These insects not only cause noticeable discomfort but also directly threaten human health. To get rid of fleas quickly and effectively, it is better not to buy treatments for their destruction on your own but to hire a specialist.
It is extremely difficult to do flea extermination yourself because they multiply quickly. Even if you bathe your pet, these insects can also live in floor coverings, bedding, upholstered furniture, baseboards, basements, etc.
Comprehensive and effective treatment can be provided by a professional. So, let’s see how much a flea exterminator cost is in 2024.
Flea Exterminator Costs
| National Average Cost | $550 |
| Minimum Cost | $200 |
| Maximum Cost | $1,280 |
| Average Range | $330 to $815 |
The prices for flea extermination services can vary from $200 to $815, depending on different factors.
When Should You Call for a Flea Exterminator?
Before calling a flea extermination specialist, you need to ask yourself: do I need an exterminator for fleas?
Calling flea cleaning service is worth it in cases of a severe flea infestation.
However, you can’t really estimate the level of infestation without hiring a professional. So, if you have spotted these insects on your pet or anywhere else, it is better to do everything and prevent the problem than to fight it later.
Main Factors of Flea Exterminator Cost
Usually, the exact flea control cost is determined depending on several factors:
- The level of a flea infestation;
- Type of fleas;
- Location of treatment;
- The method and products for processing;
- Number of procedures;
- Additional services.
Flea Exterminator Price By Location
Most flea control procedures are aimed at pets or houses, but your yard can be infested as well, and this also affects the price of the treatment.
1. Yard – from $75
Depends on the size of the yard;
2. Outdoors – from $100
This price works for standard outdoor territories;
3. Bedroom – from $150
Rooms are usually considered as a more complex area to treat, and the professionals charge for one bedroom starting from $150;
4. Kitchen – from $175
Treating fleas in the kitchen costs about $175 because pest control professionals must take additional steps before treating a room;
5. Carpet – $50
The price, in this case, depends on the product chosen for the procedure and the size of your carpet;
6. Pet – $80
The cost for pet flea treatment also depends on the product for treatment;
7. Whole house – from $400
Here, you pay for the time and the amount of work. This price usually works for a one-story house with two bedrooms.
Flea Exterminator Price by Infestation Level
Flea exterminator prices depend on how many insects are in the house. If you find a flea problem early, you may only need one treatment to kill the pests. Medium to severe flea infestations may require a certain number of specialist visits. Below, I have provided the average cost of flea extermination options in different situations.
Low level
Before the treatment, a professional will inspect the home to make sure the fleas have not spread. Flea removal cost for a low level of infestation is between $100 and $175. Low flea infestation level is easy to deal with, even on your own, but only if you have enough time to do it. Mostly, the low level of infestation is concentrated in one spot, so it requires a one-time treatment and cleaning procedure.
Medium level
A medium flea infestation level can be determined by cases when you find fleas on several locations, but still not the whole house. In this case, you will pay mostly for the area that has to be treated.
Usually, the average cost of flea extermination is from $175 to $300. But in cases when you arrange a number of visits, the flea control cost of the first visit is not less than $100; for follow-up visits, it costs $75 or more.
Serious infestation treatment cost
If fleas infested a large open area, you would probably face a severe flea infestation problem. If you need to deal with more than an acre of open space, the price will increase respectively. Flea removal cost starts at $325 and is up to $550 in serious infestation cases.
Flea prevention cost
In fact, flea prevention can be free if you follow some common rules. If you have pets, you have to treat them regularly and make sure that your dog or cat doesn’t suffer from flea infestation on its skin. Another thing is that fleas like to settle in clean and neat grass, so if you have a lawn or a backyard, you should take care of it using special pesticides.
However, most agencies also provide professional flea cleaning service to prevent infestation. You can call a pro one time or get regular visits monthly. This option costs from $135.
Flea Treatment Cost by Treatment Type
The cost of infestation treatment, in most cases, depends on the method used by the professionals. How much does it cost to flea bomb a house, or how much will you spend on spraying it? Below, you will find the most common home flea control methods and flea exterminator prices.
Flea bombs cost
Flea bombs or flea foggers provide the best effect when dealing with low infestation levels. This method includes an aerosol that releases the pesticide into the area. You will see the effect within a few hours.
On average, flea bombs last from two to four hours, depending on the size of the area of treatment. The cost of eliminating flea pests with bombs ranges from $100 to $200 for application and cleaning.
Fumigation cost
Flea fumigation services mean using special dust or bombs in multiple rooms throughout your home. Sometimes, specialists mix several methods like bombs and spraying, to ensure the best effect. After fumigation, the dead insects should be cleaned out. Professional flea fumigation cost and flea cleaning are between $175 and $350.
Spraying cost
Usually, flea spraying price is between $150 and $300 for a pesticide treatment at home. However, this method is also very effective, and it takes up to six hours to get rid of insects completely.
Natural Alternatives
- Herbs. The most popular and effective herb for repelling fleas is eucalyptus.
- Apple vinegar;
- Essential oils. Fleas are afraid of any pungent odors, especially esters of citrus, conifers, eucalyptus, and tea tree.
One time treatment cost and follow-up cost
To keep fleas out of the house permanently, homeowners can ask for a pest control agreement on a monthly or quarterly basis. However, if you don’t want to sign the contract for annual or monthly service, you can discuss whether you need a follow-up visit of a specialist. Usually, any visit after the main treatment costs $75. One-time treatment procedure can cost up to $500 depending on many factors.
Pet Flea Treatment
Doing your pet’s flea control is important. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Wash your pet’s bedding at high temperatures;
Hot water will help remove any remaining eggs or larvae. Wash the bedding at least once a week for three to eight weeks. Dry them outdoors in direct sunlight. If your pet likes to sleep somewhere else, for example, in your bed, then it must also be washed.
2. Clean floors, carpets, walkways, and sofas regularly and thoroughly;
Remember to clean the vacuum cleaner and throw away the trash after each use to prevent eggs from hatching inside, which could lead to re-infestation of fleas in the future. Continue vacuuming regularly, at least every two days for three to eight weeks, and this will help in getting rid of fleas in your home quickly.
3. Use a veterinarian-approved flea spray or flea spray throughout your home;
Be sure to follow the directions and treat your pet carefully. Read the instructions to keep your animals safe from any potentially harmful chemicals while you handle your home.
4. Remember to treat the most common flea hideouts;
Remember to vacuum any fabric surfaces inside your car, and choose bedding for your pet that can be changed and washed regularly. Vacuum and treat the area behind and under the furniture with a flea repellent.
5. Wash all your dog’s or cat’s plush toys.
Even your dog’s favorite plush toy or your cat’s toy mouse can hide flea eggs and larvae within it.
Health Risks and Types of Fleas
There are over 2000 species of fleas in the world. They all differ in size, body structure, and other features. But one thing is invariable: fleas are blood-sucking insects that have learned to parasitize on different types of animals and even on humans.
Therefore, several species of these insects live in our neighborhood. Let’s figure out what types of fleas can live in an apartment or house.
Cat fleas
Fleas of this species are able to feed on the blood of various animals: cats, dogs, people. But they got their name for the fact that they lay eggs only in feline fur. They are black and do not exceed 2 mm in length on average. A small number of fleas does not give a cat almost any discomfort.
But this species is very fertile, and in a short time, the population can grow to serious sizes. The bites of these insects cause itching and irritation in the cat, resulting in an allergic reaction and leading to the development of infection.
Dog fleas
This flea species parasitizes exclusively on dogs. They are not able to live on the human body and feed on their blood. These are small brown insects capable of settling on a dog that is not in contact with other members of its species.
They are able to move independently or on people’s clothes. The dog on which fleas have settled loses appetite and behaves restlessly. Also, fleas can cause the appearance of worms and provoke infection with various diseases.
Rat fleas
Outwardly, they resemble feline or dog species but prefer to live on rats, mice, and other rodents. These rodents can be carriers of dangerous infections that get into fleas with the blood. Thus, the main danger of rat fleas is the transfer of infectious diseases.
Human fleas
No species is capable of permanently living on humans. But many species of fleas that parasitize domestic animals have adapted to feed on human blood. Most often, the legs of a person are attacked by such parasites.
