How Much Does Bed Bug Treatment Cost in the United States?

Generally speaking, homeowners in the United States spend between $1,000 and $2,500 for bed bug treatment. How much it costs will vary depending on the size of your infestation, the size of your home, and what type of treatment you choose. You could pay as little as a few hundred dollars for a small problem in one room, or you could pay upward of $5,000 to treat a larger house.

Bed bugs are difficult to exterminate because they are nocturnal, and they only eat one meal a day. They spend the rest of their time hiding while they digest their food. They come out at night when they see you sleeping in the bed, and they feed on your blood. Then, they make their way back to their hiding spot.

How Exterminators Determine the Cost

Different exterminators will have different plans and fees for bed bug extermination services. Some charge by the room, some by square footage, and others charge a flat fee. They might bill you for each visit, but some will offer a package that includes return visits. It is very rare that you would only need one treatment.

Other factors might include any of the following:

• Extent of the infestation
• Location
• Type of treatment

Types of Bed Bug Treatments

There are several different types of bed bug extermination treatments available, and they are priced differently. Take a look at the following:

• Heat Treatment: Heat treatment costs on average $1 to $3 per square foot. When you use this treatment, the exterminator will use heat and drive hot air into spaces to get the temperature higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This technique is the most effective and should kill them. While it effectively eliminates bed bugs, it does not prevent them from returning.
• Fumigation: Fumigation costs between $4 and $7.50 per square foot. The technician will tarp your home and fill it with a gas that will kill the bed bugs. This is very successful, but you need to leave the house during the treatment.
• Chemicals and Pesticides: This method costs between $100 and $500 per room, and it takes toxic chemicals that are in powder and liquid form and kills the bed bugs. This is a less reliable method because they can be pesticide resistant and they can hide from the chemicals.
• Steam: Using steam averages between $250 and $1,000 per room.

Costs by Professional Exterminator Company

If you look at a comparison of several major companies in the United States, you can see how widely the price varies. Take a look at the following:

Orkin: Orkin offers a 30-day service guarantee, and their service for an average sized home is between $1,300 and $1,600. If you have a studio apartment, it can be much less expensive at around $400, and a larger than average home will be more expensive.

Terminix: Terminix offers a 30- to 90-day service guarantee, and they average between $500 and $2,000 for their service. The average cost for an average sized house is $1,400.

ThermaPure: This treatment is a patented thermal process and it is usually more expensive. However, it is considered to be 100% effective.

For more information on Average Bed Bug Exterminator cost

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Is There a Less Expensive Way to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

Hiring an exterminator to get rid of bed bugs is very expensive, so you might consider buying a steam cleaner to get rid of them yourself. You will have the ability to do follow-up treatments yourself if you buy your own machine.

Buying a steamer costs between $125 and $500 depending on the model you want, which is less expensive than treating one room in your home. If you are unable or unwilling to afford hiring an exterminator, you might consider buying a steamer so that you can treat your home on your own.

Make sure that the steamer has a high enough output heat because you will need to create a surface heat of 160 degrees. A steamer that has a heat output of 200 degrees will work. If it has higher pressure, it will be able to penetrate crevices better.

Tips on Hiring an Exterminator

Make sure that you find out how they plan to treat your problem. You should be able to get an estimate before you hire them. It is important that the exterminator is licensed as a licensed Pest Management Professional. Find out how many treatments are included in your plan and what to expect.

How to Prepare for Bed Bug Extermination

Your exterminator will probably give you a list that outlines how you should prepare for the process, but there are certain actions that they will expect you to perform beforehand, including the following:

• Wash your clothing and bedding in very hot water and store them in clean containers with lids
• Move furniture away from the walls
• Vacuum and clean before they come
• Steam clean your furniture
• Declutter your home
• Empty your closets and drawers
• Remove pets and children from the home

How to Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation

The best way to handle bed bugs is to prevent them from coming into your home in the first place. You can bring them home with you from hotels, travels, and other people’s homes. Take the following precautions to keep them out of your home:

• Reduce your clutter
• Wash your clothes in hot water after you travel
• Examine and disinfect used furniture before you bring it in the house
• Use a special mattress cover to protect your mattress
• Keep your luggage off of hotel floors and mattresses
• Vacuum regularly
• Seal up cracks in the walls

So whats the Conclusion?

When you have a bed bug infestation, you need to get rid of them. They will continue to come out and bite you at night until they are gone. You can hire an exterminator, or you can buy a steamer and treat your home on your own. Either way, it will likely take a few treatments to get rid of all of the bed bugs.