How much does a flea exterminator cost?
How much does a flea exterminator cost?
$200 – $400 cost for a one-time visit
$300 – $600 cost for an annual plan
Average flea exterminator cost
A flea exterminator costs $200 to $400 for a one-time visit with an inspection and treatment. Professional flea extermination costs $300 to $600 per year for an annual contract. Flea pest control includes flea bombs, foggers, chemical sprays, tented fumigation, and heat treatments, depending on the infestation severity.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| One-time visit | $200 – $400 per visit |
| Monthly plan | $50 – $100 per month |
| Quarterly plan | $75 – $150 per quarter |
| Annual plan | $300 – $600 per year |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
A one-time visit includes inspection and treatment. Follow-up inspections and additional treatments cost $75 to $200 more.
Regular monthly and quarterly plans include routine inspections every 1 to 3 months with treatment included. These programs typically include an initial service fee of $125 to $250.
Annual plans include a yearly inspection and flea treatment.
Flea extermination cost factors
The cost of flea extermination depends on the size of your home, the severity of the infestation, the location of the bugs, and the treatment method used.
Treatment method
Exterminators use a few different methods to get rid of fleas, each with their own treatment costs. Common flea control methods include high-power vacuums, chemical sprays, flea bombs, fumigation, and heat treatments.
| Treatment type | Average cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum treatment | $80 – $150 | High-powered vacuums remove adult fleas, larvae, and eggs from carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. |
| Flea bomb | $100 – $200 | A total-release fogger contains a pesticide-induced fog that sprays a cloud of insecticide into a single room, killing fleas in hard-to-reach areas. |
| Chemical spray | $150 – $350 | Insecticide sprays target adult fleas and may contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) which prevent eggs and larvae from developing. |
| Fogger fumigation | $175 – $350 | Multiple rooms are treated with foggers, killing fleas at every stage of life. |
| Heat treatment | $300 – $500 per room | Special heaters are used to raise the room temperature to between 120° and 140° F which kills the fleas, larvae, and eggs. |
| Tented fumigation costs | $1,500 – $4,000 | The entire home is tented and fumigated with pesticides over several days to kill pests. |
Location
The overall cost of flea control also depends on whether the fleas are in your yard or inside your home. Exterior treatments are easier and cheaper than indoor flea control, but large outdoor spaces and wooded areas cost more to treat than a small backyard.
| Location | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Small yard | $75 – $80 |
| Large outdoor space | $100 – $125 |
| Bedroom | $100 – $250 |
| Kitchen | $150 – $300 |
| Whole house | $300 – $400 |
Infestation level
Flea control costs vary depending on the severity of the infestation. Mild infestations of a few fleas are cheaper and easier to treat with DIY products, but moderate and severe infestations require professional pest control treatments.
| Severity | Average cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mild infestation | $50 – $200 | A few visible fleas on your pet or home are often treated with over-the-counter flea treatment products. |
| Moderate infestation | $200 – $400 | More visible fleas and flea dirt are seen around the home and people and pets may feel itchy from flea bites. These infestations require professional spraying or fogging. |
| Severe infestation | $400 – $800+ | A large number of fleas on your pets and around the home, with fleas biting frequently. These infestations require professional treatments including costly heat or fumigation. |
DIY flea removal vs. exterminator costs
While DIY flea removal saves you money, getting rid of fleas on your own is not always possible and can be dangerous if the chemicals are not used properly. Fleas reproduce and spread quickly, so you may make problems worse if you don't seek professional help early on.
| Treatment | Average price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flea foggers | $10 – $30 per unit | Kills fleas in a single room but you must leave the space until the air clears |
| Over-the-counter sprays | $10 – $15 per bottle | Used for preventative measures or as a spot treatment in small areas like a pet bed |
| Flea combs | $5 – $10 per comb | Used for removing fleas and larvae from animal fur before they spread to your home |
In addition to those over-the-counter treatments, there are a few natural remedies using common pantry items that can control fleas, including:
Borax powder and dish soap that contains borax will kill fleas on contact. Just mix a cup of Borax powder and a few drops of dish soap with a gallon of water.
Baking soda sprinkled on your carpet and furniture and then left to sit for 30 minutes can reduce the number of fleas in your home. Follow this with good vacuuming.
Salt can be effective at killing fleas in small numbers but will take days to work. Use pure, fine-grained salt and vacuum regularly between treatments.
Lemon spray is a mixture of the juice of one lemon with 2 cups of water sprayed on your pet's fur. The acid in the lemon juice will kill the fleas and the citrus scent helps repel them.