DIY vs Hiring a Pro
Doing DIY flea control can save you money. However, there are times when going the DIY route can backfire and end up costing you more money. Pest control is one of those home projects that can be risky to do on your own.
If you are trying to decide whether you should hire a cheap flea exterminator or go to the store and buy a treatment product, think about the type of treatment, the effectiveness of the application, and the protection against future problems to help you make a decision.
How to Hire a Professional
Here’s a checklist to hire a good specialist:
- Get recommendations from neighbors, friends, or family about the pest control services they’ve used. Call at least three companies and review their methods as well as their customer service policies;
- Ask for the inspection of your site (it’s free in most cases);
- Discuss solutions;
- Ask for the contract.
Don’t forget to ask for the proper certification and the license of an agency or a professional you hire.
How to Pick a Pro
Professional flea treatment cost also depends on the knowledge and experience of a person providing the services. Here’s a guide to find and hire a specialist who will guarantee a good quality of service:
Hire a local pest control specialist
The local exterminator will be familiar with the pests common in your area and know how and when to treat them.
Look for a well-experienced professional
Chemicals used for pest control can be hazardous and should only be used by an expert who knows how to handle and apply them properly. A professional exterminator can identify the source of your infestation to ensure that all the pests are gone and will not return.
Ask for a guarantee
This means that if you hire a pest control officer to rid your home of fleas, and after a month, you see these insects again, they will come and serve your home until the fleas are gone forever. Hiring someone who guarantees their results will give you the added peace of mind and confidence that you will get what you pay for.
Hire the recommended fighter
Online reviews can also be a good source of information about other customers’ experiences.
Things to Discuss with Flea Exterminator
Examine the checklist of issues to discuss with the person who offers flea cleaning service to know what are you paying for:
- Discuss whether the exterminator has enough experience in dealing with fleas and reviews from customers;
- Ask which treatment methods the specialist offers in your particular situation;
- Discuss the number of treatments needed and whether you have to sign a contract;
- Ask for a flea prevention routine guide.
How to Prepare for Treatment
To get the best effect from treatments and ease the job of an exterminator for a little, you have to do the following procedures before the visit of the specialist:
- Clean the room that will be processed;
- Wipe the dust and do the vacuum cleaning;
- Store the food in the containers and put them into the fridge;
- Make sure that you and your household will be outside until the disinfection ends;
- Don’t forget to give your pet a bath.
Your Actions After Extermination
Spring-cleaning of the apartment after the chemical process is a mandatory procedure. Start by cleaning the floors with a vacuum cleaner. After that, you have to do the wet cleaning of:
- Floors in all rooms, after getting rid of dead insects;
- Window sills, kitchen tables, shelves;
- Trash bin storage box.
A thorough cleaning should include the following processes:
- Washing all dishes;
- Changing and washing bed linen;
- Processing of all handles indoors.
A good solution is to call the specialists of the cleaning company to clean the apartment after the disinfestation in compliance with all sanitary rules and regulations.
Also read:
FAQ on Flea Exterminator Cost
Are you still wondering whether you need to hire a professional exterminator? Here are some popular questions answered to help you make the final decision.
Can exterminators get rid of fleas?
Yes, a trained exterminator will get rid of fleas. Discuss the method and the area that should be processed and let them do their job.
How long does it take to get rid of fleas after the exterminator?
The average time to get rid of fleas completely can take up to three months, depending on the situation.
How do I get rid of fleas in my house fast?
Arrange a quality pest control service and follow the prevention methods. This will help to get rid of fleas quickly and effectively.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Fleas: Short Summary
You already know when to call an exterminator for fleas and what to discuss with them. So, let’s recollect what makes up the flea exterminator cost:
- Treatment method;
- Infestation level;
- Location & type of fleas.
Don’t forget about the flea infestation prevention methods and ways to avoid the repeated flea appearance in your dwelling or on your pet. Always think about the possibility of doing pest control by yourself since there are many effective products on the market today.
Also, do you prefer dealing with pests using natural products or chemicals? How do you choose what’s best for your case? Share your experience with other readers in the comments section to help!
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