How Much Does an Ant Exterminator Cost?

Cost Range for an Ant Exterminator

The cost to hire an exterminator for ants can vary depending on the type of ants, the extent of the infestation, and the treatment method used to get rid of the ants. In general, ant exterminators cost between $75 and $525 for a single treatment.

Average Cost

The average cost of ant extermination is around $275 for a one-time treatment of your home. Annual ant extermination contracts cost $400-$1,200 per year for monthly or quarterly applications. DIY products cost $10-$25 but results might be limited, and you’ll need to be aware of the product and other dangers it poses to both nature, humans and pets.

Overview of Ant Exterminating

Ant infestation can be more than just a nuisance. Some ant species carve or bore into wood framing, causing major damage to the home or commercial building. Others have bites or stings that are irritants to most victims, but cause dangerous allergic reactions in others. Similar to bed bugs, ants may cause a skin rash.

Ants are a seasonal pest in cooler climates, but can be a year-round problem in warm regions.

Sprays and ant traps may not be effective if you have a major infestation, and an exterminator should probably be called. There’s more information on DIY ant control below.

This ant exterminator cost estimate explains price factors, so you’ll know what to expect when you contact local pest control services for prices.

There are comparison prices from other cost sites, plus costs submitted by homeowners and pest control professionals. You can be of help to other readers by using the form below to share the details and cost of ant extermination.

Ant Exterminating Cost Factors

Exterminators consider these factors when preparing an ant control cost estimate.

• The Scope of the Infestation – If the infestation is caught early and is in one or a few isolated locations, cost will be lower than if it is widespread.
• Access – If the ant nests are difficult to locate and reach, extermination cost might be higher.
• Type of Ant – Some species, like carpenter ants, are difficult to exterminate, so cost is higher. Also, the chemicals used vary by species, and some are more expensive than others.
• How Many Treatments are Necessary – Sometimes the first application doesn’t kill all the ants, and a second or third treatment is required. There is usually a price break for repeat treatments.
• One-time vs Annual Contracts – In climates where ants are a problem all year, pest control services offer contracts providing quarterly or monthly applications. With a contract, monthly treatments average $95 and quarterly applications average $145.
• Preventative Applications – Once nests have been eliminated, preventative treatments can keep ants away. Cost varies by service and the size of the area being treated. Services include barrier spray around the foundation, eave and overhang spray, yard treatment with water-activated granules for exterminating underground ant colonies, wall-cavity treatments and interior baseboard spray.
• Distance to your Property – Fuel costs and time are considered when putting together ant extermination price estimates.
• Where you Live – Cost of living and pest control competition in your area affect cost.

Exterminator and Application Cost Details

Cost of Services

Depending on the type of ants, the extermination service will offer a menu of options. Here are common services and their cost:

• $100 – $250 | Spraying affected and nearby areas, depending on square footage affected.
• 10 – 20 cents per square foot | Spray around the foundation, eaves, overhang and gables. Ant control granules, aka “ant dust” costs about the same to spread.
• $2-$5 per mound | Drill and dust: Drilling into fire ant mounds and applying chemical powder to kill the queen and colony.
• $50 – $200 | Leaving professional-grade poisoned bait traps in areas of ant infestation, with cost based on number of traps.

Permits, Inspection, and Labor Costs

Permits and/or Inspection Cost

• $0 | Ant control does not require a permit, though the exterminator should be licensed and insured.

Exterminator Labor Cost

Labor costs are not itemized in most ant exterminator estimates. If costs were broken down by the hour, it would come to $45-$80 per hour for labor.

Treatment Time

The initial visit, which might be the only visit, takes the longest. During this visit, the exterminator must evaluate the scope of the infestation, locate entry points and nests and choose the appropriate method of eradicating the pests.

Here’s what you can expect in terms of time:

• Up to 3 Hours | Initial or one-time visit
• 20-60 Minutes | Follow-up, monthly or quarterly visits
• 4-6 Hours | Drilling and dusting fire ant mounds on a 1/4 acre lot

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DIY or Hire a Pro

Ant spray ($5-$8 per can), ant granules ($10-$15 per gallon) and ant baits ($6-$12 per 4-pack) can be effective for common ants when the infestation isn’t large. Read recommendations for use on the package for best results.

Most stubborn ant infestations require professional extermination. The pros are skilled at finding entry points, locating nests within walls and choosing the right method to eliminate the specific type of ant.

Carpenter ants, for example, aren’t attracted to most baits. And they tunnel into wood, like the framing of your home, where they are hard to reach with conventional spray.

If you identify or suspect carpenter ants, don’t hesitate to call a professional ant control service.

Unless you have carpenter ants or people and pets are being bitten or stung, there’s no harm in trying DIY ant extermination. Use baits and spray for one to two weeks and monitor results. There are even green, natural methods, though we can’t vouch for their effectiveness.

If you’re winning the battle with DIY methods, keep it up. If not, then it’s probably time to call an exterminator.

The bottom line is that most readers of this post will ultimately need a professional ant control.