How Much Does Pest Control Cost for an Apartment

by
How Much Does Pest Control Cost for an Apartment

Pest control is a standard service that’s often needed for a variety of infestations.

The cost of these services varies, depending on the type of infestation, severity, and size of your home.

If you suspect there is an infestation in your home, it’s essential to have an inspection done.

This first step is arranged with a local pest control company or through your landlord.

The initial price for a quick assessment of your home begins at around approximately $100. Pest control contractors may be open to negotiation on specific rates in some cases.

The Range in Pest Control Pricing

The type of pest control techniques and the company you hire significantly impact the overall costs involved. 

Generally, a typical pest control treatment of one or two visits, including the initial inspection, costs between $100 and $300.

After the initial inspection is done, the pest control technician will confirm pests or infestations and plan for the next step. 

They will provide an information package and instructions on how to prepare your home for the treatment.

In some cases, you may be able to negotiate the price, especially if several apartment units are treated simultaneously. 

Depending on your lease or rental agreement, your landlord may offer to cover all or part of the cost.

Types of Treatment and Their Costs

Every home is at risk for infestation, and in some cases, there is a heightened risk depending on the location of your home. 

The severity impact also depends on how prevalent specific bugs or insects are in the area.

Treatment ForExpected CostAntsStarts at $250 ($500 for carpenter ants) Bed Bugs$200-$400 per infected roomTermitesStarts at $1000Rats/MiceStarts at $300 CockroachesStarts at $300 WaspStarts at around $200 and can be as high as $500SpiderStarts at around $200

Treatment for Ants

Ants are one of the most common infestations for houses and townhomes. They can also get into apartments through a balcony or terrace. 

Carpenter ants are one of the more invasive species and typically cost $500 or more for treatment.

All species of ants are typically attracted to sunny regions and food sources. When they enter your home, they will forage for small crumbs and residue left behind.

Clearing leftover food left behind will reduce the chance of infestation.

There are many species of ants, and a typical treatment program starts at around $250.

Bed Bugs Treatment Options

One of the most challenging pests to get rid of is bed bugs. They are highly parasitic and challenging to eradicate from your home. 

Fortunately, treatment is available, which typically costs between $200 to $400 per infected room.

In many cases, a complete treatment of your apartment is recommended, which can cost closer to $1,000. 

The preparation is time-consuming and requires removing all your items, including wrapping your mattresses and clothing in plastic bags.

Pest control technicians often apply the treatment at least twice, with two weeks in between visits, to gauge any improvement or reduction in an infestation.

The cost of treatments may cost up to $2,000 or more in total, depending on the methods used. 

Extermination options include fumigation, heat treatment, freeze treatment, steam removal, and various pesticides.

Also read: How to Prevent Bed Bugs in an Apartment (7 Easy Ways)

Termite Infestations

One of the most invasive and destructive infestations to any property is termites.

It’s one of the most feared types of pests, especially for homeowners, and it may impact apartments or rentals, depending on the structure of the building.

Often, the damage done by termites is noticed too late. For this reason, it’s best to have routine inspections done, which cost around $100. 

Landlords and homeowners alike can save a lot in repairs and expenses with preventative maintenance.

Once it is determined that termites have infected your home and their possible impact on attached units or apartments, one treatment typically starts at $1,000. 

A follow-up assessment will indicate whether further sprays and treatments are required, which costs another $1,000 for each application.

Treatment of Rats and Mice

Mice and rats are prevalent in many regions, from urban apartments to country homes. 

They can transmit disease and bacteria, which can threaten your children and pets. Rats and mice cause damage to insulation, flooring, and walls.

Most treatment options for these vermin include a combination of bait and traps, usually outside or around the perimeter of the home or building. 

Apartments located on higher floors tend to be at less risk. Setting up traps and monitoring the premises starts at around $300.

Also read: Can You Withhold Rent for Mice? What are Your Rights!

