From incessant scratching to bites that pinch, fleas are unexpected houseguests that no homeowner wants to host. If you’ve found yourself with a home full of fleas, you might be concerned about how much professional pest control companies will charge you to get rid of fleas.
Thankfully, fleas are not as destructive as other pests, requiring less intensive treatment methods. For example, unlike a termite infestation, fleas do not have the capacity to destroy the structural integrity of your home. However, they can harm children and adults alike, causing stinging, painful bites that can transmit disease—which means that you should seek professional pest removal as soon as you notice a problem. Read on to learn more about what you should expect when calling an exterminator for fleas.
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When to Call an Exterminator for Fleas
While fleas are a common problem for homeowners across the United States, a full-blown flea infestation can present a serious health threat to you and your family. Some of the most common signs of a flea infestation that requires professional pest control include the following.
- Fleas in your bed: Adult fleas tend to congregate in areas where they have easy access to food. If you’re seeing fleas in your bed, chances are high that your fleas are getting their meals from you. Look for live fleas or “flea dirt,” a term for the small droppings of feces left behind in areas where a moderate to severe flea problem is present.
- Flea bites: Fleas are similar to bed bugs because they feed on the blood of pets and animals. If you’re noticing inflamed red bumps on your skin or underneath your pet’s fur, you likely need professional pest control services to fully eradicate your flea problem.
- Increased pet scratching: If it seems like your pet is constantly scratching itself, it might be a sign that you’ve got fleas in your home. Both cat and dog fur are thick enough to transport flea eggs and larvae, meaning that your pet can easily turn an outside problem into an indoor infestation. If you think your flea problem might have been caused by cat or dog fleas, check your pet bedding and your pet’s skin for signs of flea bites or dead bodies.
An easy way to test for a severe flea infestation is to employ the “white sock test.” To start the test, put on a clean pair of white socks and walk throughout your entire home. After you’ve covered the whole house (including attics and basements), remove your socks and check the bottom of the feet. If you notice a few fleas stuck to the bottom of your feet, your flea infestation likely requires a professional exterminator.
If you only see a few minor signs of flea activity, you might want to try out a few DIY flea treatment options before calling in the professionals. Some of the most popular DIY flea removal methods include the following.
- Vacuuming: The first step to any flea removal process is vacuuming. Contrary to popular belief, vacuuming does not solve a flea infestation. However, it will act as a great first step to getting rid of fleas on the surface level of your home. Be sure to empty your vacuum cleaner outside of your home to prevent re-infestation.
- Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that is harmless to humans but deadly to fleas. This treatment method works at multiple stages in the flea life cycle by dehydrating the insects, causing them to die. Regularly sprinkling diatomaceous earth in areas where you notice flea activity and vacuuming it up can be an effective home remedy for flea control.
- Flea foggers: If you have a moderate flea infestation, you may want to try flea bombs and foggers. Flea foggers are packed with strong insecticides designed to provide complete flea removal. Depending on the type of pesticides used in the fogger, you may need to leave your home while the treatment takes effect.
Have you attempted multiple DIY solutions with no success? It’s likely time to call in a professional flea extermination service.
What Is The Average Cost of a Flea Exterminator?
The national average flea exterminator cost is $270. Homeowners can usually expect to pay between $200 and $450 for a visit for a professional exterminator when calling for a flea fix. Flea exterminator prices may vary depending on the types of fleas in your home, any follow-up appointments that are needed, and the treatment options that will be effective at treating your level of infestation.
If you’re only concerned about dog or cat fleas pestering your furry friend, your average cost will be much lower than if you need full-home fumigation. Over the counter flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs will cost about $30 to $50 from your local veterinarian. However, you should be sure that your pet’s fleas have not spread throughout your home during treatment. If you’re not sure, you may want to pursue an initial treatment to give you peace of mind regardless.
What Are Factors That Affect The Cost of Flea Exterminators?
There are a multitude of factors that influence the cost that you’ll pay for your flea extermination services. While fleas are less expensive pests to eliminate when compared to termites or rodents, they can still be a costly problem to fix if you require a more intensive heat treatment or if you require multiple follow-up treatments in order to fully eradicate your flea problem. The following are a few of the most common factors that go into calculating the cost of your flea extermination service.
