Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and DIY solutions rarely eliminate them completely. If you’re dealing with an infestation, hiring a professional exterminator is often the fastest and most effective way to reclaim your home.
The cost of professional bed bug treatment ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on the severity of the infestation and the treatment method. Heat treatments, fumigation, and chemical solutions each have pros and cons, but the best approach depends on your home’s specific needs.
In this guide, we’ll break down how exterminators identify, treat, and eliminate bed bugs — so you can choose the best solution for your situation.
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.
Why Hire an Exterminator for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are incredibly resilient, making them one of the hardest pests to eliminate without professional help. While DIY treatments like sprays and mattress encasements might seem like a cheaper alternative, they rarely eliminate the entire infestation — especially eggs hidden in walls, furniture, or carpeting.
Why DIY Methods Fail:
❌ Store-bought sprays often kill only visible bed bugs, not hidden ones.
❌ Bed bugs can develop resistance to over-the-counter insecticides.
❌ Homeowners may not find all infested areas, allowing the bugs to spread.
Professional exterminators, on the other hand, use a combination of heat treatments, fumigation, and targeted insecticides to ensure complete eradication. They’re trained to inspect hard-to-reach areas—such as electrical outlets, wall voids, and furniture seams—where bed bugs love to hide.
How Much Does an Exterminator Cost?
Professional bed bug treatment costs $500 to $5,000, depending on:
? The size of the infestation (small vs. widespread)
? The treatment method (heat, fumigation, chemicals)
? The home size (apartments are cheaper to treat than large houses)
Most exterminators offer free inspections and quotes, so it’s best to get multiple estimates before deciding. If bed bugs return after treatment, many companies also offer warranties or follow-up visits to ensure the infestation is fully gone.
How Exterminators Identify Bed Bug Infestations
Exterminators use various methods to assess homes for bed bug infestations. These techniques help determine the severity of the problem and develop an effective treatment strategy.
Visual Inspection
Most exterminators will perform a visual inspection as a primary way of identifying a bed bug infestation. Exterminators carefully examine common hiding spots, including mattress seams, box springs, headboards and bed frames, cracks in furniture, baseboards, and wall joints, as bed bugs prefer making their home in these spaces.
They look for live bugs, eggs, shed skins, and fecal matter. Adult bed bugs, often dark brown, reddish-brown, or black, resemble apple seeds in shape and size. Young bed bugs, known as nymphs, are smaller and translucent or yellow, while eggs are tiny and pearl-white.
Canine Inspection
Many pest control companies now use specially trained dogs to detect bed bugs. These canine inspectors can sniff out bed bugs with remarkable accuracy, even in areas that might be challenging for humans to access. Bed bug detection dogs can identify all life stages of bed bugs, including eggs, making them a valuable tool in early detection and treatment.
Professional Bed Bug Pest Control Methods
Exterminators use several proven methods to eliminate bed bugs. The right treatment depends on infestation severity, budget, and home type.
| Treatment Method | Best For | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Treatment | Severe infestations, chemical-free solutions | $2,000–$4,000 ($1–$3 per sq. ft.) | Kills all bed bugs in one session, reaches deep into cracks | Expensive, requires professional equipment |
| Chemical Treatment | Mild to moderate infestations | $2–$5 per sq. ft. (Avg. $1,750 total) | Cost-effective, targets hard-to-reach areas | Requires multiple treatments, bugs may develop resistance |
| Fumigation | Large homes, widespread infestations | $4–$8 per sq. ft. | Most effective for severe cases, penetrates all hiding spots | Requires vacating home for 24–72 hours, costly |
| Steam Treatment | Small infestations, sensitive areas (mattresses, furniture) | $2–$7.50 per sq. ft. | Non-toxic, safe for homes with children & pets | May require multiple sessions, limited reach |
| Cryonite (Freezing) | Spot treatments, businesses, chemical-free needs | $3–$6 per sq. ft. | Non-toxic, kills bed bugs instantly | Less effective for large infestations, may need follow-ups |
Which Treatment Should You Choose?
- If you need a one-and-done solution, heat treatment is best but pricey.
- If you prefer a budget-friendly option, chemical treatment works but takes longer.
- If you have a major infestation, fumigation is the most thorough method.
- If you only have bed bugs in one spot, steam or cryonite may be enough.
Most exterminators combine multiple methods to maximize results. Always ask what they recommend based on your home’s infestation level.
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is one of the most commonly used and effective methods for eliminating bed bugs. With this treatment method, an exterminator raises the temperature in infested areas to levels lethal to bed bugs with portable heat chambers. Heat treatment is particularly useful for severe infestations or when chemical treatments have to be avoided. It’s effective against all life stages of bed bugs, including eggs, and can also penetrate deep into cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide, so it’s truly an all-encompassing method of handling infestations.
