How Much Does a Mice Exterminator Cost? (2024 Guide)
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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.
What Factors Affect Mice Extermination Pricing?
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 Trap | How It Works | Price* | Effectiveness and Experience | Humaneness |
---|---|---|---|---|
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:
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.
What Questions Should You Ask an Exterminator Before Hiring Them?
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.