How Much Does a Bed Bug Exterminator Cost? Prices For Bed Bug Treatment

Have you ever wondered, how much does a bed bug exterminator cost?

If you’ve recently realized that you have bed bugs in your home or business, understanding the cost of bedbug treatments can help you assess how much you’ll have to pay to get rid of bed bugs.

Since bed bugs hide in the most unlikely places, and make it even harder to find and kill them because of how fast they are able to spread, professional treatment may be the only way to ensure that you get them out for good.

With so many exterminators out there, finding one may prove to be an uphill task, which is why this guide explains the answer to how much does a bed bug exterminator cost and outlines the factors that influence the pricing.

When To Call an Exterminator for Bed Bugs: Signs of a Bedbug Infestation

Bed bugs are some of the most incessant bugs that invade homes. By looking at tiny house bugs pictures and names, you will notice their flat bodies and how evasive they can be.

Killing them is definitely a chore you want to pass, explaining why you are here, looking for effective ways of how to get rid of bed bugs. These tiny pests can be anywhere, and they hitch-hike all the time, starting new colonies wherever they go.

Calling them survivors is an understatement because these bugs can live for as much as a year, even without food, and create a home out of nothing. In no time, everyone in the house will have itchy bite marks, and by then, it may be too late to deal with the infestation all on your own.

Therefore, you should be aware of bed bugs’ telltale signs and know how to tell when you need to call in expert exterminators.

If you think that bed bugs have succeeded in invading your home, these are the indiators to look out for.

1. There could be a foul, musty odor that is unusual
2. Check for blood stains and marks on your sheets and seats
3. Any dark colorations on your bedding or mattress could mean that bugs are hiding in those spots
4. You may actually spot a bed bug or a couple of them. How to tell?
   They measure ¼ of an inch long and have dark brown or reddish flat bodies that are oval in shape.¹
5. You will also know that it is probably time to call an exterminator when you notice tiny red bite marks on your body. They are usually burning and itchy.

How Much Is Pest Control? Factors Determining How Much Does a Bed Bug Exterminator Cost

Exterminator prices are never the same for everyone. However, in most cases, homeowners spend anything between $300-$5,000, while the national average for pest control stands at around $1,750.

When looking up how much does a bed bug exterminator cost, you will immediately notice that there are several factors that come into play when deciding how much you will spend on the service.

The Severity of the Infestation

Of course, it goes without saying that the more severe your infestation is, the more money you will end up paying for the service.

Imagine a case so bad that you are able to see the notorious bugs crawling around the household; this means that the Pest Management Professionals will have a lot on their plate and,⁶ for that, will charge you more.

On a typical day, you could pay anything between $1,000-$2,500, but for those with more extensive cases, the bill goes as high as a shocking $6,000.

Bed Bug Treatment

Bed bug extermination is not a one-size-fits-all;⁷ each client gets a particular treatment based on how dire the situation is and maybe their budget.

(Image: CDC/ Donated by the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland¹³)

So, you could pay more or less depending on the method used.

1. Chemical Method

This treatment makes more sense when the bed bugs are in places that are easy to reach. Here, the exterminators will apply various chemical agents throughout the home in the affected areas.

There are different kinds of treatments, first to kill the bugs present and later to apply dust in cracks and other previously affected areas to prevent future attacks.

2. Fumigation

The experts will advocate for this method if you are dealing with an extensive infestation. Most of the other treatment methods may fail, but not fumigation, which is more intense, covers the entire house with the gas, treating all the spots, including the floors and walls.

3. Heat/Thermal Treatment

If you want to avoid methods like fumigation and the use of chemicals because they are not safe for children and people with allergies, you can always go for the heating method. They increase the temperature in the home to around 118-122 degrees, killing all the bugs.²

Not only is it safer in matters of the least exposure to toxins, but it is actually cheaper. There is one problem, though, the fact that it is not really a long-term solution and that exterminators will have to follow up with other methods to prevent future infestations.

4. Steam Method

This kind of works almost the same as the heat method, but the difference is that this uses steam to kill the bed bugs. Moreover, using steam ensures that there is better penetration between tiny spaces inside furniture and fabrics.

While it is a little more on the cheaper side, it is not a foolproof extermination method, just like heat, and will need follow-up. Luckily, at least you will be certain that your furniture and other property will not get damaged in the process.

5. Freezing method

Of course, this is the exact opposite of heat and steam. Now, instead of using heat, experts will use extremely cold temperatures to kill the bed bugs.

Here, they use carbon dioxide to freeze off the bugs. This one works in cases where heat will cause damage, but the downside is that it is oftentimes more expensive than thermal methods.

Size of the Home

Bed bugs are infamous for hiding in the wildest of places, including inside electric outlets and wall cracks. So, the size of the room that is infested will also come into play in determining how much does a bed bug exterminator cost.

Obviously, the larger the space, the more you will pay for bed bug abatement.⁸

Normally, a single room could cost you $200-$400 or $4-$7.50 for each square foot. In the same light, they could charge only around $300 for a small studio while you could pay as much as $800-$1,200 for a 2-3 bedroom house.

It makes sense because there will be more labor and more products used.

The Number of Treatments

Again, if you are suffering from a severe infestation, it will cost you much more because the exterminators could conduct follow-up visits. Just one treatment may not be enough to get rid of all the bugs once and for all.

You will actually agree on the number of visits with the exterminator, either twice a month, once a month, or even quarterly, and the more visits, the more you will pay.

