How Much Does It Cost For A Professional Home Pest Inspection?

We all have our phobias, and no one likes having any kind of pest problem, but it's one of the responsibilities of being a homeowner. When purchasing a house, there will be a time when a professional home pest inspection may be necessary. But regardless of whether you buy or rent, if you notice signs that you might have a pest problem, you'll need to make an appointment for an inspection. The average cost of a professional home pest inspection is around $133, and possibly up to $400. Luckily, it won't break the bank, but it's still significant. However, if you're not in the middle of a real estate deal, many companies offer termite and other pest inspections for free.

Things that might affect the price are the size and location of your home, the type of pest inspection and, of course, the company you use. Before you even call a professional, you should have a good idea of what kind of pests you suspect and where you think they are in your house. A general pest inspection will typically cover: cockroaches, spiders, fleas, bed bugs, termites, wasps, moths, mosquitoes, rodents, and snakes. You should typically have one done annually.

Let's start with cockroaches, which, if infested, may take more than one treatment to eliminate. For just one visit, it will cost between $100 and $400, with the average being $150. The bigger your house, the higher the price. If you have a bed bug infestation, it will be expensive. The cost of bed bug extermination ranges between $534 to $4,167, depending on what type of treatment you choose and whether you need the whole house done or just a room or two. They're nearly impossible to get rid of without a professional.

Part of the home inspection cost will typically include a termite inspection. If evidence of termites is found, eliminating them ranges from $230 to $930, with an average price of $575. There are multiple treatments for termites, some similar to the methods used for bed bugs. Termites are also nearly impossible to get rid of without a professional, and they cause devastating damage if not eliminated. For our final example, if you need to have a snake removed, it will typically cost you between $300 and $500. The two main variables are whether the snake is venomous and where it's located in the house. There are others, but these are a few common examples.

To keep pests out of your home, learning to spot indications of an infestation is important. This is a warning sign if you start seeing wings piling up on windowsills. For termites, look for mud tubes on the sides of your house or small pilings of what looks like sawdust. Sometimes, the best way to test for damage is by knocking on different spots on the wood inside your house. If it sounds hollow where it shouldn't be, it may be a sign of infestation.

For bed bugs, look for tiny reddish-brown stains on bedding or mattresses and pillows. Bites often show up in threes. For rodents, look for any gnawed wiring, cloth, or wood. Sometimes they leave a greasy trail where they travel along the floors. Additionally, keep in mind they can get in through the tiniest of crevices. Sealing up the perimeter of your house with caulking in all the cracks will help to keep all pests outside.

Lastly, if you have any clutter outside your house, such as piles of leaves, wood, rocks, garbage, or any place that offers a habitat for pests, clean it up. If you notice chewed plants or pest damage close to the house, it's a warning sign. Call for a pest inspection immediately when you notice any of these.