How Much Do Rat Exterminators Cost? | Find Rat Control Services Near You
Rat exterminators cost an average of $329 for standard treatment. For homes that are more infested, rat control services might run $488 – $600.
How much do rat exterminators cost? How do exterminators get rid of rats? Is it worth it? Here’s what you need to know.
Did you know that there are over 64 types of rats and there are billions on this planet? While some people certainly find them cute, one thing’s for certain: the wild variety is a pest and can pose several threats to you and your loved ones. Here are a few common types of rats:
- Brown Rat
- Black Rat
- Bulldog Rat
- Bush Rat
- Polynesian Rat
- Ricefield Rat
As much as you might think they’re cute and cuddly, rats must be eliminated from your property. Otherwise, there could be serious consequences.
So how much do rat exterminators cost? Read on to find out the answer to this question and more.
How Much Do Rat Control Service Cost?
The average cost of an exterminator for rats anywhere between $135 to over $700. Considering the huge range in price, you probably want to find out more so you can get a better estimate on how much it’ll cost you to have professionals come to your property.
Keep reading for some factors that affect how much you have to pay for rat extermination services.
Location of the Rats
Whether the rats are indoors or outdoors will affect pricing. Generally, you’ll pay a little more for outdoors ($200 to $450) than indoors ($200 to $350). This is because there are significantly more things to take care of to make your property unattractive to rats.
Also, where they are indoors will matter as well. For instance, if they’re in the attic, it’ll cost you about $300 to $500.
But if they’re in the walls, that price increases to $450 to $600. This is because the pest control company will have to open up your drywall and then you’ll need to have it replaced.
How Many Visits It Takes
How many visits it takes to exterminate rats will depend on the extent of your infestation. If you’ve called an exterminator early on in the infestation, then it can take as little as 15 hours to treat.
Considering that a second visit is always necessary, this visit should be included in the price they quote you. This is because the exterminators have to come check/remove the traps and remove the dead rats for you.
If you need more visits, then the average cost for rat extermination is between $50 to $150 each time. They might also charge an hourly rate that ranges from $20 to $60 per hour.
As you can imagine, a serious infestation on a large piece of property can end up being quite costly because the pest control company has to invest so much time and resources into ridding you of rats.
How Do Exterminators Get Rid of Rats?
There are several ways that exterminators get rid of rats. Most of them cost around $100 to $300, so the important part is having them check out your property and helping to choose the right method for you.
If you don’t have a big infestation, they might choose to use snap traps. It’s highly efficient for just a handful of rats, but you’ll have to disposes of the dead rat yourself, which may not be so appealing.
They can also use glue traps, but they’re not very humane. In that case, you can always ask them to use a live trap, as it’s the most humane option possible. Any rats caught are released back into the wild.
Other options include:
- Bait stations
- Baiting trap
- Electric trap
The most humane option out of these is the electric trap, as any rats who happen upon the trap die immediately from a high-voltage shock.
Are Rats Dangerous?
Rats can be dangerous to you and your family. While they prefer to hide, if you try to interact with them, they might bite or scratch you. These may not feel too serious, but they can always transmit diseases to you through these bites and scratches.
In addition, they leave droppings and urine around your house, which can also transmit diseases. These can also be transmitted on any surface they touch, which means your food can be potentially contaminated.
Some diseases they can transmit include:
- Black plague
- Salmonellosis
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Tularemia
Not to mention, rats can also cause serious structural damage to your home. Their teeth are ever-growing, which means they’ll gnaw at any wood and hard surfaces they find. They’ll also nest in places like your walls, foundation, and wood piles.
Where Do Rats Come From?
Rats first originated in Asia and Australia. However, they’re terrific at reproducing and are great opportunistic animals. It should come as no surprise that they quickly got around the world by doing things such as sneaking onto ships.
Wherever they landed, they quickly adapted to their environment and proliferated. This is why you’ll find plenty of rats all over the world now.
Interesting Facts About Rats
Did you know that there are actually 2 types of rats you’ll find in the city? They are the Rattus rattus and the Rattus norvegicus.
Rattus rattus is the “black rat” and they originated from India. They’re also known as the “ship rat” because they’re the ones that snuck onto ships.
Rattus norvegicus is the “brown rat” and they’re actually twice as big as black rats. They’re also known as the “sewer rat.”
If you know people who keep rats as pets, these are of the Rattus norvegicus breed. While wild rats can be real pests, pet rats are actually very intelligent and loyal, which makes them excellent companions.
Take Care of Your Rat Problem Today
Now you have a good idea when it comes to rat exterminators cost, as well as rats in general. By having this information, you’ll be able to better discern between shady and reputable exterminators.
So if you suspect you have a rat problem, don’t wait. The best decision is to take immediate action, before things get out of hand. It’ll take less time and money to take care of.
Are you ready to get rid of your rat problem? Then start by comparing quotes on our website now!