How much does pest control cost in 2022?

Average pest control cost

Pest control can sometimes be purchased as an a la carte service, such as bedbug or wildlife solutions. However, many homeowners opt for an ongoing plan to prevent future issues while dealing with current pests. For preventive services, it's best to sign up for a yearly plan, which is typically paid monthly or quarterly.

Based on our secret shopping, we found that the national average for general pest control plans is $51 per month, or $152 for each quarterly pest control visit if that's how you prefer to pay. Adding specialized treatments for bedbugs, wildlife control or termites will increase that number. A one-time visit can range from $150 for ants or fleas to $8,000 for fumigation services.

Most pest control companies make quarterly visits to your home. Note that your initial visit and treatment are typically a bit more expensive than ongoing visits. This initial treatment can range from $99 to $350, depending on your selected provider and services.

Cost of DIY pest control

The cost of do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control varies greatly depending on the pest in question. Expenses you will likely face are purchasing traps, which can range from $6 for ant baits to $58 for a large wildlife trap, and any cleaning products you use to deter invasions from ants, cockroaches, fruit flies or other bugs. 

Our in-depth research into trap prices, cleaning supply costs and potential damage from pests found that the cost of DIY pest control varies based on several factors. These variables include the size of your home, whether the pests are inside or outside, the number of entry points, the type of pest, the number of treatments and the level of infestation. Due to the many factors, the average cost of DIY pest control can fall anywhere from $50 for a small ant problem to $250 for a minor mouse infestation.

However, there is a hidden cost to DIY pest control. Homeowners risk a full-fledged pest infestation if their home methods don't go according to plan. Since many pest control services are priced by the severity of the problem, it's possible to end up paying more in the long run for pest control if you try to first do it yourself. 

If your pest problem continues to grow while you wait to call in professional help, your plan to save money can backfire. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners who had recently dealt with a pest problem, 62% first attempted DIY methods. Of those, one-third said their home treatments didn't resolve the problem, and half of the unsuccessful DIYers went on to hire a professional. 

Additionally, if you already have a large infestation, it's almost impossible to treat it yourself. Below, we outline what pest problems you should never tackle on your own.

When to use professional pest control services

Though you may be tempted to try DIY first, these are the common household pests best left to the professionals for treatment:

Wildlife: In many cases, wildlife is protected by law against poisoning and habitat destruction. Additionally, critters like raccoons, possums and squirrels can carry diseases and become aggressive if threatened. It's best to leave wildlife pest control to trained professionals. 
Carpenter ant treatment: These tiny creatures bite, but worse yet, they can destroy the wood in your furniture and damage your home structure. If you note winged ants and sawdust around the home, you may have carpenter ants. Reach out to a professional right away to avoid serious damage to your house. 
Termite control: Termite treatment is a pest control service best left to the experts. Severe infestations may require fumigation, a method that fills the infested area with pesticide gas and requires homeowners to evacuate the premises. If termites have invaded your home, you may notice hollow spots in wood, tiny white wings around the house, unexplained wood damage or small swarms of them that are often mistaken for ants.
Bedbug treatment: Bedbugs can infiltrate more than just beds, making their home in furniture, upholstery, electrical appliances and more. Call in a pro to kill bedbugs and avoid throwing out most of your home. Signs of bedbugs include small, pale yellow eggs and eggshells, rust-colored stains in the bed, bites and tiny droppings.
Cockroach control: Roaches are not only unsightly, but they're also extremely difficult to exterminate. These dangerous pests are primarily active at night, hiding in cracks of walls, piles of clutter, cupboards, drains and electrical devices during the day. The World Health Organization states that you can typically spot them by their small, dark droppings around the house, particularly near food sources.
Rodent treatments: While most rodent problems are simple to solve with a few traps, larger-scale infestations will almost certainly require a professional. If your home has a nest of rats or mice, it's time for expert help. You can spot a rodent infestation through signs such as small brown droppings in the back of cabinets and drawers, holes in the walls or floors, bite marks or holes in food containers and chewed wires. You may also hear scratching noises in the walls, attic or ceilings.

If you're facing one of these nuisances, it's best to schedule a professional pest control treatment quickly. The providers listed in this review even offer same-day service for serious pest issues.

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