Because rats may transmit disease and breed rapidly, a suspected rodent infestation should be addressed as soon as feasible. We’ll explain how much a rat exterminator costs and the expenses, advantages, and pitfalls of dealing with a rat infestation on your own.
Even if you’ve never seen a rat, your home might contain a rat infestation. Because these pests are nocturnal, you’re more likely to notice their droppings, nests, or footprints than the creatures themselves. Other frequent symptoms of a rat problem include scratching sounds in the walls and holes eaten in drywall or food containers.
You might be able to handle rats on your own, but these pests breed so fast that even a few of them can proliferate until the situation becomes out of control. In this scenario, you should contact a professional pest control firm to deal with the issue. We’ll go through the expenses of both DIY and professional rat control treatments, as well as make some points on how to select the best exterminator for you and your property.
Cost of Rat Extermination on Average
Professional rat eradication typically costs between $172 and $520, with a $342 average. However, depending on the magnitude of your rat infestation, eradication costs might reach $1,200 or higher. Many pest control firms provide full-service rodent control treatments, which often involve getting rid of the rats or mice, cleaning up after them, and closing any access holes around your house. A price breakdown is shown in the table below.
Factors Influencing Rat Extermination Pricing
Many factors influence rat eradication pricing, which is why pest control firms normally undertake an assessment before issuing a cost estimate. Here are a few elements that may influence rodent control costs.
Factors Influencing Rat Extermination Cost
The entire cost of rat eradication will be decided by a number of criteria, including the depth of the situation and size of the infestation, the removal technique, and others.
Level of Infestation
Getting rid of one or two rats is considerably easier than getting rid of many. As the eradication procedure begins, you may discover that you have more rats than you know. The pest control specialist you engage will first place a few traps, then return to analyse the situation and set fresh traps. The more traps you require, the more costly the service.
Size of Your Residence
Your rat infestation should ideally be confined to a certain region of your property, such as the attic or basement. If the rats have made their way throughout your whole home, your pest control expenditures will skyrocket. If rats hide in difficult-to-reach areas, such as behind air ducts, beneath foundations, or beneath floors, the cost can skyrocket.
Method of Removal
There are three basic methods for rat removal: traps, poisons, and fumigation. Traditional traps, such as snap, glue, and bait traps, will be significantly cheaper than live traps. Some pest management businesses may employ rodenticides administered to bait stations as a removal approach. Fumigation is used as a last option for severe infestations and is significantly more expensive than trap approaches.
Locations of Access
Rats may enter your home through a quarter-sized hole. After your infestation has been treated, experts recommend fixing your property to seal up any rat entrance spots. Some pest control firms will provide this service by sealing holes on the exterior of your home and around windows and doors. This add-on service will raise the overall cost of rat eradication.
Rat Infestation Symptoms
Aside from witnessing a rat, there are additional clues to check for that indicate the existence of the rodent. You should look for the below-mentioned signs of a rat infestation:
- You discover rat droppings. Not the most appealing sight, but a sure evidence of a rat infestation. The droppings are frequently discovered near food and water sources.
- You see holes or biting marks in your home. These are commonly found on food packaging, wiring, drywall, trim, and flooring.
- You detect a musty odour. Rats emit an unique odour that you do not want in your house.
- You come upon shredded plants, paper, or textiles. Rats enjoy chewing but do not always swallow, thus you will discover these shreddings laying about.
How to Avoid Rat Infestation
An infestation of rats may make you feel nervous in your own house. It is essential to take precautions. To avoid a rat infestation, follow these guidelines:
- Seal any possible entry points. Rats may infiltrate your house through microscopic gaps. Fill any gaps or cracks in your external walls, as well as around doors and windows.
- Use airtight containers to store food. Rats do not usually take up residence in your house if they cannot reach food or crumbs.
- Add screens to exterior vents. Rats can get through vent pipes that don’t have screens over the apertures.
- Maintain your outside landscaping. Rats will reside in and near wood heaps, yard trash, leaf piles, and shrubs, and will make their way into your home.
