How much does a bed bug exterminator cost?
How much does a bed bug exterminator cost?
$300 – $500 cost to treat one room
$2,500 – $5,000 average cost for the whole home
Cost of bed bug extermination
Bed bug extermination costs $300 to $500 to treat a single room or $2,500 to $5,000 to treat the whole home. The cost to exterminate bed bugs depends on the infestation level and treatment method. Bed bug exterminators use chemicals, heat, steam, fumigation, and freezing treatments to get rid of the stubborn pests.
| Number of rooms | Average cost |
|---|---|
| One room | $300 – $500 |
| Two rooms | $750 – $900* |
| Three rooms | $1,100 – $1,300* |
| Four rooms | $1,500 – $1,700* |
| Whole-home treatment | $2,500 – $5,000+ |
*Including hallways or connecting areas.
Bed bugs are brownish-red bugs that feed on human blood and tend to live near their food source in a mattress or headboard but eventually move into the carpet, furniture, and walls.
Bed bugs travel easily and sneak into your home on your luggage, clothing, or shoes after staying in a bug-infested hotel, cruise ship, hospital, or even visiting an infested movie theater.
Bed bug treatment costs
Bed bug treatment is one of the more expensive pest control services, with costs ranging from $1 to $8 per square foot per treatment, depending on the method. Bed bug extermination often involves repeat treatments because missing a single pregnant bug can quickly lead to re-infestation.
| Method | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Chemical pesticides | $2 – $5 |
| Heat treatment | $1 – $3 |
| Steam | $2 – $7 |
| Freezing | $3 – $6 |
| Fumigation | $4 – $8 |
| Sniffing dogs | $300 – $600 per inspection* |
*Inspection only; treatment costs extra.
Chemicals and pesticides
Traditional insecticide treatments for bed bug extermination cost $2 to $5 per square foot of treatment area and may include liquid, aerosol, and gaseous pesticides to reach the areas where the bugs hide. Since bed bug eggs hatch 6 to 9 days after they are laid, repeat treatments may be necessary.
Heat treatment
Bed bug heat treatment costs $1 to $3 per square foot and is the quickest way to kill bed bugs. The chemical-free process uses hot air to raise the room temperature to over 120 degrees to kill the bugs. Heat treatment companies destroy bugs at every life stage but does not prevent re-infestation.
Steaming
Steam treatments cost $2 to $7 per square foot and, like heat treatments, use high temperatures to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Steam penetrates deep into fabrics and furniture without damaging the wood or upholstery. Steam often requires multiple treatments to completely eradicate bed bugs.
Freezing
Freezing is another chemical-free method of bug treatment and costs $3 to $6 per square foot. Freeze treatments convert liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) to dry-ice particles that are sprayed in the infested area, killing bed bugs and eggs. Freezing is safe for surfaces that cannot tolerate high heat.
Fumigation
Fumigation costs $4 to $8 per square foot to seal off your home with a tent and fill it with gas pesticides to kill the bed bugs. This chemical method requires you to leave your home for several days while the gas permeates the entire home, including inside walls and under floors.
Sniffing dog detection
A sniffing dog inspection costs $300 to $600 and is among the most effective ways to diagnose a bed bug infestation. The highly trained dogs can detect the scent of bed bugs hidden throughout the home, helping you determine which areas to treat to avoid re-infestations.
Bed bug treatment cost by frequency
Most homes need to be treated for bed bugs two or three times, with a period of one to two weeks between each treatment to ensure the bugs and their egg are killed. Once the initial treatments are completed, many companies recommend ongoing monitoring and treatments to ensure the home stays bed-bug free.
| Treatment frequency | Average cost |
|---|---|
| One-time visit | $300 – $1,200 |
| Yearly | $750 – $950 per year |
| Quarterly | $1,800 – $2,500 per year |
| Monthly | $5,000 – $8,000 per year |
| Semi-monthly | $5,500 – $8,500 per year |
Bed bug exterminator cost factors
The main cost factor for extermination treatment is the number of rooms with bed bugs. Small infestations caught early in a single room cost $300 to $500 to treat while treating a severe infestation costs up to $5,000 when the bugs have invaded the entire home.
Some pest control companies offer bed bug treatment plans:
Orkin bed bug extermination costs $300 – $5,000, depending on how severe the infestation is.
Terminix bed bug extermination costs $500 to $1,500 depending on the affected area and how advanced the infestation is.
| Infestation level | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Mild infestation (1 room) | $300 – $500 |
| Moderate infestation (2-3 rooms) | $700 – $1,300* |
| Severe infestation (4 rooms – entire home) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
*Including hallways or connecting areas.
Other factors that affect extermination costs include:
Treatment method – Heat treatment is a cheaper extermination method since there are no costly chemicals involved. Fumigation is the most expensive treatment but kills even severe infestations in the home's foundation.
Number of visits – Bed bugs often require multiple treatments since a single pregnant female that escapes can quickly start a re-infestation, especially if you only treat one room rather than the whole home.
