What Does It Cost to Treat the Most Common Pest Problems?
Different pests require different treatments and very different budgets. Here is the specific cost guidance for the pests homeowners most commonly face.
Ants: $150 to $300
General ant control with baiting and perimeter spray typically costs $150 to $300 for a one-time treatment. Carpenter ants which damage wood structures require more intensive inspection and treatment at $300 to $600 because the treatment must address nesting sites, not just foraging trails. Gel baiting is the preferred approach for interior ant control (colonies take the bait back to the queen); exterior perimeter spray breaks the trail and entry points.
Cockroaches: $200 to $600
German cockroaches (the most common indoor species) are highly resilient and typically require multiple treatments. A one-time treatment for a moderate infestation costs $200 to $400; severe or multi-room infestations cost $400 to $600. Gel bait is the most effective method cockroaches consume and spread the bait through the population. Thorough treatment requires addressing every harboring area (behind appliances, under sinks, inside wall voids accessed through outlets) for complete control.
Termites: $1,000 to $3,200
Termite treatment is the highest-stakes pest investment because undetected termites cause structural damage. Liquid barrier treatment (Termidor or similar termiticide applied to the soil around the foundation) costs $1,000 to $3,200 for a standard home with a 200-foot foundation perimeter, at $3 to $16 per linear foot. Bait station systems (monitoring stations with bait added when termites are detected) cost $1,500 to $3,000 installed plus $300 to $500 a year in monitoring fees. Both methods are effective; liquid treatment provides faster knockdown and is more commonly used for active infestations. The EPA recommends integrated pest management — removing food, water and entry points before reaching for pesticides.
Bed Bugs: $500 to $5,000
Bed bug treatment is the most intensive residential pest treatment. Chemical treatment requires 2 to 3 visits 2 weeks apart and costs $500 to $1,500. Heat treatment raising room temperature to 120 to 130 degrees F for 4 to 8 hours kills all life stages in a single treatment at $1,500 to $5,000 for a standard home, roughly $1,500 for a studio and $3,000 for a two-bedroom. Heat is more thorough but more expensive; chemical requires more visits but costs less upfront.
Rodents (Mice and Rats): $200 to $1,200
Rodent control involves trapping, removing, sanitizing, and excluding entry points. A comprehensive rodent control program (inspection, trapping, removal, and exclusion) costs $200 to $600 for mice in a standard home, and $600 to $1,200 for rats or a severe infestation. Without exclusion sealing the entry points that allowed rodent entry the problem reinfestation after trapping is high.
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project. (For more on this, see Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Exterminator.)
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.
Making a Confident Decision
The information in this article is designed to help you ask better questions of the professionals you work with, evaluate their answers with more confidence, and understand the decisions involved in this type of home services project. It is not a substitute for professional assessment of your specific home.
Every home is different. Roof slopes, local weather, tree exposure, soil conditions, and existing system condition all affect what the right solution is for your specific situation. The general principles here apply broadly, but a professional who assesses your home in person will give you guidance that accounts for the details that general articles cannot.
When you are ready to move forward, getting at least two or three quotes from licensed, insured, local contractors is the most important practical step. It lets you compare approaches, assess contractor quality, and confirm that the solution proposed matches your specific situation and budget.
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on August 29, 2026. How we source cost data.