How Much Does Pest Control Cost? [2024]

If you have household pests, you'll want to get rid of them, fast! Not only can pests be a nuisance, but in the case of termites, they can also cause significant structural damage to your home.

The best and safest way to get rid of pests is to hire a professional pest control service. They have the expertise, training and license to carry out this sort of work. But how much does pest control cost?

Read this guide to help you identify the most common household pests in Australia and for detail on how much it could cost to get rid of them.

• How much does pest control cost?
• What are the 10 most common house pests in Australia?
• Termite control, inspection and treatment costs
• Possum removal costs
• What is green or eco pest control?
• Hiring a pest controller
• Does my pest controller need to be licensed?
• Getting quotes for pest control services
• Advice from a pest controller...

How much does pest control cost?

Hiring a pest control service costs between $35 and $65 per hour, but companies may charge a flat fee for certain services. For general pest control, expect to pay around:

• $130 for a 3 bedroom house (one-off treatment internal and external spray only)
• $170 for a 4 bedroom house (one-off treatment internal and external spray only)
• $250 for a pre-purchase pest inspection
• $250 - $300 for general indoor/exterior pest treatment
• $300 - $700 for a combined building and pest inspection
• $350 - $450 for a thorough exterior treatment, including termite protection and general pest protection (cockroaches, spiders)
• $450 - $700 for a full interior and exterior treatment

 

For specific pest problems, expect to pay:

Bee/wasp nest removal	$100 - $550
Bed bug removal	$120 - $700
Indoor flea and tick treatment	$170 - $330
Termite control (isolated area)	$180 - $250
Ant removal	$200 - $250
Possum removal	$200 - $250
Cockroach removal	$215 - $315
Rodent removal	$250 - $350
Spider removal	$280 - $550
Birds nest removal	$300 - $1000

 

The cost of hiring a pest control service depends on a number of factors, which may include:

• The area where you live
• The extent of the problem
• The type of work that has to be carried out
• How easy access is to your property

While there are variables, you should be able to roughly calculate the cost of pest control. While it might be possible to spend as little as $100 for a quick one-off treatment from a local pest control expert, prices are usually higher for a reputable service.

What are the 10 most common house pests in Australia?

Household pests come in all shapes and sizes – from diminutive bed bugs and destructive termites to furry possums and the widely reviled cockroach. Here are 10 household pests you are most likely to encounter in Australia and how much pest control costs for each.

Ants

Ants typically infest food sources, so are likely to be found in a kitchen or pantry while nesting under paving, in roofing and in walls. Pest control for ants costs around $200 to $250.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs feed on your blood as you sleep, leaving bites and welts that can cause an allergic reaction in some people and resulting in poor sleep. Treatment options for bed bugs include chemical powders and fumigation, with costs ranging from $120 to $700.

Bees

Bees and wasps are most dangerous when they swarm trying to find a new nesting location, and some people are allergic to their stings. Hive removal is now considered the most environmentally friendly solution and can cost between $100 and $550, depending on its complexity.

Birds

Birds often nest in roofs and guttering, defacing and damaging your home. They can also carry lice and diseases which can cause health problems for you and your family. Removing a bird nest can be expensive, ranging from $300 to as high as $1000.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can quickly infest an entire property, especially if there is an abundant food source. Treatments for cockroaches include traps and chemical sprays, with costs between $215 and $315.

Rodents

Rodents such as rats and mice not only carry a variety of diseases, they can also bring fleas and lice into your home and cause structural damage by chewing. Rodent removal costs $250 to $350 on average.

Possums

Possums can cause structural damage to ceilings and roofing, and they may also keep you and your family up all night. Possum control involves removal and blocking entry points to protect against further intrusions, which can cost between $200 and $250.

Snakes

Snakes can be a problem in urban areas that border bushland, where some species can pose a risk to humans and pets. Snake removal needs to be handled by a licensed professional, who may charge between $200 and $500 depending on the situation.

