How much does bed bug heat treatment cost?
How much does bed bug heat treatment cost?
$1 – $3 cost per square foot
$2,000 – $6,000 average cost to treat a whole home (2,000 SF)
Bed bug heat treatment cost
Bed bug heat treatment costs $1 to $3 per square foot or $2,000 to $6,000 for heat remediation in a 2,000 SF home. Bed bug extermination with heat and pesticides costs $2 to $4 per square foot and is most effective. A visual bed bug inspection costs $65 to $200.
| House size (square feet) | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 1,500 | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| 1,800 | $1,800 – $5,400 |
| 2,000 | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| 2,500 | $2,500 – $7,500 |
| 3,000 | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| 4,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 |
*Heat remediation only.
Heat treatment is the preferred method to eliminate bed bugs in homes with pregnant residents, infants, or those suffering from health conditions that prohibit the use of chemical pesticides.
Heat treatment uses propane heat blasters to raise the temperature inside the entire house to between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 hours to kill the bugs and their eggs.
Clothing, furniture, and accessories must stay in the home to ensure that bugs hiding in those items are killed and not brought back into the home to repopulate.
Bed bug heat treatment cost factors
Most pest control companies base their total extermination fee on the home's square footage since heat treatments are holistic, meaning the entire home is treated. Factors that affect heat treatment costs include:
Home's size – The larger the home, the more costly the treatment. However, the treatment is most effective in smaller spaces where the heat can be contained. Larger homes may require supplemental pesticide treatments.
Number of visits – Bed bugs often require multiple treatments since the heat may not reach every single bed bug when a home is too large or cluttered.
Add-on treatments – Heat treatment is more effective when combined with chemical pesticide applications and encasements for mattresses and box springs, which add to the treatment costs.
Other pest services – Most exterminators are licensed to control other insects and rodents, so adding pest control services to your bed bug treatment is more practical and saves time later.
Pest control services cost $300 to $900 per year, depending on the pests in your home.
Termite treatment and control costs $330 to $820 for exterior treatment or $1,200 to $3,000 for complete tenting and fumigation.
Cockroach extermination costs $120 to $160, depending on the roach variety.
Rodent removal costs $150 to $600.
Animal removal costs $200 to $600.
Bed bug inspection cost
A bed bug inspection costs $65 to $200 for a visual inspection only. A more accurate dog sniffing inspection costs $300 to $600, with highly trained dogs finding even the most minor infestations.
How to prepare your home for bed bug heat treatment
After an inspection confirms the presence of bed bugs, prepare your house for treatment by completing the following tasks:
Beds – Remove linens and under-bed storage before moving beds away from the walls.
Clothing – Leave clothing in drawers and closets so that bugs hiding in clothing are treated.
Stored items – Remove all boxes and stored items from closets and place the open containers in the center of the room for treatment. Dispose of non-valuable items that are not worth the time to heat since the more clutter in your home, the longer the home will need to be heated.
Other tasks:
Leave wheelchairs and scooters inside the home since they are a popular hiding place for bed bugs.
Close windows and turn off air conditioners and fans.
Vacuum the house and empty the vacuum in the outside trash.
Bed bug heat treatment vs. other treatment costs
Bed bug extermination costs $1 to $8 per square foot, depending on the treatment method. Bed bug heat treatment services are the most affordable treatment, while fumigation is the most expensive due to the added cost of chemicals and pesticides.
| Method | Average cost (per square foot) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical pesticides | $2 – $5 | Liquid insecticides are sprayed to kill bugs and eggs. |
| Heat treatment | $1 – $3 | Heats the space to between 120 and 140 degrees |
| Steam | $2 – $7 | High-temperature steam penetrates deep into fabrics and furniture. |
| Freezing | $3 – $6 | Carbon dioxide dry-ice particles freeze bugs and eggs. |
| Fumigation | $4 – $8 | A sealed tent around the home is filled with gas pesticides. |
Bed bug heat treatment FAQs
Will heat treatment for bed bugs damage my home?
Heat treatment is a safe and effective way to kill bed bugs, but it can potentially damage your home and belongings if not done properly. Hire a reputable pest control company with experience in heat treatments to properly prepare your home and minimize the risk of damage.
How effective is heat treatment for bed bugs?
Heat treatment is effective at eliminating bed bugs, killing 95% of bed bugs and their eggs. Treatment is most effective when every surface is properly prepared, allowing heat to reach every item including furniture drawers, clothing, and stored items.
Does heat treatment kill bed bug eggs?
Yes, heat treatment kills bed bugs at any stage of the bug's life from egg to adult.
Can bed bugs come back after heat treatment?
Since bed bugs can hide in pipes and foundations which are naturally cooler, some bugs may survive heat treatment and reappear later. Many pest control companies combine heat treatment with chemical pesticides. When the bed bugs come back to feed, they are killed by the residual pesticides.
How long does heat treatment for bed bugs take?
Heat treatment takes 6 to 9 hours total to ensure all the bed bugs and their eggs are eliminated.
Getting estimates from bed bug exterminators
Select an bed bug exterminator near you with a reputation for success in treating bed bugs using these recommendations:
Pick from licensed, bonded, and insured exterminators with years of success treating bed bugs.
Find highly rated and reviewed pest control companies on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask if they offer free bed bug inspections.
Only select from companies that include a multi-year guarantee of their work.
Request written estimates from several exterminators, comparing treatment methods and costs.
Questions to ask
When discussing your bed bug treatment needs with an exterminator, be sure to ask these questions:
What is your success rate with treating bed bugs with heat?
Do you recommend chemical pesticides in conjunction with heat treatment?
How often do you re-inspect my home after the initial treatment?
What inspections and follow-up treatments are included in your estimate?
Will my home require more than one heat treatment?
How should I prepare my home for the treatment?
Do you provide ongoing pest control services?