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000, or $1 and $3 per square foot, for professional heat treatment.
A typical heat treatment session lasts between six to eight hours. The entire process, including preparation and cool-down, may take a full day, but in most cases, this method doesn’t require a follow-up treatment.
Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatments use insecticides specifically designed to target bed bugs, including both contact killers and residual insecticides.
Chemical treatments tend to be used with other methods as a follow-up treatment rather than a stand-alone. They can be effective for ongoing prevention and for targeting bed bugs in hard-to-reach areas as well, but require bed bugs to come into contact with the chemicals to be affected.
Professional chemical treatment for bed bugs can range between $2 to $5 per square foot. The average national cost is $1,750.
Initial chemical treatments typically take a few hours to apply. However, multiple treatments over several weeks will probably be necessary for complete eradication if bed bugs have infested your home.
Fumigation
Fumigation is a comprehensive treatment that involves sealing the entire home or building and filling it with a gaseous pesticide. This method uses foggers, also referred to as “bug bombs” to fill the space with fumes that will kill the bed bugs when they come into contact with it. It’s typically reserved for severe, widespread infestations that have not responded to other treatment methods, multi-unit buildings, or homes with many hiding spots for bed bugs, as the gas can reach a wider area than other methods of dealing with bed bugs.
Fumigation is generally the most expensive bed bug treatment option. Costs can range from $4 to $8 per square foot for an average-sized home.
The fumigation process itself usually takes 24 to 72 hours, but preparation and post-treatment procedures can extend the total time. As with heat treatment, fumigation usually only requires one treatment session.
Steam Treatment
Steam treatment is similar to the heat treatment method, but uses high-temperature steam instead of heat chambers. It’s capable of killing both adult bed bugs and eggs, but it’s usually used to complement other strategies, such as chemicals. This method can be useful for treating mattresses, furniture, and other areas where you can’t apply chemicals without presenting a health risk.
According to Angi, steam treatment can cost between $2 and $7.50 per square foot, making it more affordable than heat treatment or fumigation.
Steam treatments are relatively quick, often taking just a few hours per session. However, unlike heat treatment, multiple sessions may be required for complete eradication.
Cryonite Treatment
Freezing, also known as cryonite treatment, is a specialized service that uses carbon dioxide snow to freeze and kill bed bugs. This non-toxic method is effective at all life stages, which makes it ideal for sensitive areas like hospitals, schools, and food processing facilities since they have restrictions on chemical usage.
Prices for freezing range between $3 and $6 per square foot. Sessions are typically short, lasting a few hours, but multiple treatments can be necessary.
How To Choose the Right Exterminator
To choose the right exterminator, look for pest control companies with specific experience in bed bug control. I would recommend you get quotes from multiple exterminators before deciding, so you have a full picture of your options.
While the price point may be an important factor, it’s necessary to ensure that the company has the necessary licenses and insurance for your state. Check reviews, ask for references, and inquire about any warranties or guarantees on their work, as I’ve found these show the quality of the work you can expect. You should also ask about the various treatment options they offer and why they recommend a particular method for your situation. If they can’t explain why they would recommend something, I’d steer clear.
How Long Does it Take Exterminators to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
The timeline for bed bug eradication can vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the treatment method used. Most times, homeowners can expect the process to take between 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish.
Initial treatments often show quick results, with a significant reduction in bed bug activity within the first few days. However, bed bug eggs can be resistant to some treatments, and you may have to worry about newly hatched bugs. Most exterminators recommend follow-up treatments to eliminate every bed bug hatchling so you don’t have to worry about the infestation flaring up again.
Exterminators typically schedule follow-up inspections and treatments at 2-week intervals. This allows them to monitor the situation and address any remaining bed bug activity. Rushing the process or skipping follow-up treatments can lead to re-infestation.
Final Thoughts About Bed Bug Extermination
Dealing with a bed bug infestation can be a stressful and challenging experience. While DIY methods are tempting, professional extermination often provides the most effective and long-lasting solution. Exterminators bring specialized knowledge, equipment, and experience to the table, increasing the chances of successful bed bug elimination.
If you’re currently dealing with bed bugs, I recommend getting an inspection from Terminix. Terminix is one of the largest pest control providers in the country, and offers a guarantee so you have access to unlimited visits between services if your bed bug problem returns.
If you don’t actively have a bed bug problem but are looking for preventive treatments, I recommend exploring exterminators who specialize in bed bug prevention policies.
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.