Inspection types – Visual inspections cost $65 to $200 but trained dog sniffing inspections cost $300 to $600 and offer better accuracy, especially in cases of minor infestations.
Home's construction – Elevated homes can harbor bed bugs under the house and need additional treatments at a higher cost than slab homes without any space between the home and the foundation.
Extra services – Most exterminators are licensed to control other insects and rodents, so adding pest control services to your bed bug treatment makes financial sense.
Pest control services cost $400 to $950 per year, depending on the pests.
Termite treatment and control costs $1,000 to $2,500 to treat the home's perimeter with bait stations. Termite tenting costs $2,000 to $8,000.
Cockroach extermination costs $100 to $600, depending on the severity of the infestation.
Rodent removal costs $150 to $600.
Animal removal costs $200 to $600.
DIY bed bug treatments & home remedies
The best way to deal with bed bugs is to work with an experienced pest control professional since there is no single DIY treatment that will completely eradicate bed bugs. However, if you can't get a pest control company for a few days, you can try these common home remedies to slow the infestation:
Vacuum – Run your vacuum over your mattress, box spring, bed frame, and nearby baseboard crevices. This will not eliminate the problem but greatly reduces the number of bugs. Be sure to dump the vacuum outdoors to avoid spreading bed bugs to other areas of the house.
Steam – Apply steam to the corners and seams of the mattress, sofa, or bed frame every few days to kill new bed bugs as they hatch.
Protect your bed – Wrap the mattress and box spring in a bedbug-proof mattress and box spring encasement. The bugs are trapped and can't come out to bite you.
Scent treatments – While it is rumored that moth balls, dryer sheets, and essential oils will repel bed bugs, there is no proof that the bugs will stay away to avoid the harsh scents. Some laboratory tests indicate silicone and paraffin oil may suffocate bed bugs, but more testing is needed.
Alcohol – Spraying rubbing alcohol on your mattress and furniture is not effective and is dangerous. The rubbing alcohol is flammable and causes more harm to you than bugs.
Ultrasonic pest repellers – Devices that emit high-frequency sound waves are often reported to make the bed bugs uncomfortable until they leave the area. However, this is unproven and would do nothing to kill the eggs.
Bed bug extermination FAQs
Where do I check for bedbugs?
Look for bed bugs on mattresses and bedframes as they typically first appear near their food source of sleeping humans. However, bed bugs don't just live in your bed. They can also be found in baseboards, furniture, flooring, walls, and crawl spaces.
What are signs I have bedbugs?
The most obvious indicator that you have bed bugs is waking up with red, itchy, or swollen skin from bites. The painless bites tend to appear in small clusters on your neck, shoulders, arms, and legs. If you suspect you have bed bugs look for these signs:
Blood stains on sheets and pillowcases
Black or dark brown spots around mattress seams or bed frame slats
Small yellowish casings or skins around the mattress
A musty, sweet, or berry-like smell in the bedroom
How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?
Treatments can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to completely get rid of bed bugs. Here is a typical timeline for bed bug extermination:
Initial treatment – The first treatment takes 1 to 6 hours when the company applies the treatment of choice such as heat, chemicals, or steam. For severe infestation, fumigation takes 1 to 3 days or more to treat the entire home.
Monitoring – After the initial treatment, the exterminator will monitor the infested area for signs of bed bugs. This monitoring phase may last for several weeks.
Follow-up treatments – Frequently, the pest control company will need to repeat treatment in one or more areas where bugs that weren't killed have repopulated. These repeat treatments take place over several weeks or months.
Is it hard to get rid of bed bugs?
Yes, it is hard to get rid of bed bugs. The pests hide in small cracks and crevices and reproduce quickly, so even when you think they're gone, they often come back.
How can I prevent bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a nuisance and a real nightmare to get rid of, so follow these tips to prevent bed bugs in your home:
Be careful when traveling and inspect the hotel room for signs of bed bugs before you unpack.
Never open your suitcase on a hotel bed. Store it on the luggage rack instead.
Inspect and vacuum your luggage before bringing it inside your home.
Wash and dry your clothes and bedding in hot water after a trip.
Wrap your mattress and box spring in encasements.
Avoid bringing furniture from curbs or dumpsters inside your home.
Getting estimates from bed bug exterminators
Consider these suggestions to find a reputable bed bug exterminator near you:
Limit your search to licensed, bonded, and insured exterminators with several years of experience treating bed bugs.
Look for highly rated and reviewed exterminators on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask about a free initial inspection or a more costly dog sniffing inspection.
Be sure they offer a multi-year guarantee of their work.
Request written estimates from several exterminators and compare their treatment methods.
Questions to ask
Be sure to ask the exterminator these important questions before paying any deposits for their services:
Are you successful at treating bed bugs?
What treatment method do you prefer, and why?
Will you re-inspect my home after the initial treatment?
Are inspections and follow-up treatments included in your estimate?
How many treatments do you think my home will need based on the level of infestation?
Do you offer discounts for ongoing pest control services?