scam artist.
• A pest control business whose phone number isn’t listed or isn’t working.
• An offer to combine pest control services with other services, such as home repair or tree trimming, as part of a package if you immediately agree to have them done.

What should I ask about the business?

The EPA says things you should inquire about when choosing a pest control company include:

1. How long have you been in business at your current address? The answer will tell you something about the company’s stability.
2. Can you give me a list of customer references? If the company won’t provide one, that’s a red flag.
3. Will the person performing services at my home be certified or licensed? The answer will help indicate how professional the company is.
4. Can you show me a copy of your pest control license, copies of the labels of the pesticides you use and a rundown of how the pesticides are applied? An unwillingness to come up with these documents should raise suspicion.