Your Guide To Pest Control Prices

Pest Control Costs

According to the Department of Health in Australia, pests are major vectors of diseases such as Hepatitis A, malaria, dengue fever, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, and much more. Most common pests such as ants, termites, roaches and rats are attracted to food.

Others such as bats, bees, and snakes want a cozy home to build their habitat. While at it, they may destroy your house or attack you leading to unnecessary accidents and illnesses. It is therefore paramount to have them eradicated before it’s too late.

Pest control services are your best bet if you want to get rid of such nuisance, and their costs vary greatly depending on the type of pest and the size of the house. Furthermore, the pest control company you select may have different tools and pesticides they use and hence the huge variation in rates.

Our research shows the average cost of pest control in Australia ranges between $90 for flea and tick treatment to $450 for a comprehensive high end pest treatment.

Examples of pests covered include:

  • Termites
  • Ants
  • Carpenter Ants
  • Bats and bees
  • Cockroaches
  • Fleas
  • Ticks
  • Spiders
  • Wasps
  • Mice
  • Weevils
  • Carpet Beetles

 

Nevertheless, most pest control services have a standard cost structure that you can use to compare and select one with the best bang for your bucks.

Have them visit your premises to evaluate the extent and scope of the infestation and give you a quote.

Factors affecting pest control cost

Pest control doesn’t have a be-all-and-end-all cost. This highly depends on the types of pests you plan on getting rid of and the size of your house.

It’s also affected by the pest control company you select. Here are some of the factors affecting the cost of pest control.

  • Type of pests
  • Size of premises
  • Type of pesticides
  • DIY or Professional services
  • Frequency of treatment

 

1. How does the type of pest affect the cost?

Usually, standard pests such as spiders and cockroaches do not require extreme measures to get rid of them.

This makes their treatment cheaper compared to ants and rodents.

Termites, for instance, require special tools and chemicals to get rid of as they infest furniture and usually have underground hideouts that require expertise to exterminate.

 

2. Why does the size of house factor in pest control cost?

The size of the house is an important factor when it comes to determining the cost of pest control since the larger the house, the more work and chemicals will be needed.

A larger house will be more costly as more raw materials and labor is required for the process.

An old house or one which has not been inhabited for a long time may be more expensive to exterminate pests.

However, those charges are subject to change with every pest control company.

 

3. How does the type of pesticide affect the cost?

Not all pesticides work in every scenario. For instance, some pesticides require spraying, others require rubbing and others are in powder form.

Depending on the extent of the infestation, the company will determine which pesticide will best work for the extermination.

Also, if you have young children, you’re better off with pesticides that do not have side effects lest your kids get affected.

For instance, most pesticides have glyphosate and chlorpyrifos which have been found to be harmful.

Furthermore, they can ingest the toxic chemicals when playing around causing unnecessary accidents and chronic diseases.

In fact, a 2013 report by the European Food Safety Authority found strong links of pesticides to certain types of cancers and Parkinson’s disease later in life.

The eco-friendly pesticides tend to be pricier than the standard ones.

This is because they’re hard to manufacture but they’re more beneficial to the environment.

If you have a garden outside your house, you don’t want to use chemicals that might affect your plants negatively.

 

4. Can I do DIY pest control to save costs?

Yes, you can, but only to a certain extent. Sometimes the problem is surmountable and can easily be dealt with especially when you identify the pest early on before they multiply.

You can find the best pesticides from your nearest chemist and apply in the house.

You can also buy traps and trap the animals.

However, if the problem persists, your only choice is to hire a professional pest control company.

Otherwise the long-run costs of DIY will be much more than the one-time visit of a professional pest exterminator.

 

5. How does frequency factor in the cost of pest control?

Professional pest control services offer flexible cost options.

You can hire them for a one-time visit only which is usually pricier but will get the job done once and for all.

Ensure that they have a guarantee/warranty that if the pests return within a specified amount of time, they will do it for free or at a subsidized cost.

There’s also the option for periodic visits. This is especially important for stubborn insects such as ants that keep coming back.

The first visit is usually pricier as it involves thorough checkups and evaluation to identify the source of the pests.

The regular visits are then used for checkups and controlling the pests before they become full blown.

However, the regular visits are cheaper as they do not involve a lot of work. You can choose one which best serves you.

 

Costs Breakdowns

Here’s a simple cost break down of how much it would cost for each pest according to One Flare.

NB. These are just estimations and each company will have their own cost structure.

The below are indicative starting costs for pest control in Australia.

  • Live Termite Treatment from $330
  • Termite Barriers from $1000 – $5000
  • Ants $150
  • Carpenter Ants $330
  • Bats and bees $250 – $500
  • Cockroaches $150
  • Fleas $90
  • Ticks $90
  • Spiders $150
  • Wasps $200 – $500
  • Mice and rats $150
  • Weevils $100 – $300
  • Carpet Beetles $150

 

Always seek a quote from a reputable and licensed pest control operator before making your decision.

Pest Treatment Prices - Brisbane, Australia

What are the benefits of hiring a professional pest control service compared to a DIY?

While you may want to spray pesticides and place traps around your house to control pests, you should realize that pest control is not a simple task and requires special tools for successful extermination.

Furthermore, your DIY may not be as effective as a professional pest control service. Some of the benefits of a professional pest control service include:

  • Guaranteed thorough extermination and treatment
  • Effective pest control application methods
  • Regular follow up visits
  • Compliance with legal regulations

 

Here are the top four in detail.

1. Guaranteed extermination

Professional pest control services have the necessary tools needed for effective pest control measures.

They therefore can guarantee complete eradication of the pests once you hire them.

If you do it yourself, you’ll only solve the problem temporarily especially if the house is deeply infested with the pests.

Case in point, bedbugs. Best option is to hire professional exterminators.

 

2. Careful pesticide application

Pesticides are extremely harmful especially when poorly applied.

They can corrode your skin, cause food poisoning, and even cause damage to your household items.

Professional pest control services have skills and knowledge on how to apply various pesticides for effective pest control.

Furthermore, if you do it yourself, you might end up applying high amounts of pesticides leading to more costs and a messy job.

 

3. Regular visits

Some professional exterminators offer guarantees within a certain period.

For instance, after the first visit, you can be guaranteed that there won’t be any pests within the next three months otherwise the exterminator will come again at no extra charge or at a subsidized rate.

 

4. Compliance with legal regulations

Some states may have regulations against killing of certain birds and rodents especially in rural areas.

Environmental regulations require minimal pollution when dealing with pests according to the department of environment and energy.

These are all key points that a professional pest control service will have in mind when dealing with pests, saving you the trouble.

 

Conclusion

The cost of pest control is highly dependent on a number of factors. Some of them include:

 

  • Type of pest
  • Size of house
  • Frequency of treatment
  • DIY vs Professional cost control services


The average cost of pest control ranges between $150 to $450 for a thorough pest control treatment.

You can have your pest control service for a one-time visit, or have them monitor and mange your pest treatment regularly.

This can be anywhere from monthly to yearly. If you choose a regular service for maintenance and prevention purposes, each subsequent visit should be a fraction of the initial visit.

Hiring a professional exterminator has various advantages compared to doing it yourself.

Things such as careful application of pesticides, legal requirements, regular checkups, and an effective pest control treatment are to be considered.

Shop around and compare the one with the best value for your money. Ensure they offer exemplary services and always read their reviews.

 

We hope you enjoyed this article. Please share your comments below.

This article has been written by Edward Ellis from Eco Pest Control Brisbane.