Having pests at home is a big no-no. This is the reason why homeowners hire an exterminator immediately after suspecting rodents or termites in their house. If you think your home has pests, you’re probably wondering how much you’ll need to shell out for this type of service is.
But first things first – what is the difference between an exterminator and a pest control service? An exterminator like Terminix uses certain chemicals to get rid of pests. They come in, inspect your home, apply the chemicals, and then that’s it. There are no follow ups in most cases. A pest control service like Ecoshield Pest Control on the other hand, not only gets rid of pests but they also provide you with a detailed plan to keep them out.
Cost of Hiring an Exterminator
The cost depends on several factors such as the type of pest in your home and how long you’ve had a pest problem. Expect to pay anywhere between $125 and $300 to exterminate the usual household pests and insects, with an average of about $175 per visit. It’s important to understand however that many extermination services require more than a single visit to completely get rid of pests.
Factors to Consider
There are factors that can increase or lower the exterminator cost such as:
- The type of pest and size of infestation
- Location and accessibility of the infestation
- Size of home
- The types and number of treatments required
Type of Pest
Pest problems that are unresolved for a very long time get worse. Pests don’t leave on their own, and they will in fact multiply. If it’s a small infestation and the problem just started, you’ll likely pay less than if it’s a much larger infestation, that will necessitate multiple visits.
Infestation Location and Accessibility
Some pests stay in the backs of shelves and cabinets as long as they have food. Others however can roam all over your house and stay inside walls and ceilings making it difficult to find them. These issues can drive up the cost of extermination since they will need to tear down some walls and structures.
Size of Home
A larger home typically gives pests more places to build their nest and hide, which in turn will make the extermination fees higher.
Number of Treatments Needed
You’ll find the exterminator cost to vary depending on the treatment option that will be used. Some pest issues can be resolved in a single visit, while others will require multiple visits.
At times a chemical solution is needed, while in some cases, a physical trap will be used. In severe cases, fumigation of the entire house will need to be done.
- Physical Traps – These traps can cost anywhere between $300 to $700 per visit.
- Chemical Treatment – The exterminator cost for using chemicals is around $1550 to $400 per visit.
- Fumigation – This is the last line of defense and is only reserved for severe pest issues like severe termite infestation. Fumigation services can cost anywhere between $2,000 to $8,000.
To add, exterminator cost will also vary depending on how many times the exterminator has to go to your home.
- First visit: $150 to $300
- Monthly visits: $40 to $70
- Quarterly visits: $100 to $300
- Yearly visit: $300 to $550
Check out this video of an exterminator removing a hornet’s nest: