Professional bed bug treatment costs between $917 and $1,917 on average. Total cost depends on several factors, such as your home’s size, treatment type, number of visits, and infestation severity.
Treating a single room for bed bugs averages between $333 and $850. But treating a 1,500-square-foot home with fumigation could cost as much as $6,000, or between $1 and $4 per square foot.
Once you notice any telltale signs of bed bugs – such as small brown stains on your linen or clusters of bites – contact a professional exterminator immediately. Delays can increase the cost. If you are not sure whether you have bed bugs, here are some guides to help you track them down:
Cost Estimator by Size of Infested Area
How many rooms do you need to treat for bed bugs? Treating a single room averages between $333 and $850. But if the infestation has spread to more rooms, your costs will rise.
Bigger invasions could necessitate total fumigation of the whole house, skyrocketing costs into the thousands. Fumigation ranges between $1 and $4 per square foot, so fumigating a 1,500-square-foot home could cost anywhere between $1,500 to $6,000.
See below how infestation size can affect cost:
| Treated Area | Typical Cost Range Per Visit |
| 1 Bedroom | $333 to $850 |
| 2 to 3 Bedrooms | $533 to $1,200 |
| 3 to 4 Bedrooms | $1,000 to $2,200 |
| Whole House Treatment (Fumigation) | $1 to $4 per square foot |
Bed Bug Exterminator Cost by Treatment Type
The type of treatment will significantly affect how much you pay. Some treatments are more expensive than others and/or require more follow-up visits.
| Treatment | Typical Cost Range |
| Heat Treatment | $1 to $3 per square foot |
| Fumigation | $1 to $4 per square foot |
| Chemicals and Pesticides | $183 to $500 per room |
| Steam Removal | $250 to $1,000 per room |
| Freeze Treatment | $500 per room |
Heat Treatment
✓ Heat treatments usually cost $1 to $3 per square foot, with a 1,500-square-foot home costing around $1,500 to $4,500 in total.
✓ Heat treatment is a chemical-free process in which hot air is pumped into the infested space to raise the temperature to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
✗ This type of treatment is the best method for quickly resolving heavy bed bug infestations in small, cluttered conditions, such as hotels, dormitories, or apartments.
✗ Because bed bugs can’t tolerate heat, this method is highly effective at killing them.
- Heat treatment kills bed bugs at every stage of life, including eggs, in a single treatment;
- Exterminators often will use their generators so as not to run up your electricity bill.
- This treatment does not prevent reinfestation.
- You’ll need to remove items with a low heat tolerance before treatment such as electronics, plastics, and artwork.
Fumigation
Fumigation costs typically start around $1 to $4 per square foot, or $1,500 to $6,000 total for a 1,500-square-foot house.
For fumigation, exterminators will seal off your home and fill it with fumigation gas to kill the bed bugs.
Fumigation is usually done in a single treatment visit that lasts 18 to 48 hours, depending on the size of the structure and severity of the infestation.
Remember, you’ll need to vacate your home for a few days to avoid chemical poisoning and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, you should also consider additional expenses, such as alternative accommodation during your home’s fumigation period.
✓ Fumigation kills bed bugs at every stage of life.
✓ It can treat entire buildings at once.
✓ It also requires less preparation and moving of belongings compared to heat treatment.
✓ It is a good option for severe, widespread infestation in homes or commercial facilities.
✓ It is effective at killing other critters in the house.
✓ It can reach bed bugs hiding in cracks and crevices.
✗ It does not prevent reinfestation.
Chemicals and Pesticides
Paying for the use of chemicals and pesticides to rid your home of bed bugs will cost roughly $183 to $500 per room.
This treatment involves spraying bed bug-killing chemicals and pesticides throughout your home.
- ✓ Certain types, like desiccant dusts, provide long lasting protection against re-infestation.
- ✗ Chemical treatments and pesticides are not reliable on their own and are typically combined with another treatment methods like heat and steam.
✗ Some bed bugs have developed some resistance to pesticides.
Steam Removal
For steam removal of bed bugs, homeowners typically pay $250 to $1,000 per room.
