Exterminator

[swilshire]

Any suggestions on what I might expect to pay an exterminator for a one time visit? House is about 1500 sf and has a full basement underneath.

Thanks,

Sheila

 

[jel0511]

Most places will want you to sign a quarterly service agreement at least that's how it is around here. We pay $90 + tax a quarter. Bugs are now a memory.......

 

[carebee21]

We pay $60 each visit, not on a contract, and they recommend a treatment every other month for our 2000 square foot home. They spray inside and outside the home. Our cost is just for basic prevention services for normal bugs (ants, cockroaches, bees)

But it also depends on what you want them to treat. If you have an actual infestation, or something that isn't really "normal" (mice, rats, termites) the price is a lot higher.

 

[ilovepete]

We pay $360 a year and our guy is SO worth it.

 

[ssawka]

I don't think you would get a company to come out just once, and I'm not sure it would do any good. Extermination is not really the same as buying bug killer spray and spraying the bugs. The exterminators will lay traps with "poison" that the bugs will eat and take it back to the colony. Yhe idea is that you kill off the colony rather than individual bugs. In order for this method to be effective, re-treatment is necessary. That's how it was explained to me anyway! I am not a bug guy!

 

[2goofycampers]

Most, if not all the big name companies want a contract. Look for a small independent company. The guy I worked for charged $75.00 for a 1 time visit.

 

[ajh88]

Our contract started off as $75 for the first visit, then $35 every other month as scheduled - and then as needed visits in between for no additional charge. It has been over a year and we still just pay the $35 every other month, so $210 a year.

It is the *best* money we have spent on our home. And I agree with a PP - unless it is a specific infestation, it isn't really a one-time thing. I think we live ON an ant hill and if we don't keep up with the regular maintenance, we start seeing them inside...ick!

We went with a small local company and we just pay the guy when he comes out on his scheduled calls (not auto debit or anything).

 

[JandJ]

I think it depends on where you live, as far as cost, but I'd recommend finding a small, family owned, or private bug company vs. a big name chain. We're in Florida a.k.a. "bug capital of the US" with roaches, ants, springtails, etc. I LOVE our bug company! They're family owned - the big name chain folks wanted double what we pay. We found them on Angie's List (which I highly recommend). Our guy comes out once a year for inside treatment, including the attic and crawl space, and outside treatment for $320 (1600 sq ft house plus garage) and will come back for free if we find live bugs in between the yearly visits. No contract or anything like that.

Unfortunately, earlier this year, we had rats get into the crawl space under our house and get into our attic They treated with traps for only $75 (flat fee) and came back 3 times to empty the traps until there were no more rats. They even sealed up the crawl space where they were coming in - amazing company! A friend of mine had the same problem with rats, went with a big name chain and paid $300. What's worse is they couldn't find one of the traps (like a rat was in it, but scurried off) and they never even looked for it - she has a rotting rat in her attic! They also didn't even seal up where the rats were coming in from the outside!

 

[swilshire]

If you have an actual infestation, or something that isn't really "normal" (mice, rats, termites) the price is a lot higher.

Mice are pretty normal where we live. It is not uncommon to see little field mice in our own house.

I let DD make the calls. As mentioned above, most companies wanted a long-term contract. The one she chose charged $175 to come out (actually twice, because they "bombed" the house on the second visit) and promise to come back as needed for 60 days.

She seems satisfied with the results. I've been away.

Thanks for all the responses.

Sheila

 

[CatNipRules]

We pay $32 per month for our exterminator. We had a serious black widow problem. The one thing that I can't stand is spiders. So for me it is worth it.

Most places want a contract before they come out. I would call around and see what they say. I agree with others that say that you should find a small company because they can usually do it without a contract.

Good luck!

 

[Friendly Frog]

Big name chain, in Texas, for termites = 1800.00 for approx. 2200 sq foot home.