How Much Does Fumigation Cost in 2024?

Most fumigation services price jobs based on the square footage. The average cost of fumigation in the U.S. is $1 to $4 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor. The table below summarizes what you might pay for services based on your property size.

Companies that offer fumigation treatment options almost always require you to consult with a

representative before assigning a price for service. The cost of fumigation treatment varies widely and depends on infestation severity and property size. The following are some of our preferred fumigation service providers and treatment specializations:

• Terminix: A pest control company with more than 95 years of experience, Terminix specializes in termite fumigation and treatments. The average termite treatment from Terminix costs between $400 and $1,500 a year, but fumigation costs are likely to start at $1,700.
• Orkin: A pest control company with over 100 years of experience, Orkin technicians must undergo 160 hours of training before providing professional fumigation and other treatments. The company also offers a unique “Orkin Guarantee” on services — a pest control professional will return to apply more treatment if pests return shortly after service. Contact the company directly for pricing information.
• Hawx: While Hawx is not a nationwide brand, it offers a localized focus that could be beneficial if you live in the company’s service area. Hawx is notable for its flexible treatment plan options and specialization with stinging insects, like ants, hornets, fleas or scorpions. We recommend reaching out to the company for pricing details.

Fumigation services are one of the most intensive forms of pest control, so prices will usually be higher than other preventative or less invasive treatments. Understanding what influences the cost of fumigation services can help you better predict and budget for your job. The following are some of the main factors pest control companies use to determine the price of fumigation.

Type of Pest

Some types of pests are better at getting into crawl spaces and attics, which makes it more difficult to completely clear out an infestation. If you have a pest infestation of rats, drywood termites or other invasive species throughout your home, expect to pay more for services.

Size of the Infestation

Like the type of pest in your home, the size of an infestation also influences cost. Some pests, like cockroaches and bed bugs, stay more localized — once they find a consistent food source, they tend to colonize a single room or area left untreated.

If you’re dealing with a pest that invades the whole home quickly or an infestation goes untreated for too long, it will affect a larger percentage of your home’s square footage. Companies consider the size of an affected area with fumigation, which requires tenting major portions of your home. A large infestation means a longer and more labor-intensive fumigation process, increasing your bill.

Fumigation Method

Pest control experts use multiple fumigation methods to treat residential pests. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, is suitable for different situations and has varying price points. The following are some of the most common methods used for house fumigation and the standard uses for each.

• Tent fumigation: Tent fumigation involves enclosing the exterior of a home with airtight tarps or tents, and then introducing fumigant gas. Pest control companies reserve tent fumigations for the most severe infestations. Tent fumigation is effective for eradicating a range of pests, including termites, wood-boring beetles and bed bugs. However, it requires careful planning and adherence to local regulations, which can drive up the price. You will also need to cover the cost of leaving your home for a few days while pest control treatment takes place.
• Localized fumigation: Localized or spot fumigation is a targeted approach used to treat specific areas of infestation. Exterminators tent or quarantine part of the property before using pesticides or fumigation sprays. This type of fumigation is typically used for pest control in confined spaces — or when tenting an entire structure is impractical. However, spot treatments may be inappropriate depending on the severity of the infestation.
• Container fumigation: If you have a single item to fumigate, container fumigation is a possible solution. This method involves placing an item in a sealed container and fumigating the interior. While the average cost of container fumigation is lower than fumigating your entire home, professionals only use it for small and exceptionally localized pests.

A pest control specialist can assess your infestation to help you find a balance between treatment effectiveness and cost control.

Follow-Up Treatments

If you have a severe pest problem, you can schedule follow-up services or inspections to ensure the critters have been completely eradicated. However, you will have to budget more for services if you book preventative services or require multiple appointments to eliminate your pests.

While most fumigation companies use a square footage-based pricing model, you might experience variations as you shop. The following are the most common fumigation pricing models and the pros and cons of each.

