How Much Does an Exterminator Cost in NYC?

New York City has developed a reputation for pest problems such as a large population of rats, cockroaches, and other pest infestations. Pest control companies and bug extermination services are in high demand among the residents living within the NYC zip code. 

So how much does it cost to hire an exterminator in New York? The typical starting cost to hire an exterminator in New York ranges from $90 - $150. This price usually covers the initial assessment: finding the nest, identifying the entry points, and drafting a contract for the following visits. The overall cost will also depend on the frequency of the service, the size of the property, and the type of pest that needs addressing. 

The Cost of Hiring An Exterminator in NYC 

The national average cost of hiring an exterminator is around $170. It can range between $110 - $260 depending on the problem and go as high as $500. In NYC, the starting cost may range from $90 - $150 for the initial consultation and assessment. 

The average cost of NY pest control services is around $250. To fully get rid of an infestation, you may also be looking at a cost of over $600. Although these prices may seem exorbitant at first, the price of an unresolved pest problem is much higher. To put things into perspective: 

• Wood-boring insects such as termites and carpenter ants can cause a lot of damages on the structure of your home. These pests can cost thousands of dollars in damages, make your home unlivable, and cost you more in repairs. 
• Stinging and biting insects like bed bugs can cause mild pain when they attack, while more dangerous ones such as scorpions, black widows, and fire ants can do more harm. Even if you are able to avoid them, young children and pets may not. 
• Many household pests, insects, and rodents carry diseases and may even contaminate food. Businesses such as restaurants and fast food chains should be especially proactive against these threats. 
• Rats and mice are in the habit of chewing insulation off your electrical wiring. In fact, it is estimated that around 25% of all fires with an unknown cause were probably started by rodents gnawing on electrical wiring, gas lines, and matches. 

Factors That Affect The Cost of Pest Control

You may be asking yourself, ‘Would I save more money if I choose one time pest control over quarterly pest control?’, or ‘What is the difference between the pest control cost for bed bug extermination versus the cost of cockroach extermination?

There are many factors that affect how much pest control measures cost. The type of property, type of pest, type of service, and other considerations are part of the overall computation. 

Type of Property 

Prices for homeowners and tenants are usually lower compared to office buildings, shopping areas, apartment complexes, industrial buildings, and other large spaces. The size of your home, commercial area, or industrial space influences the cost. 

Pest control for a 3000 sq. ft. home would cost more than a 1500 sq. ft. apartment because larger homes need more protection and more products. Some exterminators may charge an extra $25 for every additional 1000 sq. ft. over 1500. 

Type of Pest 

Pest control costs depend largely on the type of treatments needed, which depend on the type of pest you have. Common pests that wreak havoc in NYC include:

• Bed bugs
• Ants
• Mice
• Rats
• Flies
• Fleas
• Beetles
• Mosquitos
• Termites
• Moths
• Squirrels
• Birds 
• Opossums 

While some pests are just pests, others cause much more damage. A bed bug infestation is notoriously tricky to resolve, even by the most experienced bug extermination team. A single bed bug can survive in your furniture, your bedding, and in the cracks of your baseboards. Their bites hurt and they’re hard to exterminate quickly, so cases like this cost more. 

Type of Services

While the type of service largely depends on what kind of infestation you have going on, it may also be a question of frequency. You may need a one-time service or multiple visits where you pay a monthly or quarterly fee. The average costs will depend on your provider’s pricing model:

One Time Insect Removal

A one time bug extermination or pest removal is usually the simplest contract available. The pest control company will visit your property, conduct an inspection, then proceed to eliminate the pests based on the appropriate treatment. Because this process takes some time, the cost estimates will be higher compared to quarterly follow up sessions. 

Monthly Pest Control

Monthly pest control is the most affordable way to exterminate pests and protect your property against them. It’s easier to dole out payments in smaller amounts and you ensure that your property is protected all year round. 

Emergency Pest Control Services

Pest control services may be needed for emergency situations such as a sudden rodent infestation at a restaurant or a raccoon invasion at home. For emergency assistance, the pricing may cost more. 

