Pest Control Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

Pest control typically costs $50 – $500 per appointment, and This Old House gives $171 as a typical visit. That figure covers a service call, not a year of protection. Many households sign up for a plan, which is typically priced per visit at a lower rate than a one-off call.

This guide is built around ongoing service: how plans are billed, how home size changes the price, and what a monthly or quarterly contract usually costs. For one-time treatment of a specific infestation, see the separate guide on exterminator costs.

Monthly pricing is how most companies present a general pest plan. A plan covers routine treatment of common household pests, such as ants, spiders, and roaches, usually with an exterior spray and an inspection.

Companies often bundle the price into a quarterly visit and show it as a monthly figure. The two views of the same plan are laid out below.

A plan with fewer visits costs less per year but leaves longer gaps. Ask how many visits are included, and whether a call between visits is free if pests return.

Square footage drives the price of a general plan more than any other factor. A bigger house means more perimeter to treat, more rooms to inspect, and more product.

These figures describe a treatment for a home of that size. A service agreement may bring the cost of later visits down, so ask for the recurring price separately.

Plans cover common pests, but specific infestations usually cost extra or require a separate treatment.

Bed bugs and termites cost the most. Both are difficult to treat, and neither is usually part of a basic plan. Ask exactly which pests a plan covers, since "general pest control" varies from company to company.

The right schedule depends on the pest pressure where you live. Homes near wooded areas, water, or older neighbors with a pest history may benefit from more frequent service. A quieter location may do fine with quarterly visits.

• Monthly. Highest cost, tightest coverage, and the most flexibility to respond to problems.
• Quarterly. A common middle ground that lines up with seasonal pest cycles.
• Annual or one-time. Lowest cost up front; better for a single known issue than for prevention.

Many companies offer an initial setup visit that costs more than later ones. Check whether the first-visit price is separate from the recurring rate.

The three sources in the first table do not agree, and part of that is definition. A per-appointment average blends cheap routine visits with costly treatments for bed bugs or termites. A source focused on routine service may report a narrower range. Differences in region, home size, and what counts as one appointment may also contribute.

When a company quotes you, compare it against the right figure: a recurring plan against recurring prices, and a specific infestation against the price for that pest.

• Home size. Larger homes and yards cost more to treat.
• Pest type and severity. A preventive plan costs less than treatment for an active infestation.
• Visit frequency. More visits raise the yearly total even if each one costs less.
• Property type. Single-family homes, condos, and homes with crawl spaces or attics are priced differently.
• Region. Local labor rates and the pests common in your climate play a role.
• Guarantees. Plans that include free return visits may cost more per month.

A plan makes sense where pests are a regular problem, or when you want to catch an issue early. For a household that sees an occasional insect, a single treatment when needed may be cheaper. Weigh the yearly total of the plan against what you would likely spend on call-outs. Read the contract for cancellation terms, auto-renewal, and what the guarantee actually covers.

Preparation can affect how well a treatment works. Technicians often ask you to clear space along baseboards, move furniture away from walls, and put away food and dishes. Pets and children may need to stay out of treated rooms for a period, and the company should tell you how long. Ask whether anything must be done between visits, such as fixing leaks or storing food in sealed containers, since pests return when the conditions that attract them stay the same.

• Which pests are covered, and which cost extra?
• How many visits are included each year?
• Is there a setup or first-visit fee?
• What is the cancellation policy, and does the contract renew automatically?
• Are the products safe for pets and children, and what should you do on treatment day?
• Is the company licensed, and can it provide proof of insurance?