Bedbug Exterminator Cost (2022 Guide)

Bedbugs are one of the hardest pests to exterminate. They're difficult to kill and spread quickly throughout your home. Luckily, they're not deadly, but bedbugs cause various other problems such as allergic reactions and skin rashes. 

While researching the best pest control companies in the United States, we at the Home Media reviews team analyzed top providers' bedbug treatment options and pricing. This guide breaks down average bedbug extermination costs and recommends top pest control services.

Do You Have a Bedbug Infestation?

Ensure you're dealing with bedbugs rather than fleas before calling an exterminator. Keep in mind that having bedbugs doesn't mean your home is dirty. Bedbugs can enter any home by infesting your luggage, purses, backpacks or other personal travel items. If you live in a multi-unit building such as an apartment or condo, bedbugs may get into your home from nearby units. 

Live bedbugs are challenging to spot because they're so small — no larger than an apple seed. So look out for these other common signs of bedbugs:

A musty odor similar to the smell of rotten fruit
Bedbug bites, which look like tiny red bumps across your skin
Black or brown spots along your bed frame
Blood stains on sheets and pillowcases
Small, eggshell-colored skins around your bed

How Much Does Bedbug Extermination Cost?

Bedbug extermination costs $534 to $4,167* on average. Bedbug treatment is one of the more expensive pest control services because these hardy pests can live without food for up to 400 days. 

We recommend scheduling an inspection after an initial bedbug treatment. Though an inspection costs an additional $100 to $150, it may detect more bedbugs and indicate that you need more treatment. 

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

Factors That Influence Bedbug Extermination Cost

These are the most common factors affecting bedbug extermination costs.

Cost per Room

The number of infected rooms dramatically increases the cost of bedbug removal. The fewer rooms that need treatment, the lower the bill.

Treatment Costs

There are various ways a professional bedbug exterminator can treat your home. An exterminator will select the proper treatment based on your budget and infestation level.

Here are the standard treatment methods for bedbug extermination: 

Chemicals: Chemical treatment involves introducing different chemical agents throughout your home. A pest control expert will typically place three kinds of chemicals. The first is a contact insecticide to exterminate bedbugs in easy-to-reach areas. The second is a residual chemical to kill bedbugs on an ongoing basis. The final treatment is an insecticidal dust to protect cracks around infested rooms. Note that this option relies on bedbugs being in easy-to-reach locations. 
Heat: A pest control technician uses special equipment to raise the temperature in your home to kill bedbugs. Bedbug eggs die within 90 minutes at 118 degrees Fahrenheit, and all bedbugs die immediately at 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Steam: Like heat treatment, steam treatment heats the infested areas and kills bedbugs on contact via extreme heat levels.
Freeze: This option uses the extreme cooling properties of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2). Equipment transforms liquid CO2 into dry ice snow particles that freeze bedbugs to death.
Fumigation: Perhaps the most well-known bedbug treatment, fumigation is an intensive process. It is often used for large infestations, as it involves tarping your entire home and releasing fumigant gas inside. The gas permeates every inch of your house, including the inside of your walls and under floors.

Below is a breakdown of the average cost of each type of treatment per square foot.

Frequency of Treatments

Multiple visits are sometimes required to eliminate bedbugs. Companies often charge a flat rate for monthly, semi-monthly or quarterly treatments. More frequent treatments cost more annually but often have a discount per visit.

Here are the average costs for different frequencies of bedbug treatment.

DIY Bedbug Extermination vs. Professional Bedbug Extermination

Homeowners may be able to cut costs by doing bedbug extermination themselves, but there are times when a professional is needed. Below is a breakdown of each circumstance.

DIY Bedbug Removal

Few do-it-yourself (DIY) bedbug removal remedies work effectively. If you think you only have a few bedbugs, you can vacuum your bed linens, mattress, box spring, bed frame and every nearby baseboard and crevice. You should also wash and dry your bedding on high heat. This will kill bedbugs living on the material. 

DIY bedbug extermination kits are available for $50 to $200. These kits often use a pesticide. You can also purchase a steamer for $30 to $400 to do a steam treatment.

These DIY methods won't eliminate severe infestations.

Professional Bedbug Removal

Hiring a professional bedbug exterminator grants you access to comprehensive treatment options and expansive knowledge. A pro inspects your home and provides a detailed treatment plan. Professionals also provide follow-up bedbug inspections and additional treatment applications depending on your budget and the severity of the infestation.

Professional bedbug removal is completed by licensed and insured technicians who offer pet-friendly and child-safe treatments. It costs $534 to $4,167, depending on the type of treatment.

The Bottom Line: Should You Get Professional Bedbug Extermination?

It's best to call the pros for bedbug extermination. Bedbugs are tough to eliminate, and a professional pest control company provides the most effective treatment options. Though bedbug treatment isn't cheap, it ensures the problem is eliminated and prevents future infestations.

Below are our top recommendations for pest control providers with bedbug treatment plans.

Orkin

Pricing: $550–$860 annually
State availability: 47 (excludes Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming)

Orkin has been in business since 1901. The company offers general pest control plans tailored to your local climate and treats seasonal pests such as ants, cockroaches, crickets, termites and wildlife. Orkin also offers same-day service, a 24/7 customer service line and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get your quote: Fill out Orkin's online form or call 877-868-1416.

With more than 95 years of pest control experience, Terminix provides comprehensive annual plans with four visits per year. All treatments have guaranteed reservice if pests return. Terminix's general plan covers many common household pests. There are add-on or one-off treatments available for attic insulation, bedbugs, crawl spaces, mosquitoes, intensive rodent control, termites, ticks, wasps and wildlife. 

Get your quote: Fill out Terminix's online form or call 866-569-4035.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bedbug Exterminator Cost

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Pest Control Companies

The Home Media reviews team aims to provide objective reviews by compiling relevant information and rating pest control companies on factors that matter most to consumers.

To guide our recommendations, we crafted a rating system on a 100-point scale based on the following factors. We then divided the points earned for each provider's final score on a 5-point scale.

Plan options (35 points): We awarded companies with full points if they offered general pest control, termite treatment, bedbug removal and mosquito treatment.
Customer service (25 points): We awarded full points to companies that offered 24/7 customer service and provided multiple forms of communication, such as online and phone quotes and online chat options. We gave fewer points to companies with limited service hours and communication channels.
Guarantees (10 points): Pest control companies that provide satisfaction and money-back guarantees to their customers received more points than companies that didn't offer guarantees, as this indicates a high level of concern for customer experience.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating (5 points): BBB ratings are based on publicly available information that the BBB obtains from a company and the number of complaints received from the public. We gave more points to companies with high BBB ratings than companies with low BBB ratings.
Years in business (5 points): Established companies with decades of experience received points for their expertise and widespread state availability.
Pricing (20 points): We awarded higher points to companies whose general plans fell under $50 per month, based on our secret-shopping process for homes around the country. Additionally, we awarded points to providers with flexible payment options, such as monthly, quarterly or annual payments. Companies also received credit for discounted initial treatments, as these first visits can often be more expensive than subsequent treatments.

After examining each provider's website, we spoke with representatives from each company to get more insight on coverage, treatments and pricing. To get a sense of customer satisfaction, we read hundreds of third-party customer reviews across multiple sites to determine the most common concerns, benefits and additional feedback. We also surveyed 1,000 consumers who had hired pest control companies to better understand their experiences and the services that are most important to them.

Through our secret-shopping process, we gathered cost information for various treatment types and payment options, simulating a real customer experience. Finally, we considered the company's money-back and reservicing guarantees for reliability.

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