Here Are the Typical Rates Roach Exterminators Charge for Their Services

Cockroaches are survivors. These resilient pests have lived off the bare essentials for millions of years and have experienced few evolutionary changes. This means that experienced and knowledgeable pest control professionals are best suited to eliminate them from your house and then prevent them from returning.

Many people believe roaches only live in homes that are messy, but that's not true. The bugs can live anywhere, even in the tidiest of houses, but a messy environment may make their stay longer and more comfortable. There are DIY methods you can implement to take care of your problem, but depending on the severity of your infestation, you may need to call in a pest control company.

If you're dealing with a roach infestation in your home, it can feel like an uphill battle trying to get rid of them. Additionally, thinking about the cost of hiring a roach exterminator can also cause more stress. Our cost guide will help walk you through what you can expect to pay for a professional roach exterminator and specific treatment options.

How Much Does Roach Extermination Cost?

The average cost of roach extermination will likely fall between $100 and $1,000, with the actual roach exterminator cost depending on several factors, such as the size and location of your home and the severity of the infestation. If your roach issue requires follow-up visits and treatments, your cost may rise above the higher limit of that roach exterminator cost range. Additionally, some pest control companies may charge fees for their extended warranties, so make sure to ask about these fees before agreeing to a service and get a written estimate before proceeding with roach extermination.

Additional Extermination Fees

Although the average cost of extermination for roaches is approximately $400, there may be additional extermination fees that could cause this figure to rise. For example, while most professional and trusted pest control companies offer free inspections, others could charge you upward of $50 to simply analyze your roach infestation. Additionally, reputable companies will offer you a free service guarantee, but others may try to charge you for a warranty on their service. Furthermore, ask if follow-up treatments are included in your price in the event roaches do return or if those visits will carry additional extermination fees. 

What Do Exterminators Use to Get Rid of Roaches?

When it comes to how to exterminate roaches, there are multiple treatment methods a pest control professional may use to eradicate the bugs. There are several cockroach species, and each will respond differently to various extermination methods. This is why it's critical to rely on a pest control professional who knows how to exterminate roaches. The exact method for exterminating roaches from your home and the cost of the roach exterminator will depend entirely on the severity and location of the infestation in and around your property. Some of the most effective treatments include:

Gel Baits

Roach gel baits use insecticide formulations to control the pests by tricking cockroaches into eating the gel bait, thinking it is a source of food. When it consumes the insecticide, the roach will die.

Bait Station or Traps

A bait station or a trap is commonly used by homeowners looking for DIY methods of eliminating bugs. They are used to attract cockroaches and feature a sticky adhesive that will successfully ensnare the pest and prevent them from moving, eventually dying because they will not be able to access water or food. 

Boric Acid Dust

Boric acid attacks the nervous system of pests and is another effective method for getting rid of roaches. Because the dust from the acid has an electrostatic charge, it clings to the roach's body as it scampers through a treated area of your home. While the roaches groom themselves, they ingest the dust and eventually die.

Sprays

Often called a roach bomb or a fogger, sprays release a mist of chemical pesticides into the air in the affected area of your home. However, spraying for roaches is not considered the safest or most effective method for treating your house. 

Vacuums

Some exterminators also use vacuums with HEPA filters to remove live roaches and their debris. Vacuuming will also eliminate cockroach skins and feces that can trigger allergies.

Scrubbing

Cockroach feces contain a chemical that attracts additional cockroaches. Scrubbing cockroach feces with hot, soapy water will decrease the amount of the chemical and help to eliminate cockroaches from your home.

Tenting

In rare cases, when the roach infestation is extremely severe, a pest control company may advise sealing off your home by tenting and spraying inside to eliminate the bugs.

Best Nationwide Roach Exterminators

Orkin

Roaches have been pestering humans since the dawn of time, but with over a century of experience in pest control, Orkin is well-positioned to defend your home. Using a five-step approach, from investigation to follow-up, an Orkin professional will protect the perimeter of your house with the chemicals or other materials appropriate for your location and level of infestation. 

Orkin removes roach nests using one of four methods of extermination: baits, insect growth regulators, sprays, and dusts. Technicians will then seal up cracks and plug gaps to prevent roaches from returning to your cabinets and crawl spaces. Finally, the interior of your home is treated and pest monitors are installed to ensure that if a roach does find its way in, Orkin will know about it and return to take care of the problem before any damage is done. Customers are also protected with the Orkin guarantee, which promises 60 days of complimentary service and treatment in case you are unsatisfied with the initial pest treatments. 

Terminix

Terminix takes a hybrid approach to pest management that combines chemical and non-chemical methods. Treatment plans, though, are based on the particulars of your house, the severity of the roach infestation, and the location of the affected areas. With quarterly and single-treatment options, customers can decide how much they want to invest in getting rid of roaches.

The quarterly pest control plan includes internal and external inspections, as well as treatment (returning treatments are just done on the exterior). This plan also comes with a guarantee that promises any returning roaches will be treated at no additional cost. The one-time treatment plan only comes with a 30-day guarantee for re-treatment.

Truly Nolen

Truly Nolen is conscious of its environmental impact and works toward using natural materials during treatments when possible. The company mainly utilizes vacuuming and scrubbing to remove cockroaches from homes. This sanitation method ensures that physical remnants of the roaches (including skin and feces) will be fully eliminated.

One of the company's biggest focuses is also prevention. Truly Nolen prioritizes educating customers about where roaches come from, what they are attracted to, and how you can manage your home to eliminate all potential food sources and shelter options for the pests. 

What Type of Damage Can Roaches Do to a Home?

Not only are they unpleasant to see and look at, but roaches can also cause significant damage to a home. They can contaminate your food, trigger allergies, and spread bacteria and pathogens to the people and pets living under your roof. Additionally, the feces of roaches and the skin of the shed may stain your surfaces and create a terribly unwelcome odor.

How to Prevent Roaches From Returning

Unfortunately, even after an exterminator has removed them, roaches can come back into your house if conditions remain favorable. To prevent roaches from returning, there are several steps you can take, including:

• Keep Your Home Clean: While roaches can still get into the cleanest home, a neat and tidy house will be less attractive to the insects. That said, because roaches can usually be found camping out behind refrigerators, sinks, ovens, and other major kitchen appliances, regular sweeping and cleaning behind these areas can help keep roaches away.
• Seal Up Cracks and Crevices: Roaches can shuffle their way through even the slimmest of cracks and crevices, which are common even in new, well-built homes. To prevent roaches from returning, use 100-percent silicone caulk to seal every crack, even the smallest ones, in your kitchen and bathrooms.
• Properly Store Food: Remember that roaches have been deftly living off scraps for millions of years. They may raid your kitchen searching for crumbs and leftover food you didn't properly clean up or put away. It's disturbing to picture this scene, but it's also important to understand that roaches have the ability to flatten their bodies allowing them to fit into the openings of cardboard food packages and rolled-up plastic bags. These pests don't need a lot to survive, so avoid leaving food out and never go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes. Store human and pet food in sealed, airtight containers to prevent roaches from seeing your house as their own personal buffet. 
• Fix Any and All Water Leaks: Roaches can live for weeks without food, but they can only survive for a few days without water. Plumbing leaks are a leading cause of cockroach infestations, so attend to any leaking faucets and pipes immediately to prevent roaches from drinking in your home.