When people start suspecting that they have bed bugs, the cost of treatment is their biggest concern. Many are surprised to find out just how cost-effective it can become to hire a pest company to handle the problem.
There are some typical cost ranges that you should expect to pay. That is when you want to remove any signs of an infestation. You can also have a professional exterminator take care of them for you. These price ranges reflect entirely separate scenarios. Cost differences may apply based on the severity of the situation, methods used, and so on.
Signs and Causes of Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bugs like to invade homes during hot weather or when people travel, especially by plane. The bugs hide in luggage and items that you bring. They can come home without your knowledge when left unchecked.
The first sign of bed bugs is seeing them. These insects are very small, about the size of an apple seed. You may also notice what look like bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases. These are fecal matters from the bed bugs after they feed on you at night. Seeing these signs before anything else can help guide treatment cost estimates. It is important to know just how many there are when it is time to get rid of them.
Average Cost of Bed Bug Exterminator
Inspectors cost between $50 and $100 per visit. This includes the cost of visiting your home, doing a thorough inspection, and giving you a free estimate for treatment costs.
What do these services typically cover?
- Inspecting within several rooms of the house
- Educating you on how to avoid bringing them back into your home
- Identifying where they are coming from in your home
- Recommending a course of action when the cost is an issue such as hiring a bed bug pest control company
Some companies cost higher, and some charge less. This is not a one size fits all amount. It depends on the pest control company itself and what services it offers.
Factors That Affect Bed Bug Pricing
Familiarize with four of them below:
Inspections Rates
Most cost between $100 and $200 for an inspection. It is worth it though when you have the budget available. Again, this cost is nothing more than a visiting fee. It does not include treatment cost estimates or any actual extermination work.
Plenty of pest control companies use thermal detection devices to find bed bugs within your home. This method involves using high-tech methods of searching for them that they cannot hide from. One type uses high heat temperatures to kill all stages of bed bugs at once and even the eggs they carry. No chance of survival means they will not bother you anymore soon after paying for these services.
Number of Visits
The cost of multiple visits can get expensive. Some pests take several rounds of treatment to eliminate them from your home. The price difference will depend on just how persistent these bed bugs are in your area and what you want to do about them.
When you require this type of process, make sure the company providing the cost estimate does not charge for travel time between trips or the cost per mile that their technicians ride to reach you. This fee ranges between $20 and $50 each time they visit your home over two or three separate service calls.
Sometimes bed bug re-infestation occurs. It only takes one pregnant female mosquito to start an infestation. While most treatments are nearly 100% effective against them, there is always the chance that a stray insect made it out alive during treatment time or before its scheduled appointment date. Plus, you can never become too careful.
Treatment Type
Cost varies based on the method of extermination chosen. Traditional cost is around $50 to $100 per room. That is when you are dealing with several rooms throughout your home. It can cost more when you need bed bug heat treatment or fumigation (fogging).
They cost between $200 and $450 per treatment, depending on how many rooms there are for them to treat. Heat treatments cost more as they require specialized equipment. These include thermal detection devices and high-tech machinery to detect the presence of bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle.
There are several different types of bed bug treatments, and they can vary significantly in price. Some require additional visits while others may become more expensive than other options. Know what you are getting before starting a program.
Severity of Infestation
The cost of getting rid of bed bugs is between $50 and $4,000. When you only had a few on hand and they were easy to eliminate, the value will fall under $500. On the other end of the cost spectrum, when you have a harder infestation to handle or require more than one treatment, expect it to reach as much as $4,000 for complete eradication.
Some costs for a standard, one-time visit will become anywhere from $50 to $200. But when you have bed bugs in several rooms, it is going to cost more. Your value could range anywhere between $100 and $300 per room that needs treatment. The base cost of extermination increases or decreases depending on their location (example: when you find them within the bathroom).
Number of Infested Rooms
The cost of bed bug extermination ranges between $50 and $4,000. It will depend on the number of infested rooms with them, how badly the infestation is, and what method requires to treat them.
Treatments range in cost depending on several factors. When you want one-time or standard treatments, expect to pay between $50 and $200 per room affected. But when you have multiple visits needed for different rooms within your home, it can reach more than $400 per visit.
Location is another factor in cost with some methods being more expensive than others. Extermination costs for bed bugs in bathrooms or behind baseboard outlets tend to become higher due to having more complicated and more difficult-to-reach areas.
Exterminator Pricing Based on Number of Infested Rooms
Learn more about the estimated prices that you can prepare for from one to multiple rooms. Below is a guide:
One room
The average cost to treat a single room for bed bugs is approximately $300. But when you have an infestation that has spread beyond just one bedroom in your home, it will become more costly. This is especially since there are three different methods available.
