Tick infestations can be a serious problem, putting your family and pets at risk for dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Professional tick control services typically cost between $200 and $500, with a national average of about $350.
The cost depends on several factors, including the size of your yard, whether you need indoor and outdoor treatments, and the frequency of service. While DIY methods can help reduce tick populations, hiring a pest control professional is the most effective way to eliminate ticks and keep them from coming back.
In this article, we’ll break down the costs of tick control, explain what affects pricing, and offer expert tips on keeping your yard tick-free.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
What Affects Tick Control Cost?
Several factors influence the cost of tick control, and exterminators consider these when giving estimates. While the list below covers the most common factors, prices may vary depending on your location.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Tick Service
Outdoor tick control usually costs more than indoor treatments because it covers a larger area and requires more setup time, equipment, and materials.
However, top pest control companies often recommend treating both indoor and outdoor areas at the same time. This approach ensures that ticks aren’t eliminated outside only to thrive inside your home. Treating both areas together provides better, long-term protection.
Size of the Home
Some companies charge by the square footage of a residence. This gives them an idea of how big an area they need to treat. However, this doesn’t account for any acreage where the house sits.
Acreage
The size of your property also impacts the overall cost. A one-acre lot typically costs around $200 to treat, while a three-acre property may cost about $400. Larger lots, especially those over five acres, often exceed $600 for full treatment.
Sanitation
Overgrown weeds, dense landscaping, and tall grass can increase the cost of tick control. These environments provide ideal hiding spots for ticks, making treatment more challenging. Homes located near wooded areas may also incur higher costs because ticks thrive in these regions.
Frequency of Service
Tick control services offer flexible plans, allowing you to choose the frequency that best suits your schedule and budget. Here are some common options:
Annual Tick Contract
If you’re looking for year-round protection, an annual tick control contract might be your best option. These plans typically cost between $50 and $100 per month, making them the most affordable option over time.
However, these plans require monthly visits, which can add up. If you prefer a less frequent schedule, a seasonal or quarterly plan may be a better fit.
Seasonal Tick Contract
Seasonal tick control plans provide protection during peak tick activity in the spring and summer. These agreements typically involve treating outdoor areas every 21 days, which is the minimum interval allowed by most tick-killing insecticides.
Each treatment costs around $100, making seasonal plans more affordable than annual contracts. If you only need protection during tick season, this plan can save money while maintaining effective control.
Quarterly Contracts
Quarterly tick control plans offer a balance between cost and convenience. With this option, a technician treats your property every three months, providing ongoing protection without requiring monthly visits.
These plans typically cost between $150 and $200 per treatment, making them a practical choice for homeowners who want reliable tick control without frequent service appointments.
One-time Tick Service
A one-time tick treatment typically covers both indoor and outdoor areas of your home. This option is best for homeowners looking for a quick, single treatment to eliminate an existing tick problem. The average cost ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the size of your property and the severity of the infestation.
Guarantees
Most annual and seasonal tick control contracts come with a warranty. If ticks return after treatment, the company will usually provide a follow-up treatment at no extra cost. However, quarterly and one-time services often don’t include these guarantees, so it’s important to ask about warranty details before signing up.
Signs & Causes of Tick Infestation
Ticks are common in many areas and can be hard to spot. Different tick species may infest your home or yard, so it’s important to recognize them early.
Dog Ticks
Dog ticks range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, depending on how much they’ve fed. They’re reddish-brown with gray markings on their backs and are commonly found in northern coastal areas of the United States.
Deer Ticks
Also known as black-legged ticks, these pests are most common in the Midwest and complete their two-year lifecycle in stages. Adults are active in spring and fall, while nymphs and larvae are more active during summer.
You can identify deer ticks by their distinct black or dark brown legs. Males are slightly smaller than females, and the nymphs are so tiny that they’re often hard to spot.
Lonestar Ticks
Lonestar ticks, found primarily in the Midwest, also have a two-year lifecycle. Males and females are caramel-colored, but females are easy to identify by the distinctive yellow star marking on their backs.
All ticks are parasites meaning they feed on human or animal blood. Without it, they would die.