Location

Did you know that where you live could also determine how much does a bed bug exterminator cost? Unfortunately, those living in the big cities will have to dig deeper into their pockets for the service.

It is understandable, considering that they have a generally higher rate of infestation, and bed bugs here spread faster in individual and neighboring apartments.

There are some cities that are actually known for their extremely high exterminator rates, sometimes, as much as thrice the normal amount.

Take, for instance, cities like Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and San Diego; you will end up paying more for exterminator services than others in other regions.⁵

How Much Does a Bed Bug Exterminator Cost? Additional Bed Bug Treatment Costs to Consider

In most cases, what determines how much does a bed bug exterminator cost depends on the severity of the case and the size of the infestation in question.

(Image: Ron Lach ¹²)

However, apart from that, there are also other factors that will determine the total amount that you will pay for pest management.

1. Furniture: There are many companies that will charge you an extra amount for each piece of furniture that is in a room. It could be a bed or a sofa that needs special attention, and that will go a long way to deal with the infestation.
2. Inspection: Many homeowners actually forget that the exterminator has to first come and conduct an inspection. This brings to light so many things that you may not have noticed before and discloses the extent of the damage.
   These services could set you back an extra $65-$200.
3. Dealing with clutter: Bed bugs have mastered the art of hiding in between stuff and imagine what happens when a cluttered room has been infested. It means that the exterminator will have to sort through all the things before and during treatment.
   The more the labor hours, the more you will pay. You may be charged an extra $50-$100 for each hour in such cases.
4. Emergency cases: Imagine detecting a widespread infestation that requires urgent attention, the exterminators will treat that as an emergency, and you may pay another extra $200-$500 to call them in immediately. However, you can opt to vacate and wait for them for a few days, saving you some money.

Bed Bugs Exterminator Cost: Is It Worth It Over DIY?

Truth be told, there are certain instances where you will have to pay a lot of money to bring in pest management professionals to help with your bed bug problem. Say you have so many rooms and have a more extensive infestation.

It may be tempting to DIY the whole process to slash some costs,⁹ but as you are about to see, that may not be the best idea.

DIY Bed Bug Extermination

If you notice a single or a few bed bugs in your space and are sure that it will be cheaper to get rid of them on your own, you can go ahead. It helps if you detect them earlier on before they start breeding.

DIY will work in this case, and you could end up spending around $100 to buy the treatment kits, meaning no labor charges for you.

But there is a problem: DIY is not ideal when dealing with massive infestations, where the bugs are hiding all over the home.³ You may not have the skills and equipment to handle them and you would rather leave it to the professionals.

You will be paying for the quality of the service and actually save yourself the effort and a lot of money in the long run.

Hiring an Exterminator

An exterminator brings a lot to the table: the skills and the tools required. After inspecting, the professional will be able to pick the perfect treatment method, one that will be the most effective.

You can sit back and relax, knowing that the job will be in great hands. They are also able to offer post-treatment solutions to help you avoid any other attacks in the future.

If this is your first time hiring an exterminator, here are some considerations to make before contracting them.

• Does the company have a license and is it insured? Meeting these requirements means that you are dealing with professionals who know exactly what they are doing.
  Having insurance also guarantees that at least you are safe in case of accidents.
• Which treatment method do they recommend? A good exterminator should be able to assess the extent of the damage and consider several other factors before deciding on the perfect treatment method.
  It should not only be effective in wiping out the bugs but also safe for you and your loved ones.
• What is the timeline involved? An excellent company will give you a time frame for how long the entire process is going to take and when it will be safe for you to move back into the house in case harmful products are used.
• How do they want you to prepare for the treatment? This is a very important question because you need to know whether you are supposed to leave the house for a while and whether you have to move some furniture first.

Avoiding Future Bed Bug Infestation

The best thing to do is to know how to prevent bed bug infestations. Treatment methods do work, but you would rather be safe than sorry.

(Image: Antoni Shkraba¹¹)

Here is how to make sure that you never have to deal with the infuriating bugs in the first place:

1. Never bring home second-hand furniture before checking or treating them for bed bugs. You never know where they have been or why the previous owner sold them.
2. Try as much as possible to avoid storing items underneath your bed because they become perfect hideouts for bed bugs.
3. Having a protective cloth cover over your mattress makes sure that the bugs don’t hide in the corners and folded parts.
4. Declutter as often as possible because the bugs will have a field day when they have so many items to hide inside.¹⁰
5. You should also avoid leaving your clothes on the bed, especially those you have just taken off after coming back home. You never know whether a bed bug has been hitchhiking on your clothes.
6. Make sure that you wash your sheets in very hot water. The bugs and their eggs will instantly die under temperatures above 120 degrees.
7. Be very intentional with cleaning up your house. Vacuuming frequently helps get rid of bugs hiding on the floors, and not leaving things around denies them a hideout.
8. You may also want to maintain washing your clothes and other items that you have brought back home after a trip.⁴

Bed bugs are the most feared pests in US homes. People will pay and do anything to ensure they never have to deal with them.

Bed bugs reproduce fast, take over the home, and have the most painful bites that leave irritating and itchy rashes and marks all over the body, making them pretty annoying.

Preventive methods work wonders, but in case they do find their way into your home, you will have to consult experts, especially if there is a large population already. DIY methods will work but only for minor infestations, so you may still have to ask around for the prices of exterminators in your region.

Answering the question, how much does a bed bug exterminator cost, varies greatly depending on the severity of the attack, the chosen method of treatment, the size and number of the rooms, and several more factors.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Does a Bed Bug Exterminator Cost