How Much Does Pest Control Cost in 2024?

As with most questions of this type, the response regarding the cost of pest control is that ‘it depends’. There are a number of factors that affect the cost and these need to be addressed before a clear answer can be given.

Irrespective of the cost, pest control is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. Pests can not only be annoying, but they can also cause ill health and can seriously damage your property to the point where your home is no longer habitable. Consequently, prompt action is essential to prevent problems from becoming even more costly.

Factors that Can Affect the Cost of Pest Control

The cost of general pest control will often average $300-700 for both interior and exterior treatment. However, this cost can vary widely depending on several factors:

• The size of your property since a bigger home will obviously require more extensive treatment than a small one. This will involve more time, more materials and thus a higher cost.
• The location of your property, with prices tending to be higher in city areas than in the suburbs. City areas often have higher rates of infestation due to the greater levels of congestion while remote areas might have a premium price because of the travelling needed to get to them.
• The type of treatment, which can include chemical and physical barriers, fumigation, habitat destruction and biological elimination. These treatments all have different costs and will be selected to deal with specific problems.
• Accessibility, since eradicating pests from roof spaces or under floors will be much more difficult than external nesting sites.
• The type of pest, since some are more difficult to locate and treat than others. Some can be eradicated with one or two sprays while others may require identification and removal of the nest.
• The level of infestation. If this is relatively low, a single treatment may be all that is needed. In the case of severe infestation, however, multiple visits and varying treatments may be necessary, adding to the cost.

Dealing with Specific Pests

Pest controllers generally charge around $165 per hour for their services or may have a flat rate for varying levels of treatment. For general pest control, this can range from $295 to spray a three-bedroom house internally and externally up to $450-700 for full treatment of both the interior and exterior.

We don’t do pre-purchase pest inspections anymore. Termite inspections are $350.

• Termites are almost certainly the biggest pest problem in Australia because they are capable of making a house unsafe and uninhabitable within less than twelve months. If you live in an area that’s at risk of termite infestation, you need to take action.
• The termite treatment cost for an individual area can vary and a comprehensive termite management system around the house, which is normally installed for timber-framed homes, will cost up to $5,500.
• Bees and wasps are dangerous for people who are allergic to their stings, and these are most likely when they swarm while looking for a new nest location. Hive removal is the best option and costs between $100 and $550.
• Cockroaches are attracted to a food source and can soon infest a whole property. Traps and sprays are used to get rid of them at a cost of $330-$440.
• Ants nest under paving and in walls and roofs but can often be found in kitchens where there is a source of food. Getting rid of them can cost $200-$330.
• Bed bugs can cause allergic reactions in some people because they feed on blood, resulting in poor sleep, bites and welts. Treatment is by fumigation or chemical powders, which can cost $880-$2000.
• Rodents, particularly rats and mice, can cause structural damage to your home, bring in lice and fleas, and carry various diseases so they need to be dealt with. We don't remove them. Baiting costs approx $220-$380.
• Spiders are generally harmless, but some are poisonous, particularly funnel web and redback spiders. We don't remove them. Treatment cost to spray a house is approx $295.
• Flea and tick removal costs $330-$440 for internal and external treatment.

Ensuring Cost-effective Pest Control

Whatever the cost of pest removal, ensure you get value for money. To do this:

• get 3-4 quotes so you can compare what is on offer
• don’t just take the cheapest quote because that may result in a sub-standard service using poor quality materials that aren’t very effective so you will need to repeat the treatment at additional cost
• check what exactly is being proposed; some providers will have different methods of treatment and not all have the same effect
• ensure the quote you are given is in writing and covers everything you need so there are no extra costs
• determine what materials are going to be used, which will need to be effective both long and short-term but also should not be harmful to you, your pets and the environment generally
• ensure the provider is licensed, experienced, provides a warranty for the work and has full insurance
• look at references and reviews, avoiding providers with none or a series of bad ones
• choose a company that you can trust and that will be there for your future needs
• take precautionary measures after the treatment to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem; many reputable companies will provide advice on what you need to do to keep pests away.

Pest control can seem expensive but it’s not when compared to the damage to your health and your property that can result from an infestation. The damage that termites, in particular, can do to your home is substantial and it won’t be covered by insurance so the termite treatment cost will be relatively insignificant, especially when it’s spread over a number of years.

Don’t take the risk of having your home and contents ruined by pests. An inspection can tell you what the problems are, and prompt action will prevent those problems from becoming worse and even more costly. If you need help, get in touch and we’ll sort things out quickly and efficiently.