How Much Does a Rat Exterminator Cost?

3 pros!
Rat exterminator cost varies widely depending on factors such as the type of rat and how many.
Need to know rat exterminator cost? You’re hardly alone. Encounters are common, especially in big cities. From large brown rats scurrying across storm drains to black rats climbing trees and hopping onto roofs, rats live almost everywhere people live.
They’re excellent invaders, too, able to squeeze through holes barely the diameter of a quarter. That includes swimming through sewer pipes, meaning yes, rats can come up through your toilet.
Despite how common rats are, many people don’t feel comfortable admitting when one shows up near or in their home. Here’s what you need to know about rat exterminator cost if you’ve encountered this resourceful rodent.
Average rat exterminator cost
The national average cost of setting up 10 rat traps typically ranges between $100 and $575, but may be more or less depending on where you live.
What is a group of rats called?
A group of rats is called a mischief: A cute name for an animal many homeowners find anything but cute.
A variety of factors impact rat removal cost. For example, does the job require tamper-resistant traps? Can you remove them, or will the traps need to be removed by a professional?
Speaking of, who should you hire? Exterminators can perform some basic rat control, but an infestation likely requires a wildlife control operator. Whereas exterminators largely deal with insects, wildlife experts specialize in trapping and removing animals such as groundhogs, snakes, squirrels and, of course, rats.
Other factors impacting rat exterminator cost
Rat removal and extermination costs depend on the number of rats, the complexity of the job site and the extent of rat damage. A reputable wildlife expert or rat exterminator likely will not provide an estimate until after inspection. To clear the population, the pro needs to know:
- How many rat access holes must be blocked or repaired?
- How many rats will be caught and removed?
- How many rat nests, droppings and hoards must be cleared?
And of course, the type of rat can impact cost, as that affects the strategy needed to defeat it. A packrat, for example, will collect objects from around your property. A Norway rat — also called a brown rat — will line its nest with fibers and fluff picked up from your floors and outside.
Weigh options carefully if you get multiple estimates. Rat exterminator prices may be less than those of wildlife removal operators, but the approach may be less comprehensive. Rats may re-enter, or the exterminator may miss some, including live young still in your home.
What about the DIY cost of rat extermination?
Many home and business owners understandably want rats gone as quickly as possible. However, do-it-yourself rat and mice removal may be worth trying if you know it’s only a single, rogue rodent you’re dealing with.
Mechanical rat traps, such as simple Victor spring-and-wood models, might cost you only about $2 online or at a local hardware store. Some tips for setting up the trap:
- 1. Wrap dental floss around the bait pan. The rat will snag its teeth on the floss.
- 2. Smear peanut butter on the floss and pan. Peanut butter is great bait for squirrel traps, too.
- 3. Grind a candy spice drop into the peanut butter, floss and pan. Its gooeyness will help snare the rat.
- 4. Set the trap at a right angle to a wall the rat is likely to scurry along. The rat will encounter the bait end as it runs.
If you choose the DIY option, remember that rats carry diseases, so use gloves and keep your distance from the dead rat.
Have you dealt with rats? Share what you learned with other readers in the comments section below.