Exclusion Services

Preventive measures like exclusion services help people prevent pests from entering their homes and businesses. Exclusion services are designed to search your property for any weak spots, entrance points, or hiding places then sealing these off immediately. 

Bed Bug Removal

Bed bugs represent a unique and difficult challenge, which is why most pest control companies charge extra for treatment. A bed bug is good at hiding, hard to kill, and requires special handling to eliminate completely. Expect to pay higher costs if you have a large bed bug infestation. 

Regular Pest Control and Maintenance

Certain pests have high reproduction rates that require regular treatment and maintenance because total removal is impossible. A single female mouse, for instance, can produce 5 to 10 litters per year - which leads to one family of mice producing anywhere between 300 to 720 offspring a year. Cockroaches are similarly pesky. Because these pest types reproduce quickly, it’s unlikely that a one-time removal will do the trick. 

Others Considerations

Although these factors may not be applied to every pest removal case, the labor, equipment, and supplies that are needed to address a pest infestation may affect the prices of the pest removal or bug extermination service you require:

• Labor: Depending on the type of infestation and your specific instructions, the pest control professional will need to tailor the treatment accordingly. They may use bait, chemical sprays, kill traps, catch-and-release traps, drill-and-dust, fumigation, or heat treatment - or even a combination or techniques. 
• Supplies: Supplies such as baits, traps, pesticides, dusters, foamers, and sprayers are usually included in the overall pest control prices you are quoted for. Eco-friendly supplies usually cost more so be sure to ask your exterminator about charges for those. 
• Equipment: Some special pest removal tools and exterminator equipment may be brought in for the extermination process. Safety gear such as coveralls, goggles, gloves, and breathing masks are required.

Tips On Getting The Best Price For NYC Pest Control

DIY pest removal is rarely effective in addressing the source of the problem and preventing further infestation. In many cases, pesticides and mouse traps don’t really do the trick against all sorts of wildlife like bed bugs, fleas, ticks, wasps, and other small animals. When the pests get out of hand, you definitely need to call a pest control service.

However, hiring professional pest control specialists isn’t free. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars on bug extermination costs. It’s important to be familiar with how pest control services work and how much their treatment prices cost. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re not overpaying or underpaying for your pest control:

• Your location affects the cost: Pest control prices don’t vary greatly depending on geographic location since pest companies operate in a standard service area. If you live outside the service area, however, you may expect some additional fees to cover travel fees, additional time, and transportation costs. 
• You can shop around for quotations: Aside from looking at reviews and asking around for referrals, many pest control service providers offer free, onsite quotes for their services. You can easily consult and ask for bids from several exterminators before you make a decision. 
• Your neighbors should be informed: Pest control treatment is more effective if your neighbors are onboard as well. Cockroach, rodent, and bedbug infestations can spread from one apartment or condo to the next, so the people living near you should be on their guard too. You can even ask for a group discount if you all request for treatment. 
• Some deals are too good to be true: Unrealistic deals, special home repair or gardening packages, cheap retreatments -- these are warning signs of a not-so-scrupulous pest control company. Retreatments are usually free under a company’s service guarantee while packages and deals are ways to pressure you into buying before you do your research. 
• You should ask a lot of questions: Don’t be the kind of person who signs up for a year-long contract with an exterminator or pest control company without an in-depth discussion about your pest problems. By asking questions, you can be sure that your pest control service provider knows what needs to be done and can actually fix the issue. Ask them first how they plan to eliminate the pests; if you’re not impressed by their action plan, at least you would know this before signing the contract. 

Say Goodbye To Pests For Good With Positive Pest Management

Positive Pest Management is one of the leading pest control companies serving the New York and Lower Westchester County areas. We make sure to provide high quality pest control services for competitive prices. For 20 years we have satisfied our clients with our treatment methods and skilled workers. 

Whether you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation in your home or fighting with rodents in your office, we’re the pros that can meet your unique and specific needs. Get a quote from us today. 

Learn more: What Is the Difference Between Pest Control and Exterminator?