Rat Exterminator Prices

This article will discuss how much you can expect to pay for rat removal services and other factors that influence the price.

How Much Does Hiring a Rat Exterminator Cost?

Rats can be extremely persistent. They can be identified by scratching houses around the house, a strong ammonia odour, droppings, and footprints.

If they get into your house, they can ruin your insulation, flooring, ceiling joists, etc. In addition, they gnaw on other items in the house, such as paper and plastic.

A rat exterminator can also contaminate food and frequently carry diseases, leading to the transmission of Weil's disease, Rat-bite fever, and Salmonellosis. As a result, they must be addressed as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, it's also difficult to keep rats out of your house because they can fit through gaps as small as 5mm.

They also prefer small spaces that provide adequate shelter, warmth, and closeness to food sources, so the ceiling and wall cavities are extremely popular.

You will almost certainly notice the following:

• Small black droppings on your property
• Nests found in cavities, lofts, floorboards, and cupboards
• Gnaw marks and damage to cables, surfaces, and food supplies. Treatment for these infections varies greatly. Of course, prevention is the best way to prevent an infestation, so make sure all small gaps 5mm or bigger are completely sealed with wire wool or something similar

To get rid of rats without hiring a professional pest control company, you can use poisons and traps from hardware stores. However, because these poisons can be extremely dangerous to humans and pets, you must strictly adhere to the instructions.

The cost of catching a rat range between £80 and £150. This price, however, can vary according to the size of the infestation and the number of rats to catch.

If your home has been overtaken by rats and requires thorough cleaning and disinfection, be aware that this will cost more than catching the pests due to removing dead rats and any other contamination caused by rodent droppings and urine nesting materials.

If it is obvious that your home or business has become riddled with rats and you necessitate 24-hour on-call service, the cost will be higher than the average pest control job.

The possible explanation for this is that the cost of hiring a team to arrive first thing in the morning and work until late at night can be prohibitively expensive.

Exterminator Prices

The average rate exterminator costs around £100 on average.

Supply Only Costs

Rats are one thing that the world will never be free of. New poisons and formulas from major pest control companies have greatly aided over the years, but there is no room for complacency.

Of course, hiring a professional pest control company is the simplest way to deal with your rats. However, you can do it DIY and save hundreds of pounds per year. We'll go over the supply-only costs here.

You can buy a rat trap for £9 - £20. This high-volt electric shock kills the rat rapidly and painlessly when it moves on two metal plates and completes the circuit. They are suitable for use in the farmhouse, dry barns, and outbuildings.

Rat poison costs £6 - £15 depending on the amount and quality of the rat poison. Rat killer kits cost £15 - £35. Rat killer kits mix the best products to eliminate your rat pest problem quickly and effectively.

Rat trap cages are excellent for use in gardens or at home. They are extremely effective at controlling and monitoring rat infestations. Rat cages are