We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.More
A specialist places a mouse trap that is disguised as a natural rock in the yard of a home near some green bushes.

How Much Does a Mice Exterminator Cost? (2024 Guide)

Get a quote from exterminators near you

Invalid Zip Code

Join the 6,755 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days

Powered by Home Service Quotes

Author Icon By Brenda Woods Updated 03/19/2024

The average cost of mice extermination ranges from $200–$600 for most homeowners. This typically includes a full-service professional visit, an inspection, treatment, and exclusion—that is, preventing mice from returning— However, an especially large or troublesome rodent infestation might bring the overall mice extermination cost to around $1,000 to treat.* Mice are notorious for infesting homes, especially when outside temperatures drop during fall and winter. Pest control companies also offer general treatment plans for mice and other common pests. Based on our research, the national average of an annual plan that includes monthly or semimonthly treatments costs $100–$250 for the initial visit and $50–$150 for each follow-up visit.**

*All cost data in this article was sourced from HomeAdvisor unless otherwise specified.

**One-time treatment costs were sourced from online quotes we requested from Terminix. This cost is for general pest treatment and does not include rodent exclusion fees.

Termites
Pest/Termite Control

Get a customized plan based on your home’s needs

Get Free Estimates
Termite Inspection
Pest Inspection

Get quarterly inspections to monitor for sign of pests

Get Free Estimates
Pest Control
Pest Extermination

Find the right plan to eliminate pests from your home

Get Free Estimates

Here are the primary factors that determine mice removal costs:

Infestation size

The size of the infestation plays a large factor in mice removal services. A large infestation requires more intensive pest control treatments. Pricing for controlling a small mice infestation typically starts at around $200; a severe infestation may cost as much as $600 to treat. You should also expect rodent exclusion services to require more time and labor for a severe infestation. Rodent exclusion is the process of sealing mouse entry points throughout your home.

Infestation location

If the mice have nested in your yard, shed, or other occupied room of the house, the cost to remove them will be lower. However, nests in hard-to-reach places like ceilings, attics, basements, and foundations will typically be pricier to remove.

Use of live traps

Despite being reusable, live traps cost five to 10 times more than traditional snap traps. This may be reflected in your service cost. Live trapping may also include travel fees for relocating the mice.


Should You Attempt DIY Mouse Removal?

If you notice occasional mice activity in your home but see little evidence of a larger infestation, DIY mouse removal may be a good option. You, as the homeowner, can purchase traps or poison baits from many popular retailers, such as Lowes, Walmart, or The Home Depot.

The table below compares several types of DIY mice control options, their respective costs, and what to expect when using them:

Type of TrapHow It WorksPrice*Effectiveness and ExperienceHumaneness

Snap traps

With this type of trap, a metal bar breaks a mouse’s neck

$2.48 (pack of four traps)

Effective for small infestations and reusable but sometimes results in a messy cleanup

Kills mice quickly and is considered one of the more humane options

Glue traps

This type of trap keeps a mouse in place until it starves or becomes dehydrated

$4.98 (pack of four traps)

Disposable design that is effective for small infestations

Kills mice slowly and is considered inhumane by many

Live traps

These traps capture live mice for later release

$14.20 (pack of two traps)

Effective but requires frequent monitoring and traveling a short distance to release the live mice

Is a humane, non-lethal pest control option

Bait stations

These traps poison mice

$12.98 (one trap with 20 bait refills)

Highly effective but a potential safety hazard for pets that find the poison or consume the poisoned mice

Is among the more inhumane options, killing mice slowly by preventing their blood from clotting

Electronic traps

These traps electrocute mice

$24.98 (one trap)

Effective for small infestations and kill mice quickly

Has disputed humaneness, killing mice quickly but not without pain

*Pricing sourced from Lowes and Home Depot


Should You Hire a Mice Exterminator?

DIY rodent removal pest control can be effective, but hiring a professional exterminator is the most reliable way to manage your rodent problem. Nearly 50% of respondents from our 2022 consumer survey said they went on to hire a mouse or rat exterminator after trying DIY extermination methods.

Using an Exterminator

Consider contacting a pest control company when DIY methods have fallen short of resolving your mouse problem. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may want to contact an exterminator as a first course of action. Professional exterminators have undergone training in the safe handling of pesticides and are knowledgeable about identifying mouse entry points in a home.
This is what the process looks like for most professional exterminators:

After contacting a pest control professional, ask if they offer a free inspection. The company will send a specialist to your home to evaluate the nature and scope of the infestation.
Your pest control professional will advise you on their recommended treatments. This may include trapping, baiting, and applying repellents. They may also recommend rodent exclusion services to seal entryways and prevent recurring infestations.
The exterminator will perform the pest control services on the scheduled date. If you signed up for an ongoing pest control plan, your home will receive follow-up treatments several times throughout the year.

Below, we’ve listed the cities most affected by mouse infestations. Click on your city for a roundup of the extermination companies available in the area for local pest control.


Questions to ask

Pest extermination can protect your home and provide peace of mind when performed properly. However, with the application of pesticides, there are inherent risks to your home and health. That’s why it’s important to hire a reputable professional to avoid health risks. Here are some questions to ask when choosing a rodent control service:

Training and experience with treating specific pests speaks volumes about a pest control professional’s ability to do the job right. We recommend asking the company about its level of experience with mice extermination before signing a contract.

A written estimate provides a full breakdown of the charges to expect for your pest control service. Read the estimate carefully and ask questions about any fine print to ensure the initial estimate will not change on the day of your service. 

Exclusion is an important part of a comprehensive rodent extermination service. Your pest control technician should identify the location of the mouse infestation and provide a strategy for blocking the mice from reentering the home.

Any reputable pest control provider should prioritize the safety of its customers. Ask about the risks associated with the proposed pest management plan and what precautions your provider will take to keep you and your family protected.

Many reputable pest control providers back their services with satisfaction guarantees. This may include a full refund for unsatisfactory service or free reservice for recurring infestations.  

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted strict certification requirements that pest control professionals must meet to operate legally. Individual states may impose additional requirements that can typically be found through each state’s Department of Agriculture website. 


Is Mice Extermination Worth the Cost?

Professional mouse extermination costs will generally be between $200 and $600. Your final pricing will depend on factors such as the infestation severity, recommended treatments, and accessibility of infested areas in your home.

We created a review methodology to identify the nation’s best exterminators. Terminix is our top pick for its reliable pest control and around-the-clock customer support. Orkin is another excellent choice, with many locations offering same-day service.


FAQs About Mice Extermination Cost

How do I know if I have a mouse infestation in my home?

There are several signs of a mouse infestation. You will likely find trails of small droppings throughout your home, especially in areas with potential food sources, such as your kitchen. These droppings are dark brown and typically measure around one-quarter inch. Mice also scratch at walls, and you may hear them scurrying at night.

Can a mouse infestation make you sick?

A mouse infestation can potentially harbor contagious diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mice transmit these diseases through their saliva, urine, and feces.

What is integrated pest management?

An integrated pest management (IPM) plan combines several strategies for residential and commercial pest control. IPM may include the use of pesticides, but it will also incorporate environmental strategies based on the pest’s behavior, habitat, and life cycle. For example, pheromones may be employed to discourage reproduction.


Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.