Between all of the maintenance costs of owning a home, the last thing you want to pay for is pest control.
It’s understandable. Pests are already such a nuisance, and the last thing you want to add on top is a massive pest control bill.
But, oftentimes, the cost of pest control is more affordable than many people think it is. And preventative pest care can cost even less and give you greater peace of mind.
To help you navigate the world of pest control, let’s discuss how much you can expect to pay for your average pest control service.
Average Pest Control Prices
Pest control prices generally differ by the level of service you require and the type of pest that needs to be controlled.
For homeowners, three types of pest control services are generally available:
- Preventative: A monthly-pest maintenance plan designed to prevent pests from entering your property.
- On-going: Exterminator services designed to eliminate pests on your property throughout one or multiple visits.
- Emergency: Extreme services required to eliminate a full-blown infestation, such as fumigation.
Emergency services will yield the highest pest control costs, while preventative maintenance will yield the cheapest.
For example, my company’s Pest Protect 365 plan will cost the average homeowner or business around $50 or more a month, depending on several circumstances.
However, ongoing treatments for pest control could cost upwards of $100 or more per visit, compounding the amount with each visit.
Finally, emergency termite treatments for subterranean termites that have invaded a home could be upwards of $1000, depending on the size of the home.
| Treatment | Estimated Cost |
| Ongoing Treatment | $100-$300 per appointment |
| Monthly Maintenance | $40-$70 per month |
| Emergency Service | Upwards of $1000 |
Pest Control Prices By Pest Type
As previously mentioned, pest control costs tend to differ by pests, which require different treatments for elimination.
To help you determine what to expect from each pest, we’ve created a table of the average cost per pest below.
| Pest Type | Estimated Pest Control Cost |
| Ants | $100-$500 |
| Bed Bugs | $300-$5000 |
| Cockroaches | $100-$400 |
| Rodents | $150-$500 |
| Spiders | $100-$200 |
| Stink Bugs | $100-$300 |
| Termites | $200-$8000 (depending on treatment) |
Source: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-pest-control-service-cost.htm
These estimates are based on nationwide data. They include various factors that impact their pricing, which you should be aware of.
What Factors Influence Pest Control Prices?
- Pest Types: Pests, like bed bugs and termites, that warrant more aggressive treatments will cost more to treat than ordinary pests, like mosquitos, moths, spiders, and bees.
- Treatment Type: Pest control prices vary widely by treatment type, with some exterminator services, such as fumigation, costing thousands of dollars. On the other hand, wildlife pest removal may cost as little as $100.
- Level of Infestation: The severity of the infestation will influence what treatment types need to be taken, as well as how many visits may be required by your exterminator.
- Commercial vs. Residential: Commercial pest control will be more expensive than residential because commercial properties are typically larger and require more hands-on work.
- Property Size: Larger properties may require more labor for inspections and treatments, driving up the cost of your service.
- Exterminator: Pest control prices vary widely between exterminators, so find one that is comfortable for your price range.
How Does Monthly Pest Maintenance Compare to Emergency Services?
To compare the price of preventative pest control with emergency services, you need to calculate how much annual pest control costs for generalized prevention. According to Architectural Digest, the average person can expect to pay as much as $400 to $950 for annual pest control.
While more expensive than some of the services listed above, you need to factor in that preventive maintenance accounts for every type of pest and is significantly cheaper than emergency services for bed bugs or termites.
Furthermore, businesses and homeowners can benefit more from the peace of mind that preventative maintenance provides, ensuring your home/business is entirely pest free.
When Is the Right Time to Call an Exterminator?
While some people may be tempted to save money using DIY pest control, most professionals generally recommend against it.
For example, spotting certain pests like cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites will automatically imply an infestation and require quick treatment.
Furthermore, these bugs are very difficult to contain on their own and often require pesticides to eliminate them for good.
On the other hand, pests like rats may be easier to deal with during the cold winter months if there are not too many already in your house.
For this reason, if you spot bed bugs, cockroaches, termites, multiple rodents, and a huge infestation of any other pest, you will save more money and get rid of them faster with the help of an exterminator.
FAQs: Pest Control Cost
Is it cheaper to do pest control on your own?
DIY pest control may be cheaper short-term, but it all depends on its efficacy. If you cannot successfully treat a pest infestation on your own, then you will pay significantly more than if you hired a professional in the first place.
How often should pest control be done?
Most exterminators recommend monthly service, though quarterly is also acceptable. The more your home is inspected and treated, the safer it will be from pests.
Is pest control worth it?
Professional pest control is very affordable, safe, and effective, making it the right choice in the case of an emergency or any type of infestation.