Health Risks Associated with Ticks
Ticks aren’t just a nuisance—they can spread serious diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the most common tick-borne illnesses:
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most well-known bacterial infection spread by ticks. Common symptoms include:
- A red rash or bullseye-shaped mark at the bite site
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
Antibiotics typically clear up Lyme disease within one to four weeks. However, if left untreated for more than a year, it can lead to serious complications like heart problems, facial paralysis, or long-term neurological issues.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is another bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, with about 5,000 cases reported each year. Symptoms often include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
Antibiotics can treat RMSF, but if left untreated, it may lead to long-term complications such as:
- Loss of coordination (ataxia)
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Tissue damage leading to gangrene
Other Tick-Borne Diseases
Other diseases carried by ticks include:
- Anaplasmosis: This infection attacks red blood cells and causes fever, anemia, and elevated liver enzymes.
- Babesiosis: Found mostly in the Midwest and Northeast, babesiosis mimics malaria with symptoms like fever, anemia, and fatigue.
- Ehrlichiosis: This bacterial infection targets white blood cells, leading to headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
You can try tackling a tick problem yourself, or you can call in a professional pest control service. Here’s a breakdown of what each option involves and how the pros ensure effective tick treatment.
Step 1. Assessment
Start by inspecting your home and yard for signs of a tick infestation. This is the first step professionals like Orkin technicians take before treating an area. A thorough inspection helps ensure effective treatment the first time around.
Step 2. Treat Your Pets For Ticks
Treating your pets for ticks is just as important as treating your home. You can take them to a groomer or use a specialized tick shampoo at home. Keeping your pets tick-free will help prolong the effectiveness of any treatment.
Step 3. Pre-Treatment Prep
Clear away any weeds, tall grass, leaf piles, and mulch from your yard to eliminate tick hiding spots. Indoors, wash pet bedding and thoroughly clean carpets and rugs where ticks can thrive. Aptive Environmental technicians emphasize that proper sanitation is key to lasting tick control.
Step 4. Outside Treatment
Spraying your yard can be tricky without the right equipment. While a handheld sprayer is convenient, it may not apply enough product to cover your yard effectively. Professionals like Terminix use high-pressure equipment to treat entire yards efficiently, ensuring thorough tick elimination.
Step 5. Inside Treatment
For indoor tick control, spot treatments with residual sprays can help. Be cautious when treating pet bedding—avoid soaking it with liquid. You can also use dry insecticide powders in cracks and crevices to maintain long-term protection.
Tick Prevention Tips
- Keep grass trimmed and remove leaf piles and mulch to eliminate tick hiding spots.
- Vacuum regularly indoors to reduce tick populations.
- Treat pet areas, such as dog houses and kennels, with a residual insecticide.
- Wear long sleeves and use insect repellents when spending time in tick-prone areas.
What’s the Standard Tick Removal Process?
Hiring a pest control company to handle a tick infestation follows a standard process. Here’s what you can expect when a professional exterminator treats your home.
Order and Scheduling
Most pest control companies offer a free quote before starting tick treatment. Be cautious of companies that try to upsell additional services. While bundling services like cockroach prevention can be a good deal, focus on eliminating the tick problem first—you can always add extra services later.
Inspection and Identification
A professional exterminator won’t start spraying the minute they arrive. Instead, they’ll inspect your home and yard to identify tick hotspots. A thorough inspection ensures they target problem areas and move any obstructions before applying treatment.
Outdoor Spray
Most tick control plans include outdoor spraying, but it’s best to confirm this when scheduling. Always ask for details about the products used and request a chemical report after treatment. If you have concerns about pesticides, don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Indoor Treatment
Pay close attention when the technician treats the inside of your home. Different pest control companies use various methods, and some are safer than others. Avoid foggers, which are rarely used these days. Look for companies that use knock-down sprays with permethrin or other EPA-approved insecticides.
Sometimes, exterminators may apply dry materials like boric acid in wall voids or on carpets. If you’re uncomfortable with these treatments, let the technician know—there are always safer alternatives.
Follow-up Service Calls
Most tick treatment plans are one-time services, but there’s often flexibility for follow-up visits. If you already have a pest control contract, adding tick service may qualify you for a discount or a follow-up inspection. This ensures your tick problem is fully resolved without extra hassle.
A Final Word About Tick Treatments
Relying solely on insect repellents won’t keep ticks away—you need stronger measures to eliminate them for good.
If you choose a DIY approach, always read pesticide labels carefully and wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, and overalls.
If hiring a professional makes more sense, research local exterminators by checking online reviews or asking friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. Finding a reliable pest control company is the best way to protect your home and get rid of ticks for good.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
