How Much Does a Roach Exterminator Cost?

Cockroach Extermination Cost Factors

When calculating extermination costs, professional cockroach exterminators take these three factors into account. 

House Size

The size of your home will determine how much a cockroach extermination costs, with a larger home costing more due to the increase in time and materials required. Homes that range from 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet cost $100 to $500 on average. Homes with square footage between 2,000 and 3,000 can cost between $200 to $650. For homes larger than 3,000 square feet, homeowners can expect to pay between $400 to $900.

Infestation Level

The severity of your cockroach infestation plays a large role in the cost and varies based on the home’s size. Minor infestations cost between $100 to $400 while major infestations typically cost $300 to $700. If your home has a severe infestation that requires multiple exterminator visits, you can expect to pay $2,500 to $7,000.

Number of Visits

In most cases, a typical cockroach infestation requires between 1 to 3 treatments. The severity of the infestation will determine the number of visits required to eliminate the pests. In more severe cases, such as those that require fumigation or house tenting, the process can take 2 to 7 days. For continued prevention, many exterminators have yearly treatment plans available for an additional monthly or quarterly cost.

Average Cost to Exterminate Roaches by Treatment

A single roach extermination treatment runs between $100 and $600. For more extensive solutions such as fumigation or house tenting, you could pay upwards of $8,000. The type of treatment you receive will determine your cost.

Fumigation

Most people associate fumigation with treating termites, but fumigation is also effective in eliminating cockroaches. Fumigation can cost $1 to $4 per square foot. For a 2,000-square-foot home, you could pay between $2,000 to $8,000. 

With fumigation, exterminators fill an entire house with gaseous pesticides that target these invasive insects. People must evacuate their homes for 2 to 7 days to avoid exposure to these pesticides.

Tenting a House

Tenting a house is part of a fumigation treatment and has similar costs. Depending on the size of your home, you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $7,500 for this service.

House tenting includes wrapping a plastic bubble around your house before pumping it with gas. Some professional pest control specialists might charge tenting separately from fumigation, but most include the two treatments together. Tenting requires you to vacate your home for 3 days.

Spray

Spray treatments are a less costly option and work well if you don’t have a severe cockroach infestation. Hiring a professional to spray your home’s exterior usually costs $50 to $100 for a single treatment. 

Sprays work best for cockroach prevention and act as a barrier and deterrent for roaches. Most professional exterminators will use a combination of spraying and setting up bait or traps.

Traps and Baits

Exterminators set up glue traps and gel baits around your home to eliminate a small infestation of cockroaches. Glue traps and baits can cost between $100 to $600. The process can take a few weeks but is an effective solution. 

Glue traps help you and your exterminator determine the location of an active roach nest. These areas are where your exterminator will set up gel baits, the roaches consume them and take them back to their nest, and then other roaches eat the bait and perish.

Orkin vs. Terminix Prices for Roaches

A single roach treatment from Orkin could run from $100 to $400. However, you’ll likely have to pay a contract or a yearly plan, which is the case with Terminix. Terminix charges between $400 to $1,100 per year on average.

DIY Roach Control Cost vs. Professional Cockroach Extermination

Cockroaches are notoriously hard to eliminate, so it nearly always requires hiring a professional exterminator to control the problem. Cockroaches also tend to nest together. If you see one roach, there’s a good chance you’ll see more.

While buying pesticides on your own likely costs between $50 and $200, it’s safer and more effective to hire an exterminator. They have professional-grade products that target an infestation, unlike store-bought ones that only eliminate one roach at a time or delay the problem.

FAQs

What’s the cheapest pest control for roaches?

The cheapest pest control for roaches is to buy pesticides from a home department store, which cost as low as $50 and as high as $200. Prices vary depending on the insecticide and how frequently you need to purchase it.

If you spend money on store-bought pesticides, keep in mind that they likely won’t treat the infestation at its source. You could save money by working with an exterminator from the start.

What is the best way to exterminate cockroaches?

Hiring an exterminator is always the best option for treating roaches. It’s the safest and most effective method. Working with harsh chemicals and insecticides carries many health risks, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

How do exterminators get rid of roaches?

For most mild to medium infestations, exterminators will do the following:

• Inspect the infestation area

• Spray with chemicals

• Set up insect baits and traps

• Come back and repeat if the problem persists

For severe infestations, exterminators will tent and fumigate. Regardless of the severity of your situation, they will also give you advice on pest preventative measures, such as fixing weak points in your house or spraying throughout the year.

How long does cockroach extermination take?

A single service treatment for an active infestation takes about 1 to 2 hours. The treatment could take up to 2 to 3 weeks to completely eliminate the cockroach nest. Exterminators may recommend follow-up treatments depending on the extent of the infestation.