Cockroaches

Most people are familiar with cockroaches, as they are widespread and can infest any home. 

They can appear anywhere, from high-end hotels, and large houses, to small apartments and businesses.

Usually, cockroaches are not a severe health risk, though they may carry some diseases. 

They can be found in the cleanest homes, and they are attracted to any source of food, including a small crumb or areas of your kitchen. 

Treatment typically starts in the kitchen and dining areas.

Each visit from your technician will cost about $300 or more, depending on how many cockroaches you have and the extent of the infestation.

Wasp Treatment and Removal

If your apartment or home is affected by wasps, there is a separate cost for treating the wasps and their removal. 

Wasps usually enter the home from a nearby nest, usually attached to the exterior of your home or very close in location.

The treatment of wasp nests starts at around $200 and can be as high as $500. Typically, if there is a small nest or infestation, the cost will likely be closer to $200. 

Some properties may contain multiple nests, which may contain 20,000 wasps or more.

Removing a wasp nest is a separate operation, as it may require specific skills to remove from trees, bushes, eaves, and nearby underground areas. 

Installing window screens or closing them completely can help avoid infestation indoors.

Treatment for Spiders

There are over 1,000 species of spiders in North America.

They are usually attracted to warm areas of your home and are usually seen in vents, cracks in the wall, or near windows.

Treatment for spiders starts at around $200 for most homes. 

While they are not harmful and control the infestation of other pests, they are often considered a nuisance and an unwanted sight in apartments, houses, and offices.

Regular Preventative Treatments for Pest in Apartments

Many apartments and similar buildings benefit from regular preventative maintenance. 

Pest control companies offer programs that include monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly treatments to prevent infestation in the common areas of the building.

Property management companies and landlords can arrange preventative services that include rat and mice bait and traps, spraying the corridors and lobbies of the building, and inspections. 

The costs range from $50 to $100 monthly, depending on the types of methods applied.

Ongoing Contractual Visits

Monthly visits for preventative pest control treatments are the most common. 

During these treatments, technicians may visit specific apartments or units at risk for infestation or when a tenant reports pests.

Bi-monthly visits cost about $60 per treatment, and quarterly visits can range between $100 and $300.

The less frequent the preventative treatments, the higher the cost, as more (or multiple) methods may be needed at once.

In situations where a building or series of apartments have a history of intensive pest infestations, semi-monthly sprays and treatments may be used to keep all units pest-free and safe.

Contractual Agreements and Lower Pricing

Due to the increased business, property management companies that oversee many apartment buildings in one area may be offered competitive pricing on preventative pest control. 

For example, monthly treatment of $50 may be reduced to $40 due to a higher volume.

Pricing by Square Footage

Some extermination contractors may charge by square footage, usually around $25 per 1,000 to 1,500 square feet. 

The costs will typically increase when a more comprehensive method or more than one pest requires more than one type of treatment.

Looking for Competitive Pricing

If you live in an apartment building and rent your unit, there may already be preventative treatments of the common areas to help keep an infestation from starting and spreading. 

Landlords and property management companies may also offer to pay for treatments in specific units.

Property management companies often research various extermination contractors in the area to determine which company offers the best treatments at the lowest price.

If tenants are expected to pay for their treatments, management may advise the most reputable or inexpensive contractors available.

Summary: The Cost of Pest Control Services

The cost of pest control services is generally affordable and often provides a last-ditch effort to eradicate severe infestations. 

It’s best to start treatment early, even if there is little or nothing to worry about initially.

A quick inspection is the least expensive option, with a cost of $100. 

It’s a small price to pay and a worthwhile expense to start treatment early and avoid some of the worst effects of large infestations, which are more difficult and expensive to resolve.

Pest control companies offer tips on keeping your home safe and pest-free.

While there is no guarantee that infestation can be prevented entirely, fees for inspection and treatments range from $100 to $2,000.

Other articles you may also like: