How Much Does Pest Control Cost?
What are the estimated cost of pest control?
It’s difficult to estimate a specific cost for pest control as there are many different factors that can affect the cost such as the type of pest, the method of control, your location, and the extent of the infestation.
The typical costs to treat a single wasps nest is around £50-£75 whereas the price to treat bed bugs is around £135-£215.
As you can see, there is quite a vast difference in price ranges depending on the type of treatment that is needed.
Pest Control Prices
With this in mind, we have created a table below to highlight the costs that you can expect for different types of pests:
| Job Description | Duration | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wasp nest treatment | 1-2 hours | £50-£75 |
| Flea treatment on carpets and furniture | 3-4 hours | £80-£150 |
| Bed bugs treatment | 4-8 hours | £135-£215 |
| Ant control treatment | 1-2 hours | £50-£100 |
| Cockroach treatment | 1-2 hours | £50-£100 |
| Rodent control | 2-3 hours | £75-£125 |
| Mole or Squirrel control | 2-3 hours | £75-£125 |
What are the Supply Costs of Pest Control?
When it comes to pest control, there are often very specific tools or substances that must be used to remove the pests completely. The costs for these supplies are usually included in the overall cost for the job supplied by your chosen contractor.
However, there are some pest control products that you can buy from your local DIY store that can help you control your pests as a DIY job if you are on a tight budget.
The table below highlights some of the supply costs that may be involved with controlling pests at your home:
| Supplies | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Mouse/rat trap | £10-£40 |
| Ant Trap | £3-£5 |
| Wasp trap | £15-£40 |
| Slug Pellets | £3-£10 |
| Fly/Mosquito net | £15-£30 |
| Electric fly killer | £30-£100 |
| Insecticide | £10-£30 |
What are the Additional Costs of Pest Control?
Depending on the extent of the infestation, there are a number of additional costs that you may need to consider with this type of work. Below is a list of the additional costs that you may need to think about after you have eliminated all of the pests in your home:
Replacement Furniture
Some pests will ruin or chew through your furniture. In these cases, you may need to buy some new furniture to replace the damaged items.
The prices for new furniture can vary depending on the type of furniture that you need to replace and how much furniture needs to be replaced.
For example, a new sofa will cost around £500-£2000, a new table and chairs set will cost around £300-£1000, and a new cabinet will cost around £100-£500.
Redecorating
Depending on the type of pest, you may need to redecorate some rooms in your home once the pests have been eliminated. Most decorators will charge around £150-£200 per day for the cost of labour.
An average-size room will cost around £250-£300 for re-decorating costs. In addition, if new flooring is needed, this will cost around £20-£50 per square metre.
Gardening
If your garden has been affected by pests, you may want to hire a professional gardener to come and renew the look of your garden. A professional gardener will usually charge around £25-£30 per hour.
Tradesmen Costs for Pest Control
Although there are some things that you can do to control pests yourself, the best option is to hire a professional to come in and completely eliminate the pests.
The average cost that a pest control specialist will charge is around £150-£200 per day. The overall price that you pay for labour will depend on the type of pests that you have, the size of your home, your location in the UK, and the extent of the infestation.
Some jobs will take longer than others and you can expect longer jobs to cost more. A tradesman will usually inspect your home to determine the extent of the infestation beforehand and they will be able to give you a good idea of the timescales and costs that you can expect for the work.
Those based in London will pay more for labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
How Long Does Pest Control Take?
The length of time that it takes to complete a pest control job is hard to determine as it will depend on the type of pests that you have and the level of infestation.
A pest controller will usually be able to give you a good idea of how long you can expect the job to take when during the initial inspection. However, most pest control jobs can usually be completed within a day.
The pest controller will come and inspect the infestation and their location and then a method of control will be decided between the homeowner and the pest controller.
Some pest control jobs may need to be continued over a course as some infestations could be prone to return. The infested area may need to be retreated to completely control the pests.