Severity of Infestation
The severity of your infestation plays a major role in the price you’ll pay for flea treatment because it determines which methods will be effective at restoring your home. If you only have a few errant fleas brought into your home by a pet, you might be able to nip the problem in the bud with the use of an over the counter aerosol flea spray. This will cost only a few dollars and require just a trip to your local grocery market or drugstore.
If you’ve allowed your flea population to lay eggs and reproduce in your home, you’ll require a full property treatment. Your exterminator might use multiple chemicals or treatments to make sure fleas in all of the crevices and crannies of your property are dead. In the most extreme cases, your pest control service provider may recommend fumigation, which is the most expensive form of flea treatment. Thankfully, few flea problems are severe enough that they require fumigation intervention.
The easiest way to lower the cost of your flea treatment is to catch the problem as soon as possible. If you have children or pets, remain on the lookout for fleas throughout the year so you can catch any potential infestation early.
Location of the Infestation
The location of your flea infestation also plays a role in the best treatment method and the price you pay. If you have a small, localized infestation (for example, in a pet’s house or only in the downstairs living room of your home) pest control companies can use less intensive treatment methods, which are better for the environment and your wallet. However, if you have a whole home infestation, your exterminators will likely need to use pesticides or a home heat treatment to make sure that all fleas, larvae, and eggs have been eliminated. The more areas of your home that have fleas in them, the more you’ll pay for service.
Time of Year
The time of year when you call for pest control services also plays a role in your pricing due to the flea’s life cycle. During the fall and winter months, fleas are largely dormant, laying eggs that will hatch when the weather warms up. This is the time when fleas are the easiest to get rid of because they have less ability to spread.
Flea eggs hatch during the warm, humid months. This is the time when fleas can easily spread throughout your home and when you’re most likely to need a flea extermination appointment. If you call for service during the spring or summer, expect to pay a higher rate for your pest control services.
Extermination Method Used
Extermination professionals use a variety of elimination methods to get rid of fleas—and some treatments are more expensive than others. Some examples of common flea treatments professionals might recommend include the following.
- Vacuuming: Professional exterminators use highly powered vacuums and light treatments for less severe infestations. This treatment method is effective in clearing out flea eggs but will not be able to solve a total home flea infestation.
- Spraying: For more severe infestations, flea exterminators will use an in-home and exterior spray to kill off fleas at multiple stages in the pests’ lifecycle. Spaying for fleas takes between four and six hours, as your professional will need to apply treatments around your property as well as your home.
- Fumigation: If you have a severe flea problem, your pest professionals may recommend fumigation. During fumigation, you and your family will need to temporarily leave your property as your team applies harsh chemicals in a series of follow-up visits to completely eradicate fleas. While rare, fumigation is the most expensive method of flea removal, as well as the most comprehensive.
If you catch your flea problem early, you’ll have more options for treatment. This also lowers the price you’ll pay to enjoy a safe, clean home again.
DIY vs Professional Flea Extermination
While DIY treatments can be effective for small flea problems, major flea infestations require the services and expertise of a professional exterminator. Pest control companies like Orkin offer affordable pricing and comprehensive services across the country — and they can provide you with a multitude of options to correct your unique flea problem. If you aren’t sure how bad your flea problem in your home is, don’t hesitate to call for a pest inspection.
Any of the companies below offer extermination services for fleas. Contact them for a free quote:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth getting an exterminator for fleas?
Yes, it is worth it getting an exterminator for fleas. Fleas can cause a variety of serious health problems, and their bites can hurt children and pets alike. If you think you have fleas in your home, call an exterminator as soon as possible.
How long does it take an exterminator to get rid of fleas?
It usually takes an exterminator between seven and ten days to get rid of fleas. This is because some flea treatments take longer to set in and take effect than others. Some treatments must also be re-applied multiple times throughout the flea life cycle, which adds time to your treatment.
How many days do fleas live?
An adult flea may live for a maximum of 100 days. However, without a reliable source of food from a host, most fleas will die within one to two months.
How long do you have to be out of your house when you use a flea bomb?
Flea bombs use harsh chemicals that are not safe for humans or pets. You must vacate your home for between two to four hours according to the instructions on the label. After you’re finished bombing your home, be sure to leave doors and windows open for at least 30 minutes to air out any last traces of chemicals.
