Getting rid of bed bugs isn’t cheap, but ignoring the problem will only make it worse. Professional extermination costs between $300 and $5,000, with most homeowners paying around $1,500 for treatment. Prices depend on the severity of the infestation, the treatment method, and the size of your home.
Bed bugs spread quickly and are resistant to most DIY treatments, making professional help your best bet. The sooner you act, the less you’ll pay—extensive infestations can cost $4,000 or more to fully eliminate. In this guide, we’ll break down the cost of different extermination methods, factors that affect pricing, and how to keep these pests from coming back.
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How Much Do Bed Bug Exterminators Cost?
The cost of hiring a bed bug exterminator ranges from $300 to $5,000, with an average of $1,500. Prices depend on your home’s size, the infestation’s severity, and the treatment method.
Typical Cost by Treatment Area:
- One room: $300–$1,000
- Two rooms: $500–$1,200
- Three rooms: $1,000–$2,500
- Whole house: $1,700–$5,000
- Per square foot: $4–$7.50
- Per hour: $145–$225
Cost by Treatment Type
You can choose from multiple treatment options when signing on with a pest control company or bed bug exterminator. Each treatment has a different price. The most common treatments exterminators use to get rid of bed bugs include heat treatment, chemical treatment, freezing, or fumigation.
| Treatment Method | Cost Per Room |
| Heat | $150–$395 |
| Chemical treatment | $264–$775 |
| Freezing | $396–$1,250 |
| Fumigation | $528–$1,056 |
💡 Pro Tip: Heat and steam treatments are the most effective chemical-free options, while fumigation is best for severe infestations.
What Factors Affect Bed Bug Exterminator Pricing?
Your chosen treatment method isn’t the only cost factor. Other variables include:
- Home size – Larger homes require more treatment and labor.
- Infestation location – If bed bugs are in walls or furniture, treatment is more complex.
- Infestation severity – More bed bugs mean more labor and follow-up treatments.
- Furniture – Infested furniture requires special treatments or disposal.
- Number of visits – Some infestations require multiple treatments.
Cost by Home Size
| Number of Rooms | Average Cost per Visit |
| 1 Bedroom | $300–$650 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $700–$1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,050–$1,450 |
| Whole House | $1,500–$5,000 |
How Infestation Location Affects Cost
If bed bugs are in accessible areas (like beds and furniture), heat, steam, or CO2 treatments may be sufficient. But if they’ve spread into walls, outlets, or deep inside furniture, fumigation or multiple treatments may be required, increasing costs.
How Severity Affects Costs
A minor infestation (a few bugs in one room) may cost $300–$1,000. A severe infestation requiring whole-home treatment can exceed $5,000. In extreme cases, costs may reach $25,000.
Number of Visits & Treatment Plan Costs
Depending on the severity and nature of the infestation, a pest control company may need to return for follow-up treatments to completely exterminate the bed bugs.
Here is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for each professional treatment plan:
| Treatment Plan | Total Cost |
| Single Visit | $850–$1,150 |
| Monthly | $4,700–$6,800 |
| Semi-monthly | $5,100–$7,800 |
| Quarterly | $1,700–$2,300 |
How To Minimize the Cost When Hiring a Bed Bug Exterminator
Reducing the cost of pest control can be difficult, especially when experiencing an emergency infestation. However, there are several things you can do to reduce the size of your final price tag.
1. Take Proper Precautions When Traveling
Check hotel beds before unpacking. Look for rust-colored stains, black spots, or live bugs along mattress seams. Keep luggage off the floor and wash travel clothes in hot water when you return.
2. Do Your Own Inspections
Before calling an exterminator, check common bed bug hiding spots:
- Bed frames and box springs
- Baseboards and walls behind beds
- Nearby furniture (especially couches)
- Closets, luggage, and clothing
3. Compare Pest Control Companies
Get quotes from at least three reputable exterminators. Check Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Reviews for customer feedback. Many companies offer free inspections—use these to compare pricing and treatment plans.
Bed bugs are commonly picked up during travel, hitching rides on luggage or clothing. To avoid bringing bed bugs into your home, use metal racks when on the road and avoid leaving your suitcase on the ground or bed. Additionally, always inspect your suitcase when you get home and wash your travel clothes in hot water.
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DIY Vs. Professional Bed Bug Removal: Which One Is Better?
While some pests can be handled by yourself, some species reproduce too quickly and are too difficult to dislodge without professional equipment and techniques. Cockroaches, termites, fleas, and, unfortunately, bed bugs all fall under this category. These particular pests can be hard to spot, resistant to most conventional do-it-yourself treatment, and tend to infest homes quickly, making at-home management near impossible.
When to Call a Professional
If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, it’s always best to contact a professional exterminator immediately, as bed bugs often resist many DIY methods. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive they are to eliminate.
Final Thoughts on Bed Bug Extermination Costs
Bed bugs are one of the toughest household pests to eliminate. They spread through luggage, clothing, and secondhand furniture, leaving itchy bites and stains behind. DIY treatments rarely work, and ignoring the problem can lead to higher extermination costs
If you need professional help, compare multiple exterminators to find the best price and service. Acting quickly can save you thousands in the long run.
I recommend Terminix. Terminix is a well-established, trusted brand with high customer satisfaction ratings and decades of industry experience. More importantly, the company offers custom bed bug protection plans tailored to your home’s needs. Remember, bed bug protection and extermination plans are separate from general pest control services and must be purchased separately.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
FAQs About Bed Bug Exterminator Costs
The national average cost for bed bug extermination is around $1,500, but depending on the severity of the infestation, costs can exceed $4,000. Light infestations in a single room may cost as little as $300, while whole-home fumigation can be $5,000 or more.
In most cases, no. Bed bugs reproduce quickly and are highly resistant to over-the-counter sprays and DIY treatments. While some homeowners have success with mattress encasements, steam cleaning, and diatomaceous earth, these methods rarely eliminate an entire infestation.
Professional exterminators use heat treatments and commercial-grade pesticides to ensure all bed bugs, eggs, and hidden colonies are eliminated. Without expert treatment, bed bugs often return within weeks.
Getting rid of bed bugs is challenging. Bed bugs are masters of hiding in cracks, furniture, and even electrical outlets. They can survive months without feeding and are resistant to many pesticides. Because they multiply rapidly, a small problem can turn into a major infestation in just weeks.
Early warning signs of bed bugs include:
- Rust-colored stains on bed sheets or mattress seams
- Small, red bite marks in clusters or lines
- Musty odor near sleeping areas
- Tiny black fecal spots along mattress seams, baseboards, or furniture
- Live bugs or eggs in mattress crevices, furniture, or behind wallpaper
Pro Tip: If you suspect bed bugs, act fast! The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive they are to eliminate.
