One of the main reasons that people tend to try and take care of insect problems themselves is to avoid the cost of hiring a professional. That’s a very fair point but it can be helpful to know roughly what costs you’re talking about before you start avoiding the pros. It’s not really all that expensive, especially when you consider the alternative of letting insect populations get out of control.
Get an Estimate
One of the great things about professional pest control is that you can almost always get a free estimate before you commit to anything. That’s really the best way to figure out your costs, rather than guessing ahead of time. Most companies do this, such as
Elgin pest control company Fox. If a company wants to charge you for an estimate, you probably should keep looking.
Once they have seen your specific situation, they can quickly let you know the cost. It varies so much because there are many things to consider.
Depends on the Service
This is why an estimate is important and you can’t rely too heavily on general figures. A big factor is the size of your home, or at least the area that is going to need treatment. One small room or apartment will not take as much time to do or as much insecticide to spray as a 2,000 sq ft home. These things are reflected in the cost.
Most invoices will include costs for the exterminators time, so any job that takes longer will cost more. That might include a treatment that involves crawling around in attics or crawlspaces, adding more time (and cost) to your bill. You can help save a bit on the time aspect by moving furniture or otherwise making access easier for the professionals when they arrive.
It will also depend on how severe your infestation is, and what kinds of insects are being targeted. Are they using sprays, baits, or other techniques? A simple spraying is going to cost a lot less than having your entire house tented for termite fumigation.
The Bottom Line
With everything factored in, you can expect a very rough estimate of around $200 – $400 for a professional exterminator treatment. Some companies will include follow-up treatments in their costs as well, which is a nice feature to look for. You might even be lucky to work with a company that as a satisfaction guarantee, and will continue treatments until you are happy with the results.
Is it worth it?
If this is more than you had hoped to pay, you are probably wondering if it’s worth the money to hire a professional. Again, that will depend on your situation. A small problem may be something you can take care of on your own but you run the risk of not doing an adequate job and letting the pests get even more out of hand. A professional brings higher-quality insecticides to the problem, as well as their own training and expertise.
Getting a free estimate is still the best first step. A reputable company will be clear that a small problem may be handled on your own, so why not get their opinion before deciding.