Types of Pest
There are a wide number of pests that may need to be controlled at some point in your home or garden. Below is a list of the most common types of pest that are found in homes in the UK:
Rodents
Rats and mice can be a nuisance as they tend to gnaw at your fixtures, fittings, and furniture. They can even gnaw at your electrical cables which can cause electrical issues and even fires in some cases. There are also a number of health risks carried by rodents.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are very small and flat which means that they can easily fit inside cracks and crevices, making them extremely hard to eliminate. These tiny pests tend to feed mostly on blood.
Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
It can often be hard to identify the difference between bees, wasps, and hornets. With this in mind, it’s always best to seek advice from a professional first as there are strict guidelines on controlling bees since they are essential for pollination.
Wasps and hornets tend to be more aggressive and can often sting you. A professional will have the tools and equipment to eliminate wasps and hornets safely.
Ants
Ants are a common outdoor pest, however, they can sometimes make their way inside your home. Ants tend to come in large groups so could result in a large infestation if not controlled quickly. Ants tend to be easier to remove and control than other pest types.
Moles
Moles can cause a lot of damage to your garden as they tend to burrow and create networks of tunnels. A professional pest controller will most likely use traps to capture the moles, as many of the old poisoning techniques are now prohibited.
Squirrels
Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to your home. They can chew through your woodwork, wiring, insulation, and pipes. Squirrels can sometimes be aggressive when challenged and many of them are prone to carrying diseases.
Types of Pest Control
There are a variety of different pest control methods for different pests. Below is a list of the most common types of pest control techniques in the UK:
Traps and Poisons
Many people are put off from the thought of using traps or poisons to control pests. However, if they are used correctly, they are an effective pest control method that can help to completely eliminate the pests.
Many pest controllers now use special traps that capture the animal so that they can be released later into nature rather than the traditional traps that tend to kill or seriously injure the animal.
Many bugs can be eliminated using electric traps or chemical sprays. However, these are not always effective at removing large infestations.
A professional pest controller will usually use chemicals that comply with the Control of Pesticides Act. This will ensure the chemicals comply with relevant government legislation and are safe to use.
Fumigation
This type of pest control is only used for the most extreme cases of infestation. In these events, the property is sealed off and gas is pumped in to kill all of the pests. During a fumigation, you will most likely need to leave the property for a few days.
Habitat Removal
An easy and effective way of removing pests is to remove their habitat or whatever is attracting them to your home.
For example, piles of rubbish may attract rats. Removing these piles of rubbish will mean that the rats will have to go somewhere else to find food.
Similarly, damp areas can attract certain insects. Damp-proofing your home and repairing any leaks can help to eliminate these types of pest.
FAQs
Q: Is the landlord responsible for pest control when renting?
A: It’s not always clear who is responsible for pest control when renting, however, an environmental health officer may be able to identify the cause which can determine who is responsible.
A landlord will usually be responsible if the tenancy agreement states that they are responsible or if the infestation was caused by the landlord not making efficient repairs in your home.
Q: What is pest control?
A: Pest control involves killing or removing pests in your home so that they are no longer a problem.
Q: Do I need to leave the house for pest control?
A: Most of the time you won’t need to leave the house during a pest control visit. However, sometimes the pest controller may ask you to step outside for a short period of time if they are using chemical controls.
The only time you would need to leave your house for a longer period of time is if the infestation is extreme and a complete fumigation needs to be done.
Q: Do ultrasonic pest repellents work?
A: Ultrasonic pest repellents are designed to emit sounds at a frequency that will keep pests away from the home. Some ultrasonic pest repellents may work as a short term solution.
However, they aren’t usually an effective long term solution for your pest control problems.
Q: How do I find out where mice are coming from?
A: You should inspect areas such as your loft, garage, crawl spaces, and basement to see if there are any holes or nests.
Also check your kitchen cupboards, pipes, and skirting boards for any visible holes. If you find any holes, fill them in with something inedible and cover it with plaster to stop the mice from being able to return.
Sources
- https://apex-pest-control.co.uk/prices-pest-control
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-in-rented-housing/repairs-common-problems/repairs-infestations-of-pests-and-vermin
