When you need pest control sometimes it’s hard to establish from websites alone how much pest control may cost – it’s rare to find up front costs readily available and it seems to be a case of internet searches and ringing around a few companies asking for quotes.
From experience we know that costs can vary massively so it is worth spending a few minutes checking prices. We quoted for a flea control program recently at £120 plus VAT and the client had just been quoted £1,000 for exactly the same job. Another had been quoted £360 plus VAT for the same flea pest control by a large nationwide organisation, so it is worth shopping around.
Most companies may be reluctant to publish pest control prices as there are various factors to consider such as your location, type of pest, method of control needed and size of infestation. To give you an idea we’ve published our pest control prices below – but as mentioned, different companies’ pest control costs can vary massively so this is just a guide and might help if you’re looking to compare pest control costs.
All prices listed are PLUS VAT.
Rats – Mice – Squirrels (2X visit program) £150.00
Wasps – Hornets £70.00
Bees 2X visits with proofing £150.00
Bees 1X visit rehoming £85.00
Cockroaches X3 visits £210.00
Cockroaches X2 visits £140.00
Fleas – Carpet Moths – Carpet Beetles
1X bed property £90.00
2 – 3X bed property £120.00
4X bed property £150.00
5+ bed property £175.00
Ants -Flies -Cluster Flies – Other insects £85.00
Bed Bugs per room £90.00
Call Out Only £55.00
Additional Pest Control Costs
Usually control programs are completed in the anticipated number of visits but sometimes additional visits are required, as nothing can ever be 100% guaranteed with pest management. We offer additional visits at either 50% of original cost or free of charge depending on the situation – again other companies may differ. Some have a high initial cost, but one re-treatment is free of charge. In this scenario if you do need extra visits you’re paying for them ‘up front’ so to speak. If you don’t need extra visits then you may lose out.
After some pest control services, it’s wise to infest in proofing afterwards. This means that the access routes the pests were using into your home or garden are permanently sealed if possible. This is well worth it for squirrels, rats, mice and also for wasps if they’re nesting in a wall for example. It’s a legal requirement if you need to have bees treated as this prevents a new queen bringing her swarm and taking up residence in the same place.
If you find yourself with repeated infestations, particularly rats or mice, there are pest control contracts available which mean a pest control technician will visit your property regularly and any pest control actions needed during contract are fully covered financially.
Replacing affected furnishings can also be a financial implication of pest control – carpet moths and beetles for example will eat anything made from natural fibres which can result in whole carpets needing replacement.
How Long Does Pest Control Take?
Most pest control jobs average about 30 minutes to an hour for a survey and appropriate treatment to be carried out. Some pest control services are carried out over a series of visits, such as rodent pest control which involves an initial survey followed by a control program which starts the same day. Second visits are normally essential and third or even fourth visits can be required if it’s a severe infestation.
Insect pest control such as bed bugs, fleas, carpet moths and carpet beetles involve a single visit however you can’t stay in the house during treatment or for up to 6 hours after the treatment. There’s generally a ‘no hoovering’ policy for minimum of 21 days after treatment also. This means the product remains long enough to break the life cycle of the insects and so end the infestation.
Treating Pest Infestations Yourself
Getting rid of pests yourself often seems cheaper initially, and it’s a great idea if it works. The only problem can be that you may find yourself spending more and more on DIY pest control products only to find that you end up employing the services of a pest control company in the end any way.
Reputable pest controllers are trained, insured, regulated and licensed meaning that they use licensed products which can’t be bought over the counter. Generally this means that the products they use are much more effective. It can save a lot of work, stress, time and money to engage the services of a good pest control company from the start.
