Highlights
Moths are not dangerous, though they do worsen allergy symptoms for some.
These insects damage food, clothing, and other belongings.
Hiring a pro for moth pest control averages $100 to $200.
This cost varies depending on infestation size, accessibility, and treatment method.
Other factors impacting costs include service contracts, travel fees, and other insects in the home.
Moths may not be dangerous, but they are still annoying to have buzzing about your home. These insects ruin stores of food, items of clothing, and any personal belongings they set up shop in. In other words, you should hire a local pest control pro to handle your moth infestation ASAP.
Exterminators charge an average of $150 to eliminate moths, with a cost of around $90 and a high cost of $370. Many factors, however, impact this overall cost.
| Minimum Cost | National Average Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $90 | $150 | $370 |
How Much Does It Cost to Exterminate Moths?
In most cases, eliminating a moth infestation costs between $100 to $200, but this price depends on a number of factors, such as infestation size, moth type, treatment method, and more.
Infestation Size and Location
Tackling smaller moth infestations costs less than larger ones. The average cost of $100 to $200 covers an average infestation of indoor moths in one or two locations throughout the home. If your moths have reproduced and moved in just about everywhere, you’ll pay extra, as your pro will mix and match treatment types to eliminate all of the insects.
Additionally, exterminating lawn moths costs extra, at $90 to $130, as the exterminator may contact a local professional landscaper for assistance.
Home Size and Accessibility
Average-sized homes of 1,500 square feet cost $100 to $200 for moth removal. Larger homes necessitate more labor and more treatment materials, so costs can rise up to $370. Have your home’s overall square footage available for the pro while gathering estimates.
Also, accessibility, or lack thereof, is a significant factor as exterminators consider treatment costs. If your moth infestation is tough to access, such as behind old items of furniture in the attic, it drives the price up, as it increases the time needed to complete the treatment. Pest control pros typically charge $50 to $75 per hour, so consider creating an accessible path to the infestation before they arrive.
Treatment Method
Depending on the infestation severity, the layout of your home, and the type of moths present, exterminators recommend several different treatment methods, each of which offers a unique cost range.
Parasitic wasps: This method involves pest versus pest in a fight to the death. Exterminators release a wasp species called trichogramma to battle your infestation. These wasps target moth eggs, laying their own eggs on top of them. This highly effective treatment is on the lower end, at around $90, but some exterminators recommend a follow-up appointment to ensure the removal of moths.
Heat treatment: Bugs hate the heat—it’s just science—so exterminators rely on it to eliminate certain types of pests. For this treatment, technicians expose moths to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or more. You’ll pay an average of $120 for heat treatment, but exterminators only recommend this treatment type when the pro knows exactly where the moths lay their eggs.
Chemical treatment: Standard chemical treatments are reserved for outdoor moths, as these sprays represent a health risk when used indoors. You’ll pay around $100 for a single pesticide treatment in a regular-sized yard. Larger properties accrue higher costs.
Fumigation: Fumigating is highly effective at removing moths, but exterminators require people and animals to leave during the treatment. Fumigating for moths does not require tenting, so the cost is in line with other treatment types, at around $150 per treatment.
Type of Moth
Different moth species require different tactics, so your costs fluctuate slightly according to the type of moth invading your home. If you believe you made a positive identification regarding moth type, tell your pest control specialist while gathering estimates and setting up consultations.
Factors Impacting Moth Extermination Cost
Some unique scenarios can influence the overall cost of moth extermination treatments.
Contracts and Follow-Up Treatments
Some exterminators prefer contracts over individual visits to ensure full and long-lasting moth removal. These contracts may save a bit from visit-to-visit but require recurring payments. Here is how these contracts typically break down.
| Service | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| One-time service | $100–$200 |
| Ongoing service initial visit | $150–$200 |
| Monthly pest control visit | $40–$70 |
| Quarterly pest control visit | $100–$200 |
| Annual pest control visit | $100–$300 |
Additionally, follow-up treatments may or may not bundle in with the overall cost. Discuss follow-up options with your potential pros before deciding on a technician. In any event, follow-up treatments are lower in cost than initial visits, at $30 to $60.
Other Pests
If the exterminator finds other kinds of insects roaming around your home, they’ll adjust the service plan. After all, pests attract other pests. Full-service pest control costs, on average, are between $200 and $600 and include a comprehensive service plan handling a multitude of pests, including moths, roaches, ants, and fleas.
Thanks to labor-intensive treatment procedures, some insects, like bed bugs and termites, cost more to remove. Termites, for instance, require a full tenting and fumigation procedure, costing as much as $8,000 for large homes.
Travel Fees
In most cases, exterminators don’t charge any additional travel fees. However, if you live in a remote location or if your home is well out of their typical service range, you’ll pay extra to the tune of around $1 or more for every mile outside of the standard service area. This additional fee adds on to each visit, so prepare accordingly and save money by hiring local exterminators.
Cost to Exterminate Moths Yourself
Some DIY cost-saving steps are worth pursuing, like setting up moth repellents, sticky traps, and cleaning with vinegar. Washing infected clothes with hot water or freezing items for 24 hours also helps. These methods are all budget-friendly, saving you nearly the entire service fee minus materials.
However, they are not nearly as effective as a professional treatment. To that end, the treatments exterminators use are not available to regular consumers, such as heavy-duty pesticides, fumigation chemicals, and parasitic wasps. If you’re really ready to kick moths out for good, you need to hire a professional.
Moth Extermination FAQs
How do I find an exterminator for moth removal?
Start by searching online and asking friends and family. Some exterminators are more well-versed in moth removal than others, so peruse their website ahead of time, searching for mentions of moths.
While on their website, look for any relevant licenses, certifications, and memberships to professional organizations. Also, look for liability insurance, as accidents happen when dealing with pesticides. Search for red flags online via the Better Business Bureau’s company database and by reading customer reviews online. Finally, give them a call to discuss the job.
What information should I have ready for my pro?
The big items of information to relay to your pro are the size and severity of the moth infestation, the overall square footage of your home, and any potential accessibility issues. If you’ve successfully identified the types of moths present in your home, let them know. If not, give them a general physical description. That should be enough for qualified pros. Finally, tell them your maximum budget and give them a general overview of your schedule to set up appointments.
How do I prevent moths from coming back?
Once your pest control pro removes moths from your home, ensure they don’t return by following some simple preventative and maintenance steps.
Deny them access indoors, so cover up any cracks in the exterior of your home and keep windows and doors shut.
Moth repellents and related DIY products are effective at keeping moths away.
Set up a service contract with a professional to regularly sweep for moths and other insects.
