Nobody wants to share their home with cockroaches. These unwelcome pests carry diseases, trigger allergies, and multiply faster than you can believe. If you’ve spotted a roach scurrying across your kitchen floor, you’re probably wondering how much it’s going to cost to get rid of them.
Professional cockroach extermination is more affordable than most people think, but costs vary based on your situation. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the cost of cockroach extermination so you can budget properly and protect your home.
Average Cost of Professional Cockroach Extermination
Most homeowners pay between $100 and $600 for professional roach extermination, with the average around $200 per treatment. The cost of cockroach extermination can be as low as $90 for a very small problem or climb above $7,500 if fumigation is needed.
Here’s the typical price range by infestation size:
- Small infestations: $100 to $400
- Medium infestations: $300 to $500
- Large infestations: $600 to $1,200
- Severe infestations: $1,000 to $7,500
Professional services typically include an initial inspection, treatment using appropriate methods, removal and cleanup, sealing entry points, and follow-up visits.
DIY vs Professional Extermination
DIY supplies cost around $50 to $150. You’ll spend $40 to $180 on spray insecticides, $7 to $35 per bait station, $10 to $30 on glue traps, and $5 to $20 for boric acid powder.
The problem? DIY methods rarely solve the full problem. Roaches hide in walls, behind appliances, and under cabinets where homeowners can’t reach them. They reproduce quickly and have developed resistance to many store-bought treatments.
The price of cockroach extermination from a professional includes expertise about where roaches hide, what species you’re dealing with, and proven elimination methods. Most people who try DIY first end up calling a professional anyway after weeks of frustration.
Call a professional if you’re seeing roaches daily, notice a musty smell, try DIY without success, have young kids or pets, or see roaches during daytime (this means severe infestation).
Cockroach Types and Cost Impact
German Cockroaches: The most common and difficult to eliminate. Small (half an inch), light brown with two dark stripes. They reproduce extremely fast with females producing up to 400 offspring. Their tiny size lets them hide anywhere. Expect higher costs and multiple treatments.
American Cockroaches: Largest at up to 2 inches, reddish-brown with yellowish markings. Often come from outside or sewers. Treatment addresses both indoor and outdoor sources. They reproduce slower than German roaches, making them easier to control.
Oriental Cockroaches: About 1 inch long, dark brown to black. Prefer damp environments. Treatment requires moisture control like fixing leaks and improving drainage, which adds to costs.
What Affects Extermination Costs
Inspection Fees: $40 to $125, often waived if you hire them. The technician identifies species, checks entry points, and determines severity.
Infestation Severity: The biggest cost factor. Minor infestations cost $100 to $400. Moderate ones run $300 to $500. Severe cases cost $600 to $1,200. Extreme infestations requiring fumigation reach $1,000 to $7,500. Female German roaches produce new egg cases every few weeks with 40 eggs each, so populations explode fast.
Home Size: Expect $100 to $150 for 1,000 sq ft, $220 to $400 for 2,000 sq ft, and $450 to $650 for 3,000+ sq ft.
Location: Easy-to-reach kitchens cost less than roaches in wall voids or foundations. Multi-unit housing is complex since roaches travel between units through shared walls.
Geographic Area: Urban areas have higher prices due to cost of living. Warm Southern states see year-round activity. Some companies charge peak-season premiums in spring and summer.
Treatment Frequency: Minor infestations need 1 to 2 treatments over 2 to 4 weeks. Moderate cases require 2 to 4 treatments over 4 to 8 weeks. Severe infestations may need 4+ treatments over 2 to 6 months. Follow-ups typically cost $40 to $160 each.
Treatment Methods and Costs
Chemical Sprays ($40 to $500): Most common and affordable. Applied to baseboards, under appliances, around cabinets. Fast-acting but doesn’t reach roaches deep in walls.
Gel Bait ($100 to $600): Highly effective. Roaches eat the bait, return to hiding spots, die, and other roaches feed on them, creating a chain reaction. Works for weeks and reaches hidden colonies.
Boric Acid Dust ($100 to $600): Powder puffed into wall voids and hidden areas. Roaches walk through it and ingest it when grooming. Very effective and lasts months if kept dry.
Fumigation ($1 to $4 per sq ft, typically $1,000 to $3,000): For severe cases. Your home is sealed and filled with toxic gas for 2 to 3 days. You must vacate during treatment. Extremely effective but expensive.
Tenting ($2,000 to $7,500): Wraps your entire house in a tent before releasing gas. Most comprehensive option for extreme cases.
Heat Treatment ($2,000 to $7,000): Chemical-free option raising home temperature to 130-140°F. Kills all life stages. Safe for those with chemical sensitivities.
Most estimates use sprays, gel baits, or boric acid dust, which handle the majority of infestations.
Exclusion and Prevention
Exclusion work costs $200 to $600 for average homes, up to $1,000 for larger properties. This seals every entry point. Roaches squeeze through quarter-inch openings.
Common tasks include sealing foundation cracks, caulking around pipes, installing door sweeps, screening vents, weather stripping doors and windows, and using steel wool in gaps.
Without exclusion, you’re creating a revolving door. You could spend $600 to $840 yearly on repeated treatments instead of $400 to $600 once for proper sealing.
