The short answer
- Get written estimates from more than one licensed company.[1][5][6]
- Compare the first-year price and any annual renewal fee, and ask what the guarantee covers.[3][5]
- Be wary of a price quoted per gallon of pesticide, a 'secret formula', or pressure to sign immediately.[4]
- Why we don't list price ranges: we haven't found an authoritative, current source for local pest control prices, and invented ranges would mislead you.[1]
What changes the price
- The pest and the method: termite work, for example, can involve hundreds of gallons of termiticide injected along the foundation and under slabs, specialized equipment, and knowledge of building construction.[1]
- Liquid termite treatment versus baits: baiting can sometimes cost more than a liquid treatment because more visits are needed to monitor and replenish bait.[3]
- Construction features: wells, cisterns, sub-slab ducts, drainage systems or inaccessible crawl spaces can complicate treatment, and some companies won't warrant homes where they can't treat to standard.[1][3]
- Bed bugs: treatment is complex and can take weeks to months, and professionals may use methods such as whole-home heat that take specialized equipment.[7]
- Contracts: routine scheduled spraying isn't warranted unless there is a constant infestation; contracts should include inspections, with pesticides applied only when pests are present.[4]
What a good estimate includes
- A written estimate of services.[5][6]
- The products to be used, with EPA registration numbers, and the precautions to follow.[5][6]
- Guarantee terms, and for termites whether there is an annual renewal fee to keep the warranty.[5][1][3]
- Whether a long-term contract is required and what it costs over time.[5]
- Proof of the company's license and insurance, and references.[4][6]
Pricing red flags
- A price per gallon of pesticide, or a claim of a secret formula.[4]
- Pressure to sign right away with specials or scare tactics; termites damage wood slowly, so there is time to compare.[4][1]
- Spot treatments offered as a full solution for subterranean termites; most reputable firms won't warrant them.[1]
Common questions
- Why don't you list typical prices?
- Prices depend on the company, the home and the infestation, and we haven't found an authoritative current source for them. Written estimates from several licensed companies are the reliable way to know.[1]
- Is a termite warranty renewal worth paying?
- Kentucky entomologists advise keeping an existing warranty by paying the annual renewal; with baits, letting it lapse carries extra risk because no residual pesticide is left in the soil.[2][3]
Updated 2026-10-06. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.