How Much Does a Gnat Exterminator Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $150 - $250
Hiring gnat exterminator costs $200 on average, or between $150 and $250 depending on factors like labor and the extent of the infestation.
The average gnat exterminator cost is $200, with costs ranging from $150 to $250. Gnats pack an annoying punch for how tiny they are, and their strength in numbers makes them even more of a nuisance. If they won't go away, it’s time to bring in a professional gnat exterminator.
Gnats—a broad term that includes fungus gnats, fruit flies, midges, drain flies, and small house flies—are tiny flying pests that tend to congregate in large numbers. Although mostly harmless, gnats can be extremely hard to get rid of once they’re attracted to your home. If you’re ready to bring in a pro, this guide will help you plan your budget.
- Average
- $200
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $500
Gnat Exterminator Cost Factors
These are the main factors that will impact the cost of a gnat extermination.
Type of Treatment
Your gnat exterminator may offer different treatments at varying price points to get rid of gnats. The most common options are traps or spot treatments. To remove visible gnats, the expert may apply traps to lure and kill the pests in places where they seem to congregate. For more severe gnat infestations, they may apply chemical spot treatments to eliminate large groups of pests at a time. Then, the gnat professional will evaluate the best way to reduce or get rid of the gnat’s developmental sites to prevent future infestations.
Number of Treatments
Gnat exterminator visits cost $150 to $250 per treatment. If you need several treatments to eliminate the infestation, here’s what your budget could look like.
| Number of Treatments | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $150–$250 |
| 2 | $300–$500 |
| 3 | $450–$750 |
| 4 | $600–$1,000 |
| 5 | $750–$1,250 |
Gnat Exterminator Ongoing Expenses
Here are a few ongoing expenses to consider with your gnat exterminator cost.
Ongoing Treatment
Ongoing treatments from a pest control service cost around $40 to $70 per month or $100 to $300 quarterly. If gnats continue popping up, you may want to consider routine visits from a professional insect exterminator.
DIY Prevention
After your exterminator finishes up the treatment, it’s important to keep up with routine DIY prevention. Most methods are very inexpensive and mostly require your time and dedication for maximum effectiveness, such as the apple cider vinegar or bleach methods. Be sure that you remove items that attract gnats to your home, including open food and water sources, organic materials, perfumes, and scented candles.
DIY Gnat Extermination vs. Hiring a Pro
Learning how to get rid of gnats on your own can potentially save you hundreds on treatment, but it takes dedication and often will take longer than professional treatment. Overall, DIY treatment is very inexpensive and can be done for under $20, depending on the method. For example, sticky traps cost between $6 and $15, while homemade vinegar traps cost pennies if you use recycled materials.
Still, a gnat infestation can be relentless, and if DIY treatments seem to only be a temporary fix for the situation—or if you just want them gone ASAP—hiring a local insect exterminator is the best route to take.
Cost of Common Gnat Exterminator Add-Ons
Unfortunately, one pest problem can lead to another. Since gnats are at the bottom of the insect food chain, an ongoing infestation can prompt larger pests to take up residence, too.
Cost to eliminate termites: $230–$2,500
Cost to exterminate bed bugs: $350–$5,000
Cost to eliminate termites: $230–$2,500
Cost to exterminate ants: $100–$500
Cost to exterminate spiders: $100–$300
Cost to exterminate wasps: $100–$1,300
Cost to remove mosquitos: $70–$500
Cost to exterminate cockroaches: $100–$600
Cost to exterminate fleas: $150–$400
Tips to Reduce Your Gnat Exterminator Cost
The easiest way to save on treatments and future exterminator visits is to eliminate what attracted the gnats to your home in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep costs down:
Before calling an exterminator, try to identify the source of the infestation. If it's a simple problem, such as overripe fruit or damp soil, you may be able to solve it on your own.
Get multiple quotes from different insect exterminators to compare prices and find the best deal.
Regularly clean your home and remove any open sources of moisture or food.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several possible reasons for a gnat infestation, and they vary based on the type of insect. One common reason is overwatering houseplants, which can create a moist environment that is attractive to fungus gnats. Another reason is leaving fruit out on the counter for too long, which can attract fruit flies. Drain flies are typically attracted by standing water and bacteria that are often the result of buildup or a clog in your drain or sewer line.
While they belong to the same general “gnat” category, fruit flies and fungus gnats are different insects. Fungus gnats are typically darker in color and have long legs, while fruit flies are usually lighter in color and have shorter legs. Fungus gnats are attracted to damp soil and decaying plant matter, while fruit flies are attracted to overripe fruit and other sweet substances.
It can take several days to a few weeks to completely get rid of gnats, though this timeline can vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the methods used to eliminate the gnats. During this time, it’s crucial to identify and eliminate the source of the infestation, such as removing any overripe fruit, decaying plant matter, or damp soil.