One is heat treatment. Another needs freezing temperatures (freezing treatment) below 32 degrees Fahrenheit which can limit their mobility. Each requires specific equipment like vacuums or dirt dogs designed specifically for the treatment. There is the cost of fumigation. Also, identify it as fogging and requires specialized equipment like foggers, dual predator machines, and thermal detection devices (TDDs).
Two rooms
Bed bug infestations are annoying and can become expensive to get rid of. The average cost for two rooms in your home is between $750 to $900. But it could go up when you have a lot more bugs! It takes around three months after they first come into contact with an infected person before these pests start spreading rapidly.
But this timeline may vary depending on location as some people see their problem sooner. Heat treatment works well when chemical options fail. Higher temperatures kill off all stages including larvae. These would otherwise develop into adults without pesticides killing them first. Use caution while dealing with these types of treatments near children.
Three Rooms
To get rid of bed bugs, you can expect to pay around $1 to $3 per room. In homes with three or more bedrooms, the cost may increase significantly! It will need removal from each area they actively invaded which could become a lot. Pest control specialists trap them using bait and/or use dogs that sniff out pests.
Fumigation treatments might also come in handy. But only when all other methods fail, do these as last resorts become necessary. Do not wait until it is too late before getting help.
A typical three-room home will range anywhere between $1,050 to $1,300 for pest control services. But this price can reduce when you live in an area with a high population density. Another scenario is multiple properties nearby that need treatment at once.
Four Rooms
Pest control companies can charge $1,500 to $2,000 for treating four rooms. For the cost of bed bug treatment, ask your bed bug exterminator whether he can offer any discounts or coupons for multiple rooms. It will help keep costs down which you may need to do so.
When you have more than one room affected with bed bugs, this cost must also include an inspection to locate their hiding areas. This process is essential because it determines what products and methods will best suit your infestation. They have varied preferences in places where they go.
Whole House Treatment
When funds are no object, you can consider the cost of bed bug treatment for your entire home. It will cost $3,000 to $5,000 and up for a widespread problem. This cost is hard to swallow when you add on removal from each room affected. Remember that heat treatments require specialized equipment while your treatment products must have a proper use. This is by their directions so as not to cause further harm while killing all bugs within your walls.
In most cases, bed bugs stay close to where they feed. But when you live in an overpopulated residence or dormitory-style setting, your whole house may have an infestation with these annoying insects. Fumigation treatments could help get rid of them for good.
Treatment Type
It will cost around $1,500 to treat a typical home. But it could cost as much as $5,000 for removing bed bugs from an entire house. In either case, you need to exterminate them from the whole building or structure where they infest your living space.
The cost of bed bug treatment can become tricky because there are so many variables that go into it. It requires a lot of time and effort on their part combined with some expertise. Get ready for frustration but the results should leave you satisfied that you finally put this problem behind you.
Bed Bug Treatment Type Comparison
Gain insights about five types of bed bug treatments that you can have below:
Heat
This cost of bed bug treatment type can cost anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 per home. It is the most expensive method as it requires extensive knowledge as well as costly equipment. Use it to monitor the temperature and duration required for killing them without leaving any eggs behind.
Inspection costs will range between $100-$200 depending on your area. A pest control company may charge more for this process when they need to use dogs or traps while searching out their hiding spots. You are aware of where these pests love to hide. Ask a person who knows bed bugs whether it is safe removing them yourself.
Chemicals
Bed Bug Exterminators cost around $150-$300 for a typical home. You can save money by investing in the equipment they use to treat your infestation. These are worth around $100 per room. They come with pest-killing products that you can spray on bed bugs while still hiding inside walls. This cost of bed bug treatment is limited because you have to keep buying the ingredients to make it work over time.
Chemical treatments cost up to $200 per room. It is a cost-effective solution for a one-room-only infestation. But it will cost more depending on how many rooms you have. Factors include inspection costs and materials to use when they are in hiding.
Steam
This cost of bed bug treatment is anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 to cover your entire living space. But you can save up on the cost of dry cleaning and laundry when these pests infest your clothes and linens. Steam treatments cost less than paying for dry cleaning every few weeks.
Steam treatments for bed bugs should cost between $2 and $7.50 per sq ft or about $250 to $1,000 to treat an entire room. It does not use harmful chemicals like pesticides. But instead relies on high temperature from the steamer. The reason why this works so well against them is that it kills all stages of the life cycle of a bug including eggs.
Freeze
The cost of bed bug treatment is around $1,000 to $2,000 to cover an infested house. It does not cost as much as other methods because it kills them through low-heat and freezing temperatures. There is no need for expensive equipment and you do not have to worry about harmful chemicals getting inside your home.