Service Plans and Contracts
Quarterly Plans ($500 to $600/year): Four annual visits for inspection, bait refresh, and exclusion checks. Good for older homes or roach-prone areas.
Monthly Plans ($40 to $70/month): Best for severe past infestations. More common for commercial properties.
Annual Plans ($250 to $450/year): One thorough yearly visit. Works as preventive insurance.
Plans include free return visits if roaches appear between scheduled appointments. Consider a plan if you live in an older home, urban area, or have had roach problems before.
Cleanup and Health Costs
Professional cleanup costs $600 to $1,000. Cockroach debris contains allergens triggering asthma attacks. According to the American Lung Association, cockroach allergens are found in 63% of American homes. Professional crews use HEPA vacuums and hospital-grade disinfectants.
Cockroaches carry 33 types of bacteria, 6 parasitic worm varieties, and at least 7 human pathogens. They spread salmonellosis, E. coli, typhoid fever, cholera, and other diseases through droppings and contaminating surfaces.
Roach allergens cause chronic congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, skin rashes, and serious asthma attacks. Children are especially vulnerable. When roaches infest pantries, expect to throw away $100 to $500 worth of contaminated food.
Cost of waiting: Week 1 has a $150 to $300 problem with 10 to 20 roaches. Week 12 has a $1,000 to $3,000 problem with thousands of roaches. Early intervention always costs less.
Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Help
Call an exterminator immediately if you notice:
- Daytime sightings: Roaches are nocturnal. Seeing them during the day means severe overcrowding.
- Daily droppings: Fresh droppings (look like black pepper) daily means active growth.
- Egg cases: Brown, bean-sized capsules. German roach cases contain 40 eggs each.
- Musty odor: Strong oily smell indicates substantial infestation and attracts more roaches.
- Multiple night sightings: For every roach you see, dozens hide nearby.
- Shed skins: Light brown, papery skins mean roaches are actively maturing.
Population growth is exponential. Week 1 has 10 to 20 roaches, week 4 has 50 to 100, week 8 has 200 to 500, and week 12 has 1,000+.
Money-Saving Tips
Get Multiple Quotes: Prices vary by hundreds of dollars. Compare what’s included, not just price.
Bundle Services: General pest plans covering multiple pests save 20 to 30% versus individual treatments.
Do Prep Work: Clean thoroughly, move furniture, seal obvious gaps, and fix leaks before the exterminator arrives to reduce labor time.
Look for Guarantees: Free retreatment within 30 to 90 days protects your investment.
Ask About Discounts: Senior, military, first responder, new customer, and referral discounts save 10 to 20%.
Prevent Future Problems: Keep a spotless kitchen, store food in sealed containers, take out garbage daily, fix leaks immediately, and reduce clutter.
Don’t Wait: Treating 20 roaches versus 1,000 roaches differs by $1,000 or more.
Choosing the Right Exterminator
Look for companies that are licensed and insured, experienced with cockroaches (especially German roaches), have positive reviews, use Integrated Pest Management, provide detailed inspections, explain treatments clearly, give written estimates, offer 30 to 90-day guarantees, and communicate well.
Avoid pressure tactics, suspiciously low prices, unlicensed companies, vague explanations, verbal-only agreements, and poor online reputations.
Ask before hiring: What species do I have? How severe is it? What methods will you use? How many visits are needed? What’s your guarantee? Is your company licensed? What happens if roaches return?
Consider the whole package, not just price. Good reviews, clear explanations, modern methods, and strong guarantees matter more than saving $50.
Prevention After Treatment
Maintain results with daily habits:
Cleanliness: Wipe counters nightly, sweep daily, wash dishes immediately, clean under appliances monthly, store food in sealed containers, take out garbage daily.
Moisture Control: Fix all leaks immediately, use exhaust fans, use dehumidifiers in damp areas, don’t let water stand in sinks.
Maintain Sealing: Check caulk, door sweeps, weather stripping, and screens annually. Repair deterioration.
Monitor Signs: Stay alert for sightings, droppings, odors, egg cases, or shed skins. Call immediately if you spot warning signs.
Outdoor Prevention: Trim vegetation away from house, don’t store firewood against walls, keep garbage cans away from doors.
Conclusion
The cost of cockroach extermination typically ranges from $100 to $600 for most homes, averaging $200 to $300 per treatment. Severe cases can reach $7,500, but most problems don’t require extreme measures.
Costs depend on infestation severity, home size, cockroach species, location, and treatment methods. Getting multiple quotes from licensed companies ensures fair pricing.
Professional exterminators eliminate infestations effectively. The price of cockroach extermination from a professional includes inspection, treatments, follow-ups, and often exclusion work, providing better value than DIY attempts.
Early intervention costs less. A minor infestation treated promptly costs $150 to $300 and resolves in weeks. Waiting can create a $1,000 to $3,000 problem requiring months of treatment.
Beyond cost, consider health. Cockroaches carry diseases, trigger asthma, and contaminate food. For families with children or respiratory issues, professional treatment protects health.
If you’re seeing roach signs, don’t delay. Call a licensed exterminator for a free inspection. The longer you wait, the more expensive the problem becomes. Professional cockroach extermination is an investment in your family’s wellbeing and home’s cleanliness.
