How Much Does Fumigation Cost? [2025 Data]

Fumigation Cost Factors

Fumigation is a whole-house pest-mitigation option for serious infestations. Fumigation house costs vary based on the specifics of your infestation, including the following cost factors.

Insect Type 

While some insects quickly skedaddle at the first hint of fumes, other pests only vacate the area after intensive labor and planning. Below is a table of the most common household pests and the average fumigation price. 

House Size

Fumigation costs can range from $1 to $4 per square foot. For a 2,000-square-foot home, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $8,000. This cost range is significantly higher than single treatments for cockroaches, termites, and bed bug extermination because these pests require more labor and invasive treatment methods. 

When shopping around for quotes for whole-house fumigation, confirm that the price includes labor, materials, prep, post-fumigation testing, and ventilation. You will not be able to enter your home to perform an inspection and clean-up following fumigation until the exterminator confirms the air quality is safe.

Duration and Frequency

Fumigations can last anywhere from a few hours to a week or more, depending on what kind of infestation you're dealing with, the size and structure of your home, and whether or not you need repeat treatments. The longer a fumigation takes, the larger your final bill will likely be. Repeat fumigations may also be necessary to eradicate pests from your property, and these will cost the same as the initial treatment and double or triple what you pay overall. 

Scope of Infestation

Naturally, it costs more to fumigate a large infestation that has spread to multiple parts of the house than a small, contained infestation. A severe infestation is also more likely to necessitate multiple visits for fumigation, which increases the cost. Wood-boring insects like ants and termites tend to cause large infestations because they reproduce quickly and travel throughout the house. Fumigation pros will assess the scope of the infestation upon arrival.

Preparation Work

Some homeowners hire landscapers to assist with preparing for fumigation. In order to properly tent your home, an exterminator needs full access to its perimeter. You will need to trim outdoor plants to be at least 12 inches away from your home's exterior.

Exterminators also need all rocks, gravel, bark, and landscaping mulch no closer than 12 inches away from the home's exterior. You'll need to remove any fencing attached to the home. Professional landscaping costs to assist with yard prep for fumigation cost $50 to $100 per hour.

Additional Fumigation Costs to Consider

Don’t forget to budget for the extra costs homeowners may face related to the disruptive nature of fumigation.

Hotel Accommodations

Homeowners must evacuate their homes for at least two nights while fumigation happens. While you may be able to lodge for free with nearby friends or family, checking into a hotel costs an average of $100 to $200 per night, depending on location and amenities.

It's important to budget for a few extra days beyond your projected return date. Once the exterminator removes the fumigation tent, you’ll need to ventilate your home. Your exterminator will check air quality to determine whether your home can be safely occupied. You won't get the green light to move back in until the test comes back with safe results.

Cleaning After Fumigation

Homeowners should thoroughly clean the home once they're permitted to move back in following fumigation. Your exterminator may recommend hiring a professional cleaning company for guaranteed best results. You can expect to pay around $30 to $50 per hour for a professional house cleaner.

Costs of Common Fumigation Add-Ons

While fumigation is a straightforward process without many add-on options, it's worth talking to your exterminator about using pest-control insulation to prevent future infestations. Professional installation of blown-in insulation costs between $980 and $2,200.

How to Save Money on Fumigation

Fumigation project costs can add up quickly, so it’s essential to find ways to save money along the way. 

• DIY landscaping: Performing your own prep work instead of hiring landscapers to remove shrubbery and landscaping features away from your home is an easy way to cut fumigation project costs. 

• Get quotes from multiple companies: Fumigation service costs are generally set in stone, but shopping around for quotes from different exterminators in your area can help you find the best rate.

• Potential rebates: Finally, inquire about government rebates for installing new insulation when adding pest-control insulation to keep your home free of pests.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

Only a licensed exterminator can conduct fumigation. Exterminators have access to fumigation and tenting materials that are not available to the average homeowner. As mentioned above, the cost of hiring a local exterminator varies by the type of insect and the extent of the infestation. Contact a professional exterminator near you to request a price quote for your specific services.

When calculating the cost to bug bomb your home yourself, the major cost factor is a fogger that costs around $25 at home-improvement stores. However, using these "bug bomb" products risks dangers ranging from poisoning to fires. Improperly using foggers for DIY fumigation can result in death for both people and pets.

Cost of Fumigation Alternatives

Although often necessary, fumigation services require a big budget. Consider a handful of cost-effective pest control alternatives before resorting to such an extreme solution. Keep in mind that, like fumigation, these prices can vary greatly depending on the type of bug you're dealing with and the size and structure of your home.

If you’ve caught an infestation early, you may also be able to nip it in the bud with a few DIY pest control tricks, like laying out ant traps or spraying roach killer yourself instead of hiring a pro to do it for you. 

Fumigation vs. Pest Control 

Fumigation is often referred to as pest control, but there are differences between the two. Fumigation is a pest control method where gaseous pesticides called fumigates eliminate pests in cases of severe infestation. By contrast, pest control is a more general service that utilizes various methods to eliminate pests, including bait, traps, and physical removal. Pest control can be a short-term or long-term service, and it often aims to prevent infestations from occurring in the future. 

The type and severity of your infestation indicate whether it’s best to call fumigation or pest control. Fumigation is a powerful, whole-house pest-control option that you should only consider for extreme infestations or particularly invasive pests, like termites, that could cause structural damage to your home or anything inside of it. For less severe issues, pest control is likely the way to go.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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