What You Can Expect To Pay When Hiring A Bed Bug Exterminator

Have you noticed red dots on your skin or pests on the interior lining of your bedsheets? Those could be bed bugs, one of the most troublesome pests to rid from your home. They can take a lot of chemical treatment, and unlike flies, it's hard to eradicate them on your own. You can expect to need to hire a bed bug exterminator for the job. Costs for this type of job can range from $1,500 to $5,000 to treat the whole home, which is typically advisable. If you know you can get rid of them by treating just one room, you could pay between $250 and $1,100.

Various factors play a role in this cost, including where you live and how severe the infestation is. Several types of bed bug treatments exist, each with different applications and costs associated with them. Most often, the first step is to have an inspection from a pest exterminator to determine the extensiveness of the problem. That initial inspection (even if you are sure you have bed bugs) is likely going to cost between $50 and $200 based on if you obtain emergency service and the availability of a professional in your area. After that first inspection, you'll likely need to determine the right type of treatment for your home and begin application of it. Most homes require numerous bed bug treatments to get rid of these pests for good.

One of the biggest factors impacting what you can expect to pay for bed bug exterminators is the type of treatment best suited for your home. The most direct option is using chemical sprays, which usually cost between $2 and $5 per square foot. Fumigation is another option, which is a bit more expensive at between $4 and $8 per square foot. This method applies a gas to the entire structure of the home, treating all surfaces and air and killing the bed bugs. It's more effective, especially at treating bed bug eggs.

Heat treatment, or thermal bed bug treatment, is typically less expensive at between $1 and $3 per square foot. This method works well in situations where your budget is a factor, and you don't want to use chemical products, but it may be less effective at treating bed bug eggs.

Steam and freezing are two additional options available. Both work to kill both bed bugs and their eggs, and neither involves the use of highly toxic chemicals. Steam is a bit less expensive at a range of $2 to $8 per square foot, while freezing ranges from $3 to $6 per square foot. Work with the exterminator to determine which method is best suited for your home's conditions.

To get rid of bed bugs in your home, you'll likely need to hire a professional. You may be able to use fogger-style products to do it yourself at a much lower cost, but these are typically less effective.

Other factors could impact the overall cost you pay as well. Location can play a role in this, especially if you live on the top floor of an apartment complex or well out into a remote area. If you're renting, your building may cover the costs. Also note that the more furniture you have in your home, the more complex the project gets because the bed bugs can hide in many crevices and corners. Some people may also wish to pay more for treatment so they don't have to wait. Many exterminators charge a higher fee of around $200 to $500 for emergency service.

The severity of the presence of bed bugs also matters. Typically, the more significant the infestation is, the more treatments you'll need. A single visit that treats the entire problem is less expensive, but a monthly treatment on an ongoing basis may be better for homes not just with an infestation but at high risk for a recurrence. That can be a factor in areas of the country where bed bugs have become difficult to control.