Spiders

Most spiders are harmless, but a handful – including red back and funnel web spiders – are poisonous enough to be of serious concern. Spider removal costs from $280 to $550.

Termites

Termites can cause significant structural damage to timber structures in your home. Treatments include temporary chemical applications as well as physical barriers. Termite control costs range from $180 to $250, with a pre-purchase inspection costing $250.

Read more: How to identify pest problems when buying a property

Termite control, inspection and treatment costs

If you live in a high-risk termite area, your home is likely to require termite protection and treatment, including regular termite inspections, monitoring and baiting. If you are building in a termite zone, you should also consider adding a pre-construction barrier to timber-framed homes.

Termite control of an isolated area can range from $180 to $250. If you need a more comprehensive termite barrier around your home, this could cost as much as $3,000. This is usually installed during the construction phase when your house is being built.

Expect to pay in the region of $250 for a pre-purchase pest inspection, or $300 to $600 for a combined building and pest inspection.

Possum removal costs

Possum removal typically involves capture (trap) and removal of the possum from your home as well as any roof repairs that may be needed. This ensures that there is no entry point for the possum into your roof cavity – the most common place that possums take up residence.

Expect possum removal to cost in the region of $225. This price is for a single level house with a tiled roof and includes a 12 month guarantee. This cost can vary from $200 to $250 depending on access to your roof, how many possums need to be removed and how many access points need to be closed by the technician.

It's worth noting that possums are a protected species, so must not be relocated outside of their home territory. Maintaining and repairing your roof is therefore crucial, to prevent them coming back to your property.

What is green or eco pest control?

Many homeowners are wary of chemical pest control treatments that could inadvertently harm their pets, children or other members of their family. To alleviate these concerns, some pest control services advertise themselves as 'natural,' 'green,' 'eco' or pet/family friendly.

This could mean a few things. They may avoid chemicals entirely, may only use chemicals that have a low impact on the environment or humans, or it could mean that they trap or capture a pest before removing it from your property, as opposed to exterminating it.

If you have concerns, you should discuss these with your pest control service when you request a quote.

Hiring a pest controller

When it comes time to hire a pest controller, you need to make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask a pest control company before you hire them include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• How long have you been in business?
• What products will be you using?
• How long will they be effective for?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

Before you sign up with a pest control agent, be sure to check what they include as part of their service. Be as thorough as possible in describing the type or types of pests you have and the extent of the problem. If there are access issues to your home, these should also be mentioned so you will get more accurate initial quotes.

Also check if the work comes with a warranty. Most reputable services will offer a money-back guarantee.

Does my pest controller need to be licensed?

Pest controllers in Australia are regulated and licensed on a local state/territory basis. Each state can have different licensing requirements, so you need to check the local regulator where you live.

• Australian Capital Territory – licences are issued by Territory and Municipal Services
• New South Wales – licences are issued by WorkCover NSW
• Northern Territory – licences are issued by the NT Department of Health - Poison Control Section
• Queensland – licences are issued by the Queensland Department of Health
• South Australia – licences are issued by the SA Department of Health
• Tasmania – licences are issued by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
• Victoria – licences are issued by the Victorian Department of Health
• Western Australia – licences are issued by the WA Department of Health

If trainees are conducting any work, they must be supervised by a licenced pest management technician.

If you're hiring an exterminator to remove termites, ensure their treatment plan is compliant with Australian Standard AS 3660.

Getting quotes for pest control services

The best way of finding out the cost of pest control is to get several quotes from local pest controllers. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are you'll have several options to choose from.

No matter the size of your job, always request a fully itemised quote including the cost of all materials used. Then choose the service you think will do the best job, and try not to be too swayed by price – cheaper is not necessarily better.

Advice from a pest controller...

Rob Roffey of Double R Pest Management advises homeowners to be wary of going for the lowest quote. "There are a lot of shonky operators out there who will charge next to nothing, and some people get conned by this. The sad thing is we then get called into fix their mess!"

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.