How Much Does A Bed Bug Exterminator Cost?

Of all of the pests homeowners face, bed bugs hit where it really hurts the most. The last thing that any sensible homeowner wants is to feel unsafe in their house. Unfortunately, bed bugs excel at making it difficult to get comfortable or feel safe in your own home.

The average bed bugs exterminator cost is $2,000, but it costs $4,000 for whole-house bed bug extermination. Homeowners spend $500 for insecticide treatment, and thermal extermination costs $3 per square foot. Fumigation costs $5 per square foot, and it costs $600 per room for bed bug steam treatment.

If you suspect that you have bed bugs, don’t let the large price tag scare you. The earlier you catch bed bugs, the more likely you are to spend less than $500.

Follow along, and we will explore the costs of hiring a bed bug exterminator.

Often times, bed bugs get into someone’s house via used clothing or furniture. Bed bugs have the pesky ability of easily clinging to people or things and hitching a ride.

Even if you visit a friend who unbeknownst to you has bed bugs, they could follow you home. They can easily travel between rooms, so bed bugs are known to spread quickly.

You can easily identify them visually as they’re tiny bugs that leave droppings across your bed. If you wake up itchy, spot droppings, or see a live bed bug, call an exterminator.

It can cost as much as $1,000-$3,000 and more, or $400-$500 for small spaces. Bed bug treatment costs vary based on the exterminator, the size of the house, and the severity of the infestation. What type of treatment is required also affects the cost.

Fumigation and thermal extermination services are the most expensive bed bug removal methods. However, if you catch bed bugs early on and it is contained to one room, either service could cost $300-$500.

As you can see, there are a few different ways to exterminate bed bugs. However, it can be tough knowing which service best suits your infestation. Since the be bug treatment plans vary in cost, it’s important to know the differences.

The two best insecticides that exterminators use for bed bugs are pyrethroids and pyrethrins. Generally, exterminators charge you per room for bed bug insecticide applications. Expect to spend up to $500 for insecticide treatment.

However, if you the bed bugs are confined to a small space, it may only cost $150 for bug removal. Insecticides are not safe for humans to breathe in, and you should remove exposed food, water, or clothing.

Thermal extermination is a common way to get rid of bed bugs. Pests like bed bugs don’t go down without a fight, and sometimes heat is all that you need. The price for thermal extermination varies based on the size of your home.

You will pay roughly $3 per square foot for thermal bed bug extermination. Exterminators pump air that is either 118 or 122 degrees Fahrenheit into the room. They then leave the heat flowing in the air for 90 minutes.

During those 90 minutes, the bed bugs should all die. Thermal treatment is highly effective. The only downside is that it does not prevent future bed bugs because it is not chemical.

You may be tempted to use a carpet steamer to save a few bucks, but it won’t work. Instead, spend the $600 a room that an exterminator charges for bed bug removal.

Steam treatments work similarly to thermal extermination in that heat is what kills the bed bugs. However, steamers get even hotter than thermal extermination treatments. Steamers typically run at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Part of the high cost of steaming for bed bugs is the danger associated with it. There is a high risk of burns, and it requires expensive equipment.

Fumigation is where an exterminator utilizes a gas called sulfuryl fluoride to kill bed bugs. On average, exterminators charge $5 per square foot for fumigation.

Some homeowners are hesitant to fumigate because of the concerns over chemicals. However, if bed bugs have spread throughout the house, fumigation is necessary.

Fumigation can cost over $2,000 because exterminators often fumigate an entire house. This is one of the most expensive options, but it also kills and prevents future bed bugs.

Even more than the type of treatment, the severity of the infestation affects the cost. One of the things that bed bugs are best at is spreading. Bed bugs move at a rate of 3’ to 4’ each minute.

What sometimes starts as an annoying bed bug situation in the bedroom, can become a house-wide infestation. Bed bug eggs hatch after only 10 days, and a single bed bug can lay up to 250 eggs.

Because of that, it is imperative that you catch bed bugs early so that your bill stays low.

Related Questions

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Generally, bed bugs are not considered dangerous. However, some people have allergic reactions to bed bugs and may need treatment. Most people that are bit by bed bugs are simply left with a small, harmless bite.

How can you identify bed bugs?

Look for red or brown stains on your bedding. The stains either indicate that a bed bug died there, or it left droppings. You may also notice mildly itchy bites on your skin upon waking up, or even seeing a bed bug.

How can you prevent bed bugs?

If you buy anything used, check it for bed bugs before bringing it into your home. Use preventative insecticides if you fear that you were exposed to be bugs. Otherwise, minimize dark, cluttered spaces in your bedroom where bed bugs could nest.

Can bed bugs live in walls?

In cases of heavy infestations, yes, sometimes bed bugs live in walls. There are often small cracks and openings in walls that are perfect for bed bugs. For such heavy infestations, the only real solution is fumigation, otherwise they are unreachable.

In most cases, hiring a bed bug exterminator costs $1,000-$3,000. However, if you caught your bed bugs before they could spread, it may only cost $400-$600. Unfortunately, bed bugs move quickly and reproduce rapidly.

If your bed bug infestation turns into a severe case, it could cost you $5,000. You can try to prevent bed bugs by hiring an exterminator to do a chemical prevention for roughly $450-$900.

Otherwise, monitor any second-hand clothes or furniture you have for bed bugs. If you see red or brown spots on bedding or bed bugs themselves, call an exterminator.

Catching bed bugs early could be the difference between $400-$500, and $3,000.