During a steam removal treatment, exterminators use hot steam that is over 200 degrees F to kill bed bugs on contact.
Steam can be a good additional method for spot treatment. It’s important to remember, though, that steam needs to touch the bugs directly to eliminate them. This makes it a lengthy and hard job if you’re dealing with large spaces.
✓ Steam kills bed bugs and eggs on contact quickly.
✓ Steam removal is a chemical-free treatment.
✓ It can penetrate soft materials, such as mattresses and furniture.
✗ Professional pest control services often use steam alongside insecticides, vacuuming, and traps for a comprehensive treatment process.
✗ It has limitations in terms of penetrating deep into cracks and crevices.
✗ Steam cleaning for bed bugs often requires follow-up treatments, each lasting a minimum of 2 hours.
✗ It does not prevent reinfestation.
✗ It may cause moisture damage.
Freeze Treatment
Homeowners usually spend $500 per room for freeze treatment to get rid of bed bugs. Freeze treatment converts liquid carbon dioxide to a dry-ice “snow” that’s then pumped into the infested area for an immediate knockdown of visible bed bugs.
Freeze treatments work on contact, so the “snow” needs to directly hit the bed bugs to kill them. This makes it difficult to reach bed bugs deep within furniture or mattresses.
✓ Freeze treatment kills bed bugs at every stage of life.
✓ It is a great alternative to steam vapor because it does not cause any moisture damage.
✓ Freeze treatment is chemical-free.
✓ It is safer for surfaces that cannot tolerate high heat but may not penetrate soft surfaces as effectively as other treatments.
✗ It does not prevent reinfestation.
*Note: For severe infestations inside beds and upholstered furniture, heat treatment is considered more effective
Inspection Rates
Before starting any treatment, a reliable pest control professional will perform an inspection to confirm if the infestation is indeed from bed bugs and determine its extent.
Fees for this service are usually between $65 and $192, though many pest control companies will offer the initial inspection for free.
Some bed bug treatment companies may even offer dog sniffing inspections. Well-trained dogs can detect bed bugs with 95% accuracy, even if the infestation is mild. Prices typically range from $300 to $600 for a bed bug sniffing dog inspection.
Cost of Bed Bug Treatment by Location
Where you live can have a significant impact on your total bed bug treatment costs. Places with many apartment buildings, like New York or Atlanta, often have a higher number of bed bugs due to quick spreading.
Also, living in areas with a high cost of living may mean paying more for extermination services. The demand and living costs play a key role in setting the price for such treatments.
Here are some examples of average extermination costs for a one-time treatment by location:
| Location | Average Cost (One-Time Bed Bug Treatment) |
| Indianapolis, IN | $300 – $700 |
| Atlanta, GA | $350 – $750 |
| Columbus, OH | $350 – $750 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $350 – $850 |
| Frankfort, KY | $350 – $900 |
| Charleston, WV | $400 – $600 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $400 – $700 |
| Houston, TX | $400 – $750 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $450 – $650 |
| New York City, NY | $500 – $900 |
| Chicago, IL | $500 – $1,100 |
Cost of Bed Bug Treatment by Visit Number
Some companies provide ongoing services for severe infestations or preventive measures, which could result in monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly visits. Here are some average costs of ongoing bed bug treatments:
| Frequency | Average Cost |
| One Visual Inspection | $65 – $192 |
| One Time (Inspection and Treatment) | $900 – $1,300 |
| Quarterly (Inspection and Treatment) | $1,600 – $2,500 |
| Monthly (Inspection and Treatment) | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Semi-monthly (Inspection and Treatment) | $5,500–$8,250 |
Bed bugs are some of the most difficult pests to exterminate. They can go a long time without feeding, and they reproduce quickly. Therefore, extermination professionals usually recommend at least a minimum of two visits to effectively treat the infestation, which is typically included in the quoted price.
- The initial visit brainstorms a treatment plan, gets your space ready, and perhaps starts the initial treatment.
- The second visit (usually one or two weeks later) allows the professionals to assess how effective the first round of treatments was and perform additional targeted treatments.
