How Much Does a Bedbug Exterminator Cost?

By Alex Hawkins Updated August 20, 2024

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Bedbug treatment costs on average $300–$500 per room. Bedbugs can severely disrupt your day-to-day life. Though there are some do-it-yourself (DIY) methods you can try, the fastest way to eliminate them is by hiring a professional pest control service. 

We’ve researched the best pest control companies in the United States and evaluated their bedbug treatment options. This guide explains the average bedbug extermination cost and provides recommendations for extermination services.

Bedbug Exterminator Cost

Bedbug treatment costs $300–$5,000* on average. You may also need to pay for a $100 to $150 inspection to determine your infestation level. Bedbug inspections help the technician  figure out the best treatment course.

*This cost figure is based on 2021 averages from various sources.

Cost Factors of Bedbug Extermination

Various factors determine the overall cost of bedbug treatment. We’ve listed the most significant ones below.

Cost per Treatment

Most pest control companies charge per square foot of treatment area. The type of treatment you receive depends on the bedbugs’ location and infestation level. Here are the most common bedbug treatments and their cost per square foot

Cost per Treatment Frequency

Your home may require multiple visits to eliminate bedbugs. Pest control companies charge a flat rate for monthly, semi-monthly, and quarterly treatments. More frequent treatments cost more annually but often have a discounted rate. 

Cost per Room

A bedbug technician will also charge based on the number of infested rooms.


 

Signs of Bedbug Infestation

Try to determine how severe your bedbug infestation is before you call a pro. Keep in mind that having bedbugs doesn’t mean your home is dirty. Bedbugs can enter any home via luggage and other personal travel items. They can also reach your home from nearby units if you live in an apartment or condo. 

Look out for these common signs of bedbug infestation


 

Professional Bedbug Extermination vs. DIY Bedbug Extermination

You may be able to handle the problem yourself if you think you only have a few bedbugs. Vacuum your bedding and the surrounding area, including cracks and crevices, and wash and dry your bedding on high heat.

These methods won’t work for more severe infestations, as proper bedbug removal requires a professional pest management service. An exterminator has extensive knowledge and can put together a detailed treatment plan. Professionals also provide bedbug inspections and additional treatment applications to ensure your home stays bedbug-free.


 

Our Recommendation

We recommend hiring a professional exterminator for bedbug treatment. This gives you more access to treatment options and ensures your infestation will be eliminated. A pro can also help you take steps to prevent future infestations. 

Below, we’ve provided our top recommendations for professional pest control companies with bedbug treatment.

Terminix

Terminix offers a general pest control plan with an initial inspection and treatment, quarterly visits, and a free reservice guarantee if pests return between treatments.

The company also provides a one-time pest control service with comprehensive interior and exterior inspection and treatment, plus a 30-day reservice guarantee. You can get specialized treatments for bedbugs, mosquitoes, ticks, and wildlife.

Rating:
Best Termite Removal Plans

Orkin

Orkin’s general pest control plan provides preventative and targeted treatments for common household pests such as rodents, ants, beetles, and cockroaches. By secret-shopping the company, we learned that this plan typically includes bi-monthly visits and a thorough initial visit and treatment. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and free reservice.

Orkin’s termite control comes with follow-up service and the Orkin Guarantee, offering free return visits and refunds up to 30 days after your treatment.


Bedbug Exterminator Cost FAQ

How long does it take to get rid of bedbugs with an exterminator?

Getting rid of bedbugs with an exterminator may take two to four treatments over three to six weeks. The time frame depends on your infestation level and home size.

Can I sleep in my bed after bedbug treatment?

Yes, you can sleep in your bed after bedbug treatment. Encasements, such as mattress covers, should be put on mattresses and box springs. Any surviving bedbugs in the mattress or box spring will not be able to escape the encasement to bite you.

Do bedbugs live in the carpet?

Bedbugs can live in your carpet but typically stay close to the surface. This makes it easier to vacuum them up. 


 

How We Chose the Top Pest Control Companies

Our pest control research process starts with analyzing customer reviews on third-party websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. We then do a deep dive into each company’s website, service plans, and available cost information. We also secret shop the companies we review, reach out to representatives, and request quotes.

From there, we compile the information we’ve gathered and compare each company using our in-depth pest control methodology and review criteria. This process uses a series of factors that are important to our readers, and we score each company depending on how well they perform in each factor. For instance, companies that offer more guarantees for their service earned more points than others, and pest control plans with a larger range of covered pests earned more points than ones with fewer.

After analyzing dozens of residential and commercial pest control businesses through this process, we were able to determine the best pest control companies on the market.