How Much Does A Bed Bug Exterminator Cost?

Number of Rooms Affected

NUMBER OF ROOMS	COST
1	$300 - $500
2	$800 - $950
3	$1,100 - $1,350
4	$1,600 - $1,800
Entire house	$3,800 - $8,000

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Treatment Type

Bed bug elimination treatment methods influence the total cost. The only whole-house method, fumigation, will cost as much as $8,000 per 1,000 square feet, or more specifically between $4 and $8 per square foot. Spot treatments with heat, steam or freezing can cost as little as $1,000 to $3,000 for the same amount of space, or between $1 and $3 per square foot.

Inspection Rates

Bed bug inspection costs range from free to around $100 to $225 per visit. Free inspections may be incomplete since they are offered to attract new business. Paid inspections will be more thorough and will allow the exterminator to start treatments immediately.

Number of Visits

As long as new bed bugs are not introduced after extermination, the home should be free of bed bugs after an average of two visits. But for any home prone to bed bugs, regular visits are required to address problem areas. The more frequent the visits included in the contract, the less each visit will cost.

Some pest control companies will offer this service by sealing openings in your home’s exterior and around windows and doors. This add-on service will increase your overall bed bug removal cost.

NUMBER OF VISITS PER YEAR	COST PER YEAR
4	$460 - $635
12	$420 - $630
24	$235 - $365

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Your exterminator will recommend the best bed bug treatment based on the size of the infestation and the extent of the area that requires cleaning. Deep cleaning rugs, for example, may require steam cleaning while spraying pesticides is ideal for targeting a specific part of a room. Each of the prices below reflects the cost for 1,000 square feet.

Fumigation

Fumigating the home to eliminate bed bugs is expensive—from $4,000 to $8,000—but it’s also one of the more effective methods for large infestations. Factor in the cost of staying outside your home for at least one to three days.

Chemicals and Pesticides

Spot-killing bed bugs with pesticides and chemicals is highly effective and generally costs from $2,000 to $4,500. This is the most common option for new, smaller infestations. In some cases, exterminators may not end up using chemicals around pets.

Heat

Bed bugs can be killed when subjected to high heat at 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) for a cost of $1,000 to $3,000 per 1,000 square feet.

Steam

Bed bugs can be spot-killed with a portable steamer and a steam wand, with overall costs ranging from $2,000 to $7,500. This option is ideal for delicate factors or for homeowners looking to address the issue without chemicals whenever possible.

Freezing

Bed bugs can be killed by subjecting them to intense cold at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees  Celsius) for several hours for a cost ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per 1,000 square feet.

METHOD	COST PER 1,000 SQUARE FEET
Fumigation	$4,000 - $8,000
Chemicals and pesticides	$2,000 - $4,500
Heat	$1,000 - $3,000
Steam	$2,000 - $7,500
Freezing	$3,000 - $6,000

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A home with bed bugs could be a sign that other creatures have snuck inside as well. If your exterminator notices additional pests during their inspection, this could sway the final price. Here are the average exterminator costs for the most common home pests.

EXTRA SERVICES ALONGSIDE BED BUG EXTERMINATION
Squirrels	$850
Rodents	$350
Ants	$150
Termites	$600
Mosquitoes	$225
Wood-boring beetles	$3,250
Cockroaches	$350
Fleas	$300

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It is highly recommended to go with professional services when possible, but do-it-yourself bed bug extermination is inexpensive. If the bed bugs are isolated in a bed or couch, it will cost very little to thoroughly wash or vacuum the area. Small items that are infected with bed bugs can be frozen in a home freezer for days or treated with high heat.

A bed bug pesticide kit that includes a gallon of pesticide, an aerosol pesticide and bed bug traps will typically cost from $40 to $60.

DIY bed bug extermination costs eight to nine times less than professional extermination. However, the cost savings should always be measured against the efficacy of DIY treatments. For large infestations, it will almost always prove to be less expensive to hire a professional exterminator to eliminate bed bugs. We highly recommend you seek professional services for bed bugs versus relying on DIY methods.

It is far easier to prevent bed bug infestations than to get rid of bed bugs once they have established residency in your home. Here’s how to stop an infestation before it starts.

1. Vacuum frequently, particularly in rooms with carpeting or area rugs.
2. Throw away unneeded clutter where bed bugs like to hide and dust regularly.
3. Wash clothing and bedding in your own laundry appliances, if possible.
4. If using shared laundry appliances, move clothes directly from the dryer into sterile plastic bags, avoiding folding tables or baskets.
5. Install door sweeps on the bottoms of doors.
6. Weather seal electrical outlets.
7. Frequently wash all bedding materials, including covers and duvets.
8. Take extra care when traveling and only stay in hotels or hostels with high cleanliness reviews.
9. Immediately wash your clothing on a hot water cycle after returning from travel.
10. Regularly check the seams of your mattress after you suspect a bed bug infestation.

The CDC notes that while bed bugs do not spread disease, their bites can cause extreme itching that may even lead to infection. Some people are also very allergic to bed bug bites, which can lead to large welts, hives and rashes.

The EPA lists bed bugs as a serious public health issue for a range of reasons. In addition to bites and possible infection, the threat of bed bugs can affect mental health as well. Due to their ability to vastly spread, bed bugs can make a home uninhabitable, affecting sleep, work and well-being.

Knowing the early signs of bed bugs is your top defense against an expensive infestation. Bed bug infestations can grow very quickly, traveling throughout your home in just weeks. Some of the earliest signs of a problem include the following red flags.

• Red, itchy bites that are typically grouped together in a line, cluster or zig-zag pattern.
• Translucent or dark brown shredded carcasses, particularly around beds and furniture.
• Musty smells in areas where they are prevalent.
• Small black or red blood marks on your sheets and mattress.
• Black spots in the seams of your mattress or other upholstering such as your couches.
• Physical sightings of bed bugs on clothing, mattresses or in rugs.
• Small piles of tiny white eggs clustered in the seams of upholstery or mattresses.

Call a bed bug exterminator the moment you spot one of the signs listed above or if you recently visited somewhere with a confirmed infestation. The exterminator will advise you on whether a bed bug inspection is necessary at this time or schedule an exploratory visit. Keep in mind that emergency bed bug treatment can double the initial visit’s price up to $500.

Hiring a trusted exterminator doesn’t have to be a lengthy process, particularly if you’re in a hurry. Begin by pursuing highly vetted pest control companies that make top exterminator lists. You can also ask your friends and neighbors for a professional they worked with recently.

In either case, the company should be accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), feature positive reviews in your area and have a reputation in the industry for top service. Some additional perks when looking for a bed bug exterminator include:

• Offering a money-back guarantee if their services are not successful
• Deals for recurring visits or annual contracts
• Free consultations and estimates
• Pet and child-safe products
• Preventative pest control methods as well as treatments