Costs

What pest control costs

Pest control prices vary a lot, and there's no reliable public survey of what Texas companies charge. So this page won't pretend to know what your job should cost. Instead, it shows the only two published ranges we could check, explains what pushes a price up or down, and lists the questions that help you compare.

Published ranges we could verify #

What changes the price #

• The pest. Termites and bed bugs tend to be bigger jobs than a few ants or the occasional roach. They often take more labor, more visits, or special equipment.
• How bad it is. A few ants in the kitchen is a quick job. German roaches in every room, or rats in the attic and walls, take more time and follow-up.
• Size of the home and yard. More square feet and more yard mean more product and more time.
• How the house is built. For termites, a slab foundation and a crawl space are treated differently. Drilling through a slab or trenching around the foundation adds labor.
• The method. Termite baits and liquid soil treatments are priced differently. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says soil treatments have usually cost less than baits, though that gap is changing. Baits also need regular monitoring visits. Bed bug heat treatment is priced differently from chemical treatment. Tent fumigation for drywood termites is its own kind of job.
• One visit or a plan. Some companies sell a one-time treatment. Others sell a monthly or quarterly plan. Ask for both prices if both are offered.
• Follow-up visits. Bed bugs, German roaches, and fleas usually need more than one visit. Ask how many are included.
• Sealing and repair work. For rodents, sealing entry points (exclusion) can cost more than trapping, but it's what keeps them out.
• Warranty. A termite warranty that covers repair of damage usually costs more than one that covers re-treatment only.
• Access. Attics, crawl spaces, and tight spots take longer.
• Apartments and duplexes. Pests that move between units may mean treating more than one unit.

Inspections #

Some companies charge for an inspection and some don't. For termite inspections, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) says inspection fees are usually small. Ask before anyone comes out, and ask whether the fee counts toward the treatment.

Termite jobs: get it in writing #

Texas rules require a written estimate with disclosure documents before any termite treatment begins. A company may give you a rough price range by phone, but that doesn't replace the written estimate. See the termite guide for what the documents must include.

How to compare prices #

The EPA suggests getting prices from two or three companies and looking at value, not just price. A low price that leaves out follow-up visits, sealing, or a warranty may cost more in the end.

Ask each company:

Get the final price, and the terms, in writing.

Red flags #

If you sign with a door-to-door salesperson at your home, Texas law generally gives you until midnight of the third business day to cancel. Cancel in writing and keep a copy.

Ways to keep costs down #

• Prevent first. Sealing gaps, fixing leaks, and cleaning up food and clutter cost little and help with almost every pest.
• Do the small jobs yourself. A few fire ant mounds or the occasional big roach are often fine to handle on your own. See Do it yourself or hire a pro.
• Know what you have. Getting the pest identified first keeps you from paying for the wrong treatment. See how to get a bug identified.
• Don't rush termite decisions. Termites work slowly. Taking a few weeks to compare companies is usually fine.

When you're ready to hire, check the license and read How to find a licensed company.

Photo: "Checking door sweep for gaps" by Cornell IPM (New York State Integrated Pest Management), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr. Cropped. All photo credits