A one-time exterminator visit costs $100 to $500 for most homes, with a national average around $225. The price depends on the pest, the severity of the infestation, and your home size. General insect treatment sits at the low end, while wildlife removal and termite or bed bug work cost more. Here is the full breakdown.
- A one-time exterminator visit runs $100 to $500, averaging about $225.
- Wildlife removal costs $200 to $600, usually billed separately from general pest control.
- Recurring plans run $40 to $70 a month after an initial treatment of $150 to $300.
- The pest type is the biggest cost driver, not the size of your home.
Cost by Pest Type
The pest determines the price more than anything else. General insects like ants, spiders, and roaches cost the least, while rodents, termites, bed bugs, and wildlife cost more because they need more labor and follow-up.
| Pest | One-Time Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General pests (ants, spiders, roaches) | $100 to $300 | Standard spray or bait |
| Rodents (mice and rats) | $200 to $600 | Trapping plus sealing entry points |
| Wildlife removal | $200 to $600 | Trapping and exclusion |
| Wasps and hornets | $100 to $400 | Usually one-time |
| Termites | $250 to $1,500+ | Often an annual bond |
| Bed bugs | $300 to $5,000 | Heat or chemical, multiple visits |
One-Time Visit vs. Recurring Plans
A one-time visit is best for a single, contained problem. A recurring plan spreads the cost out and keeps pests from returning. Quarterly service runs $100 to $300 per visit, while monthly service runs $40 to $70 per visit after the initial treatment. If you want a number for your own job before calling anyone, my cost calculator turns these ranges into an estimate in 30 seconds.
For most homes, a quarterly plan is the best balance of coverage and cost. Annual contracts typically run $300 to $900, and most include free callbacks if pests return between visits.
What Drives the Price
Infestation severity. A few ants in the kitchen is a $150 job. A cockroach infestation spread through the house, or a wildlife den in the attic, costs far more.
Home size. Larger homes have more area to inspect and treat, and most companies price by square footage.
Location. Labor and fuel cost more in the Northeast and on the West Coast, so quotes in those markets tend to come in above the national average, while the Southeast and Midwest tend to be lower.
Ask whether the quote includes follow-up visits, sealing, and any cleanup. After-hours or weekend service can add $100 to $200. Some companies charge extra per visit, others per project, so get an itemized estimate and compare what is actually included.
Exterminator vs. Wildlife Removal
They are different services. An exterminator handles insects and often rodents, while wildlife removal handles animals like raccoons, squirrels, bats, and snakes. Wildlife work runs $200 to $600 and almost always includes exclusion, which is the step that keeps the animal from coming back.
If you hear something in the attic or walls, you need a wildlife removal pro, not a general exterminator.
When to Pay for Professional Help
Call a pro when the problem is recurring, when it involves a colony or den, or when pests are inside walls, attics, or other hard-to-reach spaces. These jobs need inspection, exclusion, and follow-up that retail products cannot provide. For wildlife, always call a licensed operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monthly pest control service runs $40 to $70 per visit after an initial treatment of $150 to $300. This is the most cost-effective per-visit rate but the highest annual total.
For a small, isolated problem, yes. Retail products cost $5 to $50. But DIY rarely solves the root cause, and a recurring problem costs more over time than a professional treatment with exclusion.
Most charge an initial visit of $150 to $300, which includes inspection and the first treatment. Some companies waive or credit the inspection fee if you sign up for a plan.
Bed bugs and termites are the most expensive, running $1,000 to $5,000 or more for whole-home treatment. Wildlife removal and rodent exclusion are the next tier, at $200 to $600 for a standard job.
Get at least three itemized estimates and compare what each includes. Ask whether follow-up visits, sealing, and cleanup are bundled. A slightly higher quote that includes exclusion often costs less in the long run than a bare trapping fee.