• Size-focused pricing: The most common model for fumigation is flat-rate pricing based on property size. A representative will tour your home and assign a price per square foot. This offers a concrete figure you can compare against other exterminators, but may not include follow-up appointments or additional costs.
• Hourly rates: With an hourly rate price structure, fumigators bill based on the exact time spent in your home rather than a flat-rate fee calculated by area. While this model may deliver more accurate pricing, it leaves more room for variability.
• Per-room pricing: Per-room pricing calculates costs based on a flat-rate fee per room, regardless of the size. This method is beneficial if you have a concentrated pest problem but likely will not work if you require whole-home fumigation services.

For your reference, make sure any estimates you receive from exterminators include written pricing details, either in the form of a flat rate or hourly rate.

Homeowners have dozens of options when selecting a pest control company for fumigation. Balancing cost versus reliability is important when preparing to fumigate since the treatment requires an exterminator to spray or apply toxic chemicals inside your home. Use these tips to select the right fumigation service:

• Quote process: The best pest control services will send a technician to your property to assess the infestation before quoting you a price. Be sure to get all quotes in writing and ask about potential discounts you could qualify for to reduce costs.
• Specialization: Different pests require different pest control treatments. If possible, identify the type of pest you have on your property and look for a pest control company specializing in that species of critter.
• Guarantees or warranties: We recommend asking about any guarantees or warranties a pest control company offers before scheduling service. A company that stands behind its work is more likely to address any recurring pest issues that arise after the first treatment. It can also help to ask a representative specific questions about your infestation during the quote process. For example, what will happen if fleas return to your home a week after service? Or how many treatments does it typically take the company to address termite infestations?
• Fumigation method: Depending on the severity of your pest problem, you might have some flexibility in your fumigation method. If you prefer to avoid using fogger gas treatments in your home, look for a service provider offering heat treatment options.

Consulting with multiple pest control companies can help you get the best pricing on your service and minimize damage to your home.

In the interest of safety, always opt for professional fumigation services due to the use of poisonous chemicals. While you can perform some pest control (like setting up snap traps and caulking entry points) as do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, the complexities involved with fumigation make it dangerous to attempt if untrained.

To be effective, fumigation requires specialized knowledge of pest behavior, proper handling of potentially hazardous chemicals and adherence to strict safety protocols. Professional expertise is needed to ensure the correct application and dosage of fumigants. If handled improperly, fumigation could lead to inadequate results, recurring infestations, harm to people and pets, and damage to the structure of the house.

After fumigation, there are steps homeowners can take to avoid future infestations. Use these cost-saving strategies to keep pests under control throughout the year.

• Regular inspections: Scheduling routine inspections of your property can help identify and address potential pest issues early on. Detecting infestations in the early stages can prevent them from spreading and becoming more challenging to control.
• Sealing off entry points: You can seal gaps, cracks and openings in your home’s exterior to prevent pests from entering. Closing entry points minimizes the need for fumigation by creating a barrier against pests, which can be an effective form of long-term rodent and termite control when regularly reapplied.
• Cut off food sources: Pests look for areas where they will be safe and have consistent access to food when choosing where to nest. Declutter your living spaces to reduce potential hiding spots for pests, and keep food in sealed containers.
• Investing in annual pest control plans: Investing in an annual pest control plan can be useful if you are seeking routine treatment. You can put a long-term pest control plan in place with a local service provider to reduce the amount of money you spend correcting infestations in the future.

Preventative measures add to your total pest control bill but can help avoid future fumigation by preventing infestations from growing over time.

Fumigation is a labor-intensive method of pest removal that involves filling an area with pesticides to eliminate severe infestations. The average cost of fumigation is $1 to $4 per square foot of treated property, according to HomeAdvisor. In other words, a 2,000-square-foot house could cost around $2,000 to $8,000 to treat using fumigation.

You can avoid fumigation by taking preventative measures like sealing off entry points and performing long-term pest management. Watching for the first signs of pest activity can help you quash infestations early, avoiding expensive fumigation services down the road.

Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.

Tori Addison is an editor with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. Her includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.