How Much Does Moth Extermination Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $200 - $370
Moth extermination costs $150 on average, though it can range between $200 and $370, depending on home and infestation size.
On average, moth extermination costs $150, but this service can cost between $200 and $370. Your final cost will depend on several factors like home size, infestation size, and location.
Moths may not be dangerous, but these insects can cause issues by ruining stores of food, items of clothing, and any personal belongings they set up shop in. Let’s review the cost factors involved with moth extermination and when to hire a pest control professional.
- Average
- $150
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $500
Moth Extermination Cost Factors
In most cases, eliminating a moth infestation costs between $100 to $200, but this price depends on a number of factors, such as infestation size, moth type, treatment method, and more.
Home Size Accessibility
Average-sized homes of 1,500 square feet cost $100 to $200 for moth removal. Larger homes necessitate more labor and more treatment materials, so costs can rise up to $370. Have your home’s overall square footage available for the pro while gathering estimates.
| Home Size in Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $100–$200 |
| 1,000 | $100–$250 |
| 1,500 | $150–$375 |
| 2,000 | $200–$500 |
| 2,500 | $250–$625 |
Accessibility
Accessibility, or lack thereof, also is a significant factor as exterminators consider treatment costs. If your moth infestation is tough to access, such as behind old items of furniture in the attic, it drives the price up, as it increases the time needed to complete the treatment. Pest control pros typically charge $50 to $75 per hour, so consider creating an accessible path to the infestation before they arrive.
Infestation Size
Tackling smaller moth infestations costs less than larger ones. The average cost of $100 to $200 covers an average infestation of indoor moths in one or two locations throughout the home. If your moths have reproduced and moved in just about everywhere, you’ll pay extra, as your pro will mix and match treatment types to eliminate all of the insects.
Additionally, exterminating lawn moths costs extra, at $90 to $130, as the exterminator may contact a local professional landscaper for assistance.
| Infestation Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $90–$100 |
| Medium | $100–$200 |
| Large | $200–$400 |
| Severe | $400–$500 |
Treatment Method
Depending on the infestation severity, moth type, and layout of your home, exterminators recommend several different treatment methods, each of which offers a unique cost range. The table below provides an overview of common treatment methods along with their average costs.
| Method | Description | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Parasitic wraps | This method involves pest versus pest in a fight to the death. Exterminators release a wasp species called trichogramma to battle your infestation. These wasps target moth eggs, laying their own eggs on top of them. This is a highly effective treatment, but some exterminators recommend a follow-up appointment to ensure the removal of moths. | $90–$100 |
| Heat treatment | Bugs hate the heat, so exterminators rely on it to eliminate certain types of pests. For this treatment, technicians expose moths to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or more. | $120–$300 |
| Chemical treatment | Standard chemical treatments are reserved for outdoor moths, as these sprays represent a health risk when used indoors. Larger yards will cost more to treat. | $100–$250 |
| Fumigation | Fumigating is highly effective at removing moths, but exterminators require people and animals to leave during the treatment. Fumigating for moths does not require tenting. | $150–$350 |
Location
Your final price for moth extermination will depend on where the infestation is located in your home. Exterminators charge less to remove moths outdoors and in smaller, easy-to-access areas. On the other hand, spaces that are larger and more difficult to reach will often be more expensive to treat.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | $100–$200 |
| Kitchen | $150–$350 |
| Bathroom | $100–$200 |
| Closet | $100–$200 |
| Yard | $100–$500 |
| Entire home | $350–$500 |
Type of Moth
Different moth species require different tactics, so your costs fluctuate slightly according to the type of moth invading your home. If you believe you made a positive identification regarding moth type, tell your pest control specialist while gathering estimates and setting up consultations.
Travel Fees
In most cases, exterminators don’t charge any additional travel fees. However, if you live in a remote location or if your home is well out of their typical service range, you’ll pay extra to the tune of around $1 or more for every mile outside of the standard service area. This additional fee adds on to each visit, so prepare accordingly and save money by hiring local exterminators.
Ongoing Costs for Moth Extermination
Some exterminators prefer contracts over individual visits to ensure full and long-lasting moth removal. These contracts may save a bit from visit-to-visit but require recurring payments. Here is how these contracts typically break down.
| Service | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| One-time service | $100–$200 |
| Ongoing service initial visit | $150–$200 |
| Monthly pest control visit | $40–$70 |
| Quarterly pest control visit | $100–$200 |
| Annual pest control visit | $100–$300 |
Additionally, follow-up treatments may or may not bundle in with the overall cost. Discuss follow-up options with your potential pros before deciding on a technician. In any event, follow-up treatments are lower in cost than initial visits, at $30 to $60.
Cost of Common Moth Extermination Add-Ons
In addition to getting rid of moths, professional exterminators are also trained to handle a variety of other household infestations. Here’s how much you might pay for additional pest control services:
Flea extermination: $75-$400
Spider removal: $100-$500
Mosquito control: $350-$500
Rat extermination: $170-$600
Cockroach extermination: $100-$600
Skunk removal: $300-$600
Bat removal: $100-$1,500
DIY Moth Extermination vs. Hiring a Pro
While DIY moth extermination may be the least expensive way to keep moths at bay, hiring a moth control pro can spare you time, stress, and future infestations. A pest control professional will use their expertise and high-grade products and equipment to assess your unique issue and put together an effective treatment plan. While DIY treatments may be enough to get rid of a few moths in your home, it’s best to let a pro take care of severe infestations.
Cost to Exterminate Moths Yourself
You may be able to significantly lower the cost of moth extermination by handling minor infestations yourself. Purchasing repellents, traps, chemical aerosols for fumigation, and outdoor sprays can range from $20 to $150. Some DIY methods may be virtually free besides the cost of materials, like cleaning with vinegar, washing infected clothes with hot water, and freezing items.
However, DIY remedies aren’t nearly as effective as a professional treatment. To that end, the treatments exterminators use are not available to regular consumers, such as heavy-duty pesticides, fumigation chemicals, and parasitic wasps. If you’re really ready to kick moths out for good, you’ll probably want to hire a local mosquito control service.
Moth Extermination: How to Save on Services
While it’s true that extermination costs can add up quickly, there are realistic ways to save money. Consider taking the following steps to reduce costs:
Take preventative measures: You may be able to repel moths by keeping your home clean, washing your clothes before storing them, and then packing seasonal clothes in a dry, airtight space.
Handle the issue immediately: Since moths aren’t dangerous to humans, you might not think too much of a moth sighting in your home. However, taking care of the problem before it worsens can save you money.
Try DIY treatments: Hiring professional help is usually the best route for severe infestations, but DIY treatments may be successful at getting rid of a few moths. For example, you could try a homemade mosquito repellent to remove moths from your home.
Get multiple quotes: Before hiring a pest control pro, reach out to at least three companies for a consultation and quote to make sure you get a fair price.
Follow your pro’s treatment recommendation: Once your pro assesses the situation, they may advise a treatment plan that consists of several methods or rounds. Of course, this may drive up your final cost, making it tempting to opt for the least expensive treatment plan. It’s usually best, to move forward with the full treatment as prescribed by a reputable exterminator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by searching online and asking friends and family. Some exterminators are more well-versed in moth removal than others, so peruse their website ahead of time, searching for mentions of moths.
While on their website, look for any relevant licenses, certifications, and memberships to professional organizations. Also, look for liability insurance, as accidents happen when dealing with pesticides. Search for red flags online via the Better Business Bureau’s company database and by reading customer reviews online. Finally, give them a call to discuss the job.
The big items of information to relay to your pro are the size and severity of the moth infestation, the overall square footage of your home, and any potential accessibility issues. If you’ve successfully identified the types of moths present in your home, let them know. If not, give them a general physical description. That should be enough for qualified pros. Finally, tell them your maximum budget and give them a general overview of your schedule to set up appointments.
Once your pest control pro removes moths from your home, you can prevent a recurring infestation by taking a few simple steps. Keep moths from coming indoors by covering up any cracks in the exterior of your home and by keeping windows and doors closed. You could also regularly treat your home with a store-bought or DIY moth repellent. t4, set up a service contract with a professional to regularly sweep for moths and other pests.