Contractors cost around $100 to $150 per room. When you decide to use DIY methods like cold air killing devices, the cost will become the same as alternative treatments. These require purchasing supplies such as steaming or buying pesticides from a store. The cost of bed bug treatment averages $100 per room when done yourself. This method does not work for those looking to kill all stages of their life cycle.
Fumigation
Bed Bug Exterminators cost about $50 to $100 per room. You can also opt for do-it-yourself methods to kill bed bugs including purchasing pest bombs from your local store. DIY treatments cost around $12 per sq ft or about $1,000 to cover an entire home. But there is a risk of doing it yourself especially when you have no prior knowledge on how you should go about it.
Contractors cost around $5,000 to $10,000 for a one-time treatment process in a home infested with bed bugs. They use fumigation which involves saturating the living space with poisonous gas. It kills on contact inside walls and cracks where they hide.
Infestation Severity
The cost of bed bug treatment is more when you have a severe infestation and not just a few ones crawling around. It will depend on the degree of your infestation as well as how many rooms you want to cover. You must also take note that this cost ranges between $500 and $1,500 per room depending on how extensive it is. For instance, when there are walls with cracks and crevices where they hide.
The cost of bed bug treatment can vary depending on the severity. When you have an extremely high infestation, it will likely become more expensive. This is compared to when your home was only lightly infected or there were no signs at all.
Bed Bug Pricing Based on Infestation Level
Expand your knowledge on how the bed bug infestation level affects your future finances for it.
Frequency
The cost of bed bug treatment also depends on how extensive it is and the frequency. When your home requires multiple applications, you will pay more than when one was enough to get rid of them.
Before you start planning, you must know that the cost of bed bug treatment varies with each type of pest control method used. It can cost $1,000 for a single room or lose this in treating an entire house or building.
When you decide to use DIY methods like cold air killing machines and homemade pesticides, the cost becomes similar to hiring bed bug exterminators. It can cost about $50 per sq ft. It does not cost as much as applying chemical pesticides.
Exterminator Pricing Based on Frequency
The cost of bed bug treatment also depends on how often your home treatment is. When you schedule professional pest control services every week, you will end up paying more than when they come in once or twice a year.
Treatments cost less when you only need one treatment like the heat chamber method. It costs about $100 to $150 per room. When you opt for DIY methods, the cost is similar to hiring bed bug exterminators when done professionally.
When it comes to heat chamber treatment cost, this averages about $100 per room for only one application. It can cost more than $300 in requiring multiple treatments to kill all stages in their life cycle.
DIY Bed Bug Removal vs. Using an Exterminator
When you want to get rid of bed bugs using a DIY method, the cost is similar to hiring a bed bug exterminator. DIY methods cost around $12 per square foot. It kills on contact, but it does not kill all stages in their life cycle which requires multiple applications.
DIY for pest control can become a cheaper option than hiring an expensive pest company. But you must know what type of chemicals are necessary for treatment. Professional-grade products may end up more effective as preventative measures eventually.
What to Look for When Hiring a Bed Bug Exterminator
Learn about three factors that you can consider for this service. Below is a guide:
Are they licensed and insured?
Pest companies need a license, bond, and insurance. Know if they have all of these before hiring them for bed bug treatment. The cost of bed bug treatment will become higher when they do it without a license, bond, and insurance.
Look for a pest control company that will take care of all your needs. It can exceed legal requirements in the industry. This is by following up on any concerns or complaints. The team keeps on working until resolving every pest problem.
Rely on a team of fully licensed, registered, and insured experienced professionals to handle all your pest control needs. From small isolated colonies or infestations that cover multiple rooms and floors, locate the problem area quickly! You do not have any more bed bug problems in your house.
Which extermination methods do they use?
Know what type of cost-effective extermination method they use. A company using chemical pesticides costs more than one that uses non-chemical ways. It has a cost advantage over the latter where it can reach up to 90% less.
Chemical pest control is still the most popular way of treating bed bugs in homes and buildings! But this depends on the cost of bed bug treatment.
Think about using cost-effective methods like heat chambers, cold air traps, and fumigation. It kills on contact without causing damage to your home or belongings.
Do they offer pet-friendly treatment options?
You need to hire cost-effective bed bug removal methods that do not harm your pet. Some methods can cause harm or irritation to pets like cats and dogs.
Chemical pesticides are the most common pet-friendly treatment option among pest control companies. They use this against bed bugs without having any harmful effects on both pets and you. But some are more expensive than the cost of bed bug treatment.
When you opt for cost-effective pest control methods like heat chambers, cold air traps, and fumigation; these are also safe for pets.