- Subsequent follow-ups will continue to address persistent bed bug populations until the infestation is fully under control.
- Once all bed bug treatments are done and no new signs are found, your company will mark it as ‘controlled.’ They’ll then share the service report with you.
Cost of DIY Bed Bug Removal
To successfully terminate a bed bug infestation, you almost always need a professional. Professionals have the training to locate and identify bed bugs and have the necessary equipment to exterminate an entire infestation with nearly 100% effectiveness.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) bed bug treatment is an option but not recommended. Here are some DIY methods and their estimated costs:
| Method | Average Cost | Details |
| DIY Bed Bug Treatment Kit | $25 – $90 | Include pesticides and traps to handle small infestations |
| Bed Bug Mattress Encasements | $50 – $120 | Special covers to prevent bugs from hiding in mattresses. |
| Average Cost of Steam Cleaners | $50 – $700 | Use heat to kill bed bugs on contact in mattresses and furniture. |
*Note: DIY bug solutions might seem like a money-saver at first, but they often fall short. Not only can they be dangerous if used wrong, but the critters may continue to multiply. It’s wiser to call in the pros early on.
Pro Tips:
- The best way to tackle bed bugs and save on treatment costs is to practice prevention techniques. Keep your house bug-free by applying the best preventive methods yourself, such as regular cleaning, using mattress protectors, and conducting routine inspections. Here is our guide on How to Prevent Bed Bugs (11 Ways)
Extra Services
Additional costs for attending to other pests in your home might arise during bed bug treatment. It’s not uncommon for pest control professionals to discover that bed bugs are not the only intruders in your home.
So, if you stumble upon a different pest issue while tackling bed bugs, take a look at our guide on How Much Does an Exterminator Cost? to get an idea about the potential charges of each pest removal treatment.
Some common household pests and the average costs for their professional removal include:
- Termite Control Cost: The typical price for termite treatment runs from $275 to $863, with most homeowners paying $558.
- Ant Control Cost: Expect to pay $115 to $350 for ant treatment.
- Cockroach Control Cost: It typically costs about $115 to $350, with most homeowners paying $180.
- Mouse and Rat Control Cost: Expect to pay $245 to $430 for a full-service extermination procedure that includes traps, bait, sealing entry points, and a follow-up visit.
FAQ About Bed Bugs
1. How do I prepare my home for bed bug treatment?
There are different ways to prepare for various bed bug treatments. Your exterminator will provide a list of required preparations for the chosen treatment. You may be asked to:
- Push furniture away from walls so the technician can treat the baseboards.
- Remove furniture that needs to be protected from heat.
- Vacuum floors to remove any dead bed bugs.
- Box up clutter so your technician has better access to the infested area.
- Empty drawers and closets to protect your clothes and grant better access to any infested areas.
- Wash your clothing and bed sheets in hot water. You’ll need to store these items away before you put them back after treatment. How long you’ll need to wait to put them back will vary depending on the treatment method.
2. How do bed bugs get into the house?
Bed bugs are excellent hitch-hikers. They hitch rides on your clothes or luggage without you even noticing. Visited a friend with bed bugs? You might just bring one home unknowingly. If that bed bug is pregnant, an infestation may occur in your home.
Love thrift shopping? Wash your clothes before throwing them straight into your wardrobe or onto your bed – the same goes for flea market gems, too.
3. Do bed bugs pose health concerns?
When it comes to disease spreading, bed bugs aren’t the culprits you need to worry about. However, some people may experience an allergic reaction to bed bug bites that leads to hives, itching, or blisters. If you have an allergic reaction to bed bugs, contact your doctor.
The main concern around bed bugs is the anxiety and stress they cause many homeowners. These pests are difficult to get rid of, and no one likes going to bed at night, knowing small bugs are waiting to suck their blood.
Call In the Bed Bug Pros
When bed bugs infest your home, skip the DIY treatments and call a local pest control professional. Hiring a qualified exterminator is the best way to send these stubborn pests packing.
Remember, the best thing you can do for your wallet is practice prevention techniques to minimize your chances of bringing bed bugs into your home.
Main Photo Credit: British Pest Control Association / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