Rosemary serves as a flea repellent, lowering flea numbers but not eradicating them. Simply place a few leaves of rosemary in water, let them steep for several hours, then strain the water and spray it on pet beds and carpets where fleas are found.
Flea infestation signs
There are a few signs that indicate you have a flea infestation in your home, including:
Visible fleas – Seeing fleas crawling on your pet or furniture is a sure sign you have an infestation.
Flea dirt – Even if you don't see fleas, you may see small, black specs of flea feces on your pet, pet bed, or sheets.
Bites – Flea bites will cause itching and irritation for you and your pet. If your pet is scratching excessively or you have clusters of bites on your legs, ankles, or feet, seek professional flea control.
Flea eggs and larvae – Look for flea eggs in dark, warm places like the folds of a pet bed.
Flea infestation dangers
Fleas are dangerous for both humans and pets, carrying diseases like plague, typhus, and cat scratch fever which can be serious or even fatal. People who are allergic to flea bites may have severe reactions leading to anaphylactic shock. Pets can become anemic if fleas suck too much blood from their host.
Exterminators not only treat fleas, but other insects as well. Pest control services cost $40 to $75 per monthly visit or $250 to $600 on average for a one-time visit to treat for other annoying or damaging pests in your home and yard.
Flea exterminator FAQs
How much is an exterminator for fleas?
A flea exterminator cost $75 to $400 for professional flea service including an inspection, high-powered vacuuming, and interior and exterior pest control applications. Most infestations require more than an initial treatment, with follow-up treatments costing an additional $75 to $200 per visit.
Can pest control get rid of fleas?
Yes, pest control can get rid of fleas safely and effectively. Exterminators use their knowledge and experience to eliminate fleas in every life stage, including eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults.
When should I call an exterminator for fleas?
Call an exterminator at the first signs of a flea infestation. Fleas reproduce and spread quickly, so any delay will result in a more severe infestation and higher treatment costs.
Here are a few signs that you should call an exterminator for fleas:
Fleas crawling on your pets or around your home
Small black specs of "flea dirt" on your pet or bedding
Pets or people getting bitten by fleas
Pets scratching excessively
Flea larvae or pupae in your home
Do fleas bite humans?
Yes, fleas can bite humans but are most commonly found on dogs, cats, and other pets. Fleas are wingless parasites that feed on the blood of mammals. They leave behind small, red itchy bites in a cluster of two or three. People tend to be bitten around the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
Flea bites can be irritating, but they are not usually serious unless you have an allergic reaction, which causes more severe symptoms, such as swelling, redness, and blisters.
How do exterminators get rid of fleas?
Exterminators use several methods to get rid of fleas, including:
Vacuuming
Spraying
Fogging
Fumigation
Heat treatment
How long will I see fleas after extermination?
After flea extermination treatment, it is common to see fleas for 1 to 2 weeks. During this time, you should vacuum your carpets daily, disposing of the vacuum bag in an outside trash can. Also, wash your pet's bedding regularly.
How long does it take to get rid of fleas?
Getting rid of fleas takes 2 to 4 weeks using over-the-counter treatments for a mild infestation. For moderate or severe flea infestations, professional pest control can take more than a week for total control.
How can I prevent fleas?
Follow these tips to keep fleas from taking over your home:
Keep your lawn mowed and free of branches, leaves, and debris.
Avoid walking your pet through wooded areas.
Ask your vet about preventative flea treatments.
Vacuum floors and clean pet beds and kennels regularly.
Getting estimates from flea exterminators
Choose a flea exterminator near you with a reputation for success in treating flea infestations using the following recommendations:
Hire licensed, bonded, and insured exterminators with years of success treating fleas.
Pick from highly rated and reviewed pest control companies on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask if the company offers free flea pest control inspections.
Choose from companies that include a guarantee of their work.
Compare treatment methods and costs from several exterminators.
Ask for everything in writing, including initial and follow-up treatment costs.
Questions to ask
When discussing flea extermination with a pest control expert, be sure to ask these questions:
What is your success rate with treating flea infestations?
What treatment methods do you recommend?
How often do you re-inspect my home after the initial flea control treatment?
What inspections and follow-up treatments are included in your quote?
Will my home require more than one flea treatment?
Do you offer ongoing pest control service plans?
Do you recommend monthly, quarterly, or annual pest control plans for flea prevention?
We use our proprietary database of project costs, personally contact industry experts to compile up-to-date pricing and insights, and conduct in-depth research to ensure accuracy in all our guides.