How to Avoid Future Bed Bug Infestations
You know what a cost-effective bed bug removal service can do to you. The cost of bed bug treatment varies from one company to the next. It depends on how much it costs for pest control methods and products they use against these pests.
Now that you have a guide on hiring a cost-effective pest control company, can you avoid future bed bug infestations at home?
For best pest control cost-effective methods, talk to a company that can give you an estimate of your budget. They will provide cost-effective ways without sacrificing quality for the cost of bed bug treatment. With their help, ensure that this cost is within your budget.
Enhancement and Improvement Cost
Learn more about two types of services that can affect this form of cost. Here they are:
Structural Bed Bug Fumigation
When you need cost-effective bed bug treatment services, they have more than one application. This may rise to $1,500 or more for a small house. Owning an apartment complex with five rooms means you can raise the cost of bed bug removal to $7,000! Do not worry because it is still within your budget.
This cost is for fumigation because it penetrates small crevices. It kills pests without affecting other parts of your house. This enhances the effectiveness of bed bug removal services.
Integrated Pest Management
Prevention is an essential cost. It will cost around $350 for a house with three rooms. But the cost of bed bug treatment can become lower or higher depending on the number of rooms in your home. This cost goes up to over $13,000 for a 100-unit building!
You can bring down costs by solving possible causes of bed bugs showing up at your house. This cost is for preventing further infestations.
When you want cost-effective pest control methods, talk to a company that offers these ways to get rid of pests without putting your budget in jeopardy.
Additional Considerations and Costs
Familiarize yourself with six further factors that can affect the cost of bed bug treatment. Below is a guide:
Leaving the home during the extermination process
The cost of bed bug treatment may become higher when you leave home during its process. This can reach up to $2,500 for a multi-unit building! It is an amount that can add up to the cost of bed bug treatment.
When dealing with an infestation, keep in mind that not all pests have equal treatment. Some will need fewer steps than others and may require only monitoring for their presence. Others might require more extensive treatments like insecticides or even fumigation as necessary depending on the type.
Your exterminator can detect any signs of trouble before you leave your house. They can notify you ahead of time!
Bed bug extermination warranty
After cost-effective treatment of your house, you can expect an extermination warranty on structures and contents. This warranty is for one or two years. It is a second cost that you need to consider aside from the cost of bed bug treatment.
Warranty cost also varies depending on pest control companies and the services they offer. When you choose cost-effective bed bug treatment cost, ensure that the cost of the warranty is within your budget.
Insurance
In case your house has a further infestation, cost-effective treatment means trouble. You have to pay for a separate cost of bed bug treatment. It starts from $1,500 for a five-room apartment and may reach over $9,000 for 100 units in an apartment complex or condominium!
You can find bed bugs under policy exclusions on renters or landlord insurance. This is because you can prevent them. But also consider them an expense for many people who have them. A landlord should routinely check for pests and put the proper control procedures in place as needed.
Treating rooms that do not show signs of a bed bug infestation
When you leave your house unoccupied for several months, cost-effective treatment does not cost much. It starts at $750 for an apartment with three rooms. But it can reach over $13,000 for 100 units in a building!
What about the cost of bed bug treatment without infestation? This means cost-effective treatment for common areas and parking lots. It can vary from $500 to over $15,000.
Home Construction
Home construction also affects the cost of bed bug treatment. This varies depending on the cost of materials used for your home.
It is not advisable to choose cost-effective fumigation because it penetrates material surfaces. This affects your home’s value when you want to resell it in the future.
Clutter
De-cluttering bed bug treatment costs can vary from $500 to $1,500. This covers moving and storing your belongings during pest control.
When you do not want to deal with moving your things, make sure to minimize or remove clutter for cost-effective extermination.
Your cost of bed bug treatment can change when you do not de-clutter. But you need to consider the cost of removing and storing your things correctly.
FAQs
How much does a mattress cover cost?
Mattress covers cost from $10 to over $100 depending on the material used. Those with a zipper are more expensive because they have additional features. Mattresses cost from $200 to over $1,500 depending on the quality. This is one reason why the cost of bed bug treatment often increases when you choose fumigation. It penetrates material surfaces in your home that can affect its value in the future.
What do bed bugs look like?
A bed bug is small, flat, and oval. It is reddish-brown without feeding on blood. Otherwise, it turns into a yellow to brown color.
Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices during the day or when a thing or person disturbs them.
Can I get rid of bed bugs on my own?
No, you should not try to get rid of bed bugs on your own. While treatment cost varies from $500 to over $1,000 when experts do it, the cost increases from $2,000 to over $9,000 when DIY treatment fails.