The Cost of Bed Bug Extermination
If you’ve noticed signs of bed bugs in your home, it’s time to consider contacting a pest control expert. Prices may vary from business to business, though. While do-it-yourself methods may seem to be cheaper, they may not always work and may end up costing more in the long run. That said, it’s important to recognize the benefits of professional pest management.
First Off What Is a Bed Bug?
Bed bugs — tiny insects which feed exclusively on blood — aren't picky about where they live. They don't need to eat for months at a time, resulting in resilient little creatures which thrive in environments like hotel rooms or dormitories, and are happy to come along for a ride in your luggage as well. Once these bugs have taken up residence in your bedroom, they're difficult to find and remove.
Nationally, the average cost for bed bug extermination ranges between $320 and $400. Pricing will vary based on your geographic location, the severity of the bed bug infestation, the number of rooms affected, and what type of treatment is required to eliminate the little pests. Pest control pros may charge for bed bug treatment by the square footage of the property to be treated, at a flat fee per room, or by the hour of labor.
What Affects The Cost Of a Bed Bug Extermination?
Several factors can affect the average cost of a professional bed bug extermination. This includes the number of rooms affected, the severity of the infestation, the amount of furniture, the cleanliness of the area, and the construction of the home or office. Most pest control professionals do a walk-through before providing a quote so they can assess the space, recommend the right treatment, and price accordingly.
Number And Size of Rooms Affected
The more, and larger, the rooms that need treatment, the more you'll spend on bed bug extermination. Pest control professionals may charge a set rate per room, plus the cost of materials. They may charge a higher rate for the same size room if any other factors — like infestation severity and clutter — come into play.
Severity of Infestation
Another reason to call an exterminator early: the more severe the bed bug infestation is, the higher the cost. To determine how bad the infestation is, the pest control professional will inspect the entire area, looking for telltale signs of bed bug infestation such as exoskeletons and fecal matter. They'll look to see if it impacts the entire room, or just part of it, and to what extent.
Heavier infestations cost more to treat because exterminators need more product, time, and sometimes additional employees to take care of it. For example,
- Heavy bed bug infestation: $300-$400 per bedroom
- Light to moderate infestation: $250 per bedroom
- Preventative treatment for rooms with no infestation: $200 per room
Because bed bug populations multiply so quickly, it's important to get on top of treating your infestation quickly, so your light infestation doesn't turn into a heavy infestation.
Level of Cleanliness and Clutter
Dirt doesn't really affect whether bed bugs hang around your house, but clutter does. They love nooks and crannies to hide and lay eggs in.
It also affects the level of work and the cost of getting rid of them. If a home is messy or has a lot of clutter, the rate per room will be higher.
- Employees must sort through and clear the clutter to prepare the area for treatment.
- Employees must spray more products to treat all of the excess clutter.
Whether or Not You Need Fumigation
Depending on your situation, the pest control pro may also recommend fumigation. This is a more extreme solution as it involves completely sealing your home (often with a massive tarp) and pumping in a pesticidal gas. You and your family must leave for one to several days, and costs may range on average anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot — which can add up quickly if you have a large home. The good news is fumigation will eradicate all signs of bed bugs.