Pests and vermin can be health and safety hazards. From commercial areas to residential, pests must be controlled. Pest control costs vary depending on many factors. However, pest control is an essential step that you can’t ignore when living in the UK.
The most common pests in the UK are Mice, rats, squirrels, moths, Bed bugs, Carpet beetles, cockroaches, wasps, ants, fleas, etc. They can enter the house through holes or any kind of opening. Pest control is certainly a difficult task.
Hiring professionals can be a better idea than opting for a DIY. But what about the pest control cost? Calculate wisely and plan a budget for pest control.
Now, let’s delve into the factors that might influence the cost of pest control in London or across the UK.
Factors that affect the pest control cost
Some factors influence the cost of pest control. Let’s figure out the factors in detail:
1. Pesticide type
Depending on the pesticide types, the pest control expense can increase. You may use a strong or light pesticide to kill insects, rodents, and other pests using pesticides.
2. Pest type
Some of the pests are easy to detect, and some are not. The pest that is disturbing you can be a squirrel or a bed bug. Pest controllers may charge more for hard-to-locate pests.
3. Size of the property
If you are opting for pest control in 4 bedrooms, that will cost more than a single bedroom’s pest control, certainly. Larger size or number of rooms will affect the cost.
4. Method of treatment
Chemical, Physical, Biological, and Electrical methods are popular in the UK for pest control. Each method has individual procedures. The pest control cost depends on the treatment method as well.
5. Number of visits
Professional pest controllers clarify how many times they will visit for the service. You can expect to pay high if you choose or require a larger number of visits for pest control.
6. Accessibility of infested areas
Some roof spaces, voids, chimneys, or drain holes can be hard to access. In complex cases, pest controllers need more time to inspect the infestation, and that influences the cost.
7. Expertise of the pest control technicians
Experienced pest controllers often charge high rates for their services. A trainee or an inexperienced pest controller keeps their charges lower than experts.
8. Emergency or same-day callouts
Pest controllers need time to inspect, determine, and destroy the pests and vermin. If you need an emergency callout, expect to pay extra charges.
How much pest control costs in the UK?
Pest control costs can vary depending on the location in the UK. Here are the average starting ranges for pest control in the UK:
| Average Pest Control Cost Per 2-Visit | Average Pest Control Cost Per 2-Visit |
| Mice/rats/rodents | Starts from £180 |
| Squirrels | Starts from £200 |
| Bed Bugs | Starts from £190 (per property) |
| Carpet Beetles | Starts from £220 |
| Cockroaches | Starts from £190 |
| Wasps | Starts from £137.50 (per Nest) |
| Ants | Starts from £165 (per Treatment) |
| Fleas | Starts from £150 (per property) |
Pest control expense by method
Pest control can be done using chemical, biological, physical, or electrical methods. Let’s have a look at how much each method approximately costs.
| Pest Control Method | Cost range |
| Chemical Pest Control | £10 – £700+ |
| Biological Pest Control | £40 – £70 per month |
| Physical Pest Control | £75 – £500+ |
| Electrical Pest Control | £65 – £525+ |
Pest control costs by visit time
Pest control fees increase if the pest control team needs to visit multiple times. Usually, for complex cases, stubborn pests like cockroaches, squirrels, or bed bugs require 2-3 visits to control them.
| Pest Control Visit Count | Approximate Cost (Per Hour) |
| 1 or single visit | Starts from £75 |
| 2 times visit | Starts from £149 |
| 3 times visit | Starts from £160 |
DIY vs professional pest control: cost, pros, & cons
Pest control is a tough job indeed. It takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to eliminate the harmful pests. Let’s see an overview of the cost, pros, and cons of DIY vs professional pest control in the UK.
DIY pest control
Although we discourage a DIY step when it comes to pest control. However, a DIY can be the first attempt at a smaller scale of pest control.
Cost: A DIY pest control cost is highly affordable. It costs around £5 – £129.99+ for DIY pest control.
Pros:
- Cost-effective.
- Flexible.
- Suitable for pest control in a single room or a small space.
Cons:
- Highly risky for health.
- It can be toxic.
- Children or animals can be affected.
- Inspection can go wrong.
- DIY tools and products might not be strong enough to eliminate the pest infestation.
- An attempt to block holes can drive the pests to find a new opening.
- Some pest control methods are restricted without a license.
Professional pest control
Professional pest control cost is high, but it the efficient. Professionals like BioActive Pest Control ensure that each and every inspection, pest control, and monitoring is done by an experienced team with multiple visits.
Cost: The Professional pest control cost range starts from £75 per hour and £300+ daily. Professional pest workers deal with the task as a team and eliminate the root cause by identifying it.
Pros:
- Identifies the root cause and eliminates pests.
- Sufficient for widespread infestations.
- Professional experts make it happen efficiently and ensure there is no health risk.
- They are licensed, certified, and maintain the UK standards of pest control.
- Destroys insects, rodents, and other pests while eliminating their chance to come back.
- Fills the holes precisely.
Cons:
- It can be a little bit costly.
- The schedules of popular experts are often difficult to access.
Pro tips to save on the cost of pest control
Investing in pest control can be expensive for you sometimes. Here are some essential tips that might help you save on pest control budget, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
I. Monitor carefully and detect early
Before you hire professional pest controllers, check it yourself first. Monitor the number, size, and variety of pests in your house. If you can detect the pests earlier, a single visit by professionals might be enough.
II. Try natural remedies
Natural remedies are effective and non-toxic. You can seal the blocks and holes. Keeping food sources away from the pests is another effective tactic. A clean environment and some herbs may be effective as well to prevent pests from roaming around your bedroom.
III. Compare quotes
Comparing at least 3-4 filtered quotes is important. Get the best quotes from some renowned pest control companies. Now compare them in terms of services and money. Pick your convenient one.
IV. Look for a bundle offer
Sometimes pest controllers offer a bundle of services as a package. These packages are often cost-effective. Bundle offers are not always available. So, grab the offers if you get them at your convenience.
V. Opt for local council offers
Check if the local council offer is available. Local councils sometimes offer free pest control services. You can check your tenancy agreement to see if there is a statement of pest control service or not.
VI. Try the basics with DIY
You might not find out all the holes. But you can do the basics. Some pre-work may save you money and buy you time to focus on other things. Also, keep the environment clean to prevent pests.
Final words
Often, people wonder about pest control costs in the UK. But cost is not the main thing. Finding a trusted pest control company plays a major role here. An experienced pest control agency does the job within time and with efficiency. It’s amazing to offer the job in safe hands.
You can follow our pro tips. Thus, the cost may be less to some extent. Plan your pest control budget first, and then opt for a service. Free your house from the roaming infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on pest control costs in the UK
1. How much does it cost to get pest control out?
Pest control costs vary depending on many factors. However, a typical pest control cost starts from £75 per hour and £300+ daily. Professionals need 2-3 visits for stubborn pests. So, they charge accordingly.
2. What is the hardest pest to get rid of?
The hardest pest to get rid of is bugs, mainly bed bugs. Also, rodents, cockroaches, lizards, etc, are hard to eliminate like bed bugs.
3. What is the most common pest infestation?
The most common pest infestations are rodents, rats, cockroaches, bed bugs, squirrels, lizards, etc. They produce rapidly and spread all over the house.
4. Is pest control worth the money?
Pest control is worth the money. Pest infestations cause damage to the house and health. Some damages are irreparable. So, you must invest in pest control to prevent harmful insects and damage.
5. How to choose the best pest control company?
Choosing the best pest control company can be tricky. Check certifications, expertise, testimonials, and reviews. In Bioactive Pest Control, we’ve expert NPTA-certified pest controllers. You can contact us for pest control, any queries related to pest control, or for any help.