TLDR: Most pest control visits cost $100 to $300, with a national average around $170. Companies that price per job charge $100 to $600 for common pests; we don’t offer per-job work — every Better Termite service is a recurring plan. Termite work costs more, from $225 to $8,000 depending on the approach. Tri-annual plans (three visits per year) are the most popular choice and usually cost $98 to $300 per visit. Starting with prevention almost always costs less than fixing a major problem later.
This page answers one question: what does it cost to call an exterminator out for a specific pest? Below are per-visit rates by job, the factors that move a quote up or down, the seasonal swings, and the fees worth asking about before you book. If you are budgeting for ongoing coverage instead of a single call, our pest control plan pricing guide compares tri-annual, monthly and annual programs.
I remember a job in Alexandria during my training where a homeowner noticed a small bulge in their window sill. When we checked the crawl space, we found years of termite damage that could have been prevented with early action. This showed me how the level of service you choose can have a huge financial impact over time.
Average Exterminator Costs
The national median for pest control sits at about $170 per visit, with most homeowners paying between $100 and $300. The full range runs from $100 for basic ant treatment up to $8,000 for whole-house fumigation. Most homeowners land somewhere in the middle, especially when they choose prevention over reactive treatment.
In the DMV area, costs fall near these national numbers. Termite work often runs higher because of our region’s high water table and moisture. Our area’s wide range of pests, from subterranean termites to Asian tiger mosquitoes, means costs can vary a lot.
Service Types and What They Cost
Per-Job Pricing Across the Industry
Companies that price per job charge $100 to $600 for common insects. That typically covers inspection, targeted treatment, and a 30-day follow-up window.
Through working with many pest cases, I’ve found that reactive, job-by-job work often ends up costing more than an ongoing plan because problems come back. That’s why Better Termite doesn’t sell standalone jobs — all of our service is delivered on a recurring plan.
First Visit for Recurring Plans
The first visit usually costs $150 to $300, the most expensive single appointment. This higher price reflects the longer inspection time, trap placement, entry point sealing, and setup work involved.
If You Switch to a Plan Instead
Recurring coverage is priced differently: monthly visits run $40 to $80 a trip, tri-annual programs $98 to $300 a visit, and annual packages $300 to $900 a year. For what each level includes and how the programs compare over time, see our pest control plan pricing guide — that is where plan pricing lives.
Costs by Pest Type
Ants
Ant control runs $100 to $500 per job at companies that price that way. Carpenter ants can push costs higher because of their wood-damaging behavior. Good ant control often needs multiple treatment methods based on the species.
In the DC metro area, ants usually respond well to targeted baiting and perimeter treatments. Our ant programs start around $49 monthly with a $200 setup fee.
Termites
Termite treatment costs vary the most. Sentricon monitoring systems offer proactive protection. Liquid barrier treatments cost $225 to $2,500. Whole-house tenting reaches $2,000 to $8,000 for severe cases.
Starting with a proactive solution like Sentricon almost always costs less than fixing advanced damage. The monitoring approach catches termite activity early, before expensive repairs are needed.
Annual termite warranty renewals run $150 to $400 per year after the initial setup.
Rodents
Rodent control averages around $300 per job at companies that price that way, and rats can cost up to $1,200 if extensive trapping and repairs are needed. We don’t sell per-job rodent work — our recurring rodent plans start around $49 monthly after a one-time $200 setup fee on the first visit, with follow-up visits included.
Our rodent guide explains why ongoing monitoring beats reactive, job-by-job work. Rodents breed fast, so effective plans focus on sealing access points and keeping bait stations maintained.
Spiders, Fleas, and Other Pests
Flea control runs $100 to $400 per treatment. Spider control falls in the same range. Spider management often needs ongoing treatment because they come back quickly from nearby properties.
We don’t handle bed bugs or wildlife issues like squirrels or bats. We focus on the pests where we deliver the best value.
- Physical removal and traps: $100 to $600 for wildlife cages and rodent stations
- Chemical applications: $100 to $3,000 for interior and exterior treatments
- Fumigation: $1,500 to $8,000 including monitoring and clearance
- Heat treatments: $1,000 to $3,500 per zone
The treatment method you choose depends on the pest type, how bad the problem is, and your budget.
What Drives the Cost
How Bad the Problem Is
The severity of the infestation has the biggest impact on price. Minor problems often need just perimeter treatment. Severe ones may need interior work, monitoring devices, and multiple follow-up visits.
Different pests breed at different rates. A single pregnant mouse can produce dozens of offspring in months, making early action key to keeping costs down.
Property Size and Access
Square footage affects material use and treatment time. But where the infestation is often matters more than overall property size. Crawl spaces, attic access, and brick veneer can all add to treatment difficulty.
Our 78-point inspection identifies these factors upfront so there are no surprises.
Products Used
Eco-friendly and organic products may cost 10 to 30 percent more than standard options. But they often last longer and prevent resistance issues.
The EPA recommends using the least-risk approach first. This often lowers long-term costs by avoiding resistance problems and repeat treatments.
Seasonal Pricing
Spring and Summer
Spring brings termite swarms and growing ant colonies. Summer demand peaks for mosquito and tick treatments. Our SeasonGuard+ program handles seasonal changes with 9 treatments spread across the year, skipping November, December, and February when pest activity drops.
Fall and Winter
Fall treatments focus on blocking overwintering pests like stink bugs from getting inside. Winter monitoring continues for rodents and moisture issues, often at lower prices since pest pressure drops.
Many homeowners find winter a great time to start annual programs, as pest control companies may offer deals during slower periods.
Getting Good Quotes
Questions to Ask
When looking for an exterminator, ask for a written scope of work with specific products listed. Find out about follow-up policies and whether extra visits cost more if the first treatment needs backup.
Key questions: What pests are covered? How fast do they respond to callbacks? How do they handle warranty claims?
Watch for Hidden Fees
Some pest control pricing looks simple until extra charges show up. Cleanup costs, disposal, and special access needs can add $100 to $400 to your bill.
Get quotes from several companies, but focus on value, not just the lowest price. Very cheap prices may mean corners are cut on products, thoroughness, or follow-up.
Making Smart Choices
Based on my experience with hundreds of cases, I always tell customers to look at what’s included at each service level, not just the price. Starting with prevention almost always costs less than waiting for problems to develop.
The type of pest, the extent of the problem, and your home’s weak spots all affect the cost. Investing in prevention and early detection usually gives the best return.
Call us at 703-683-2000 or email info@bettertermite.com for a detailed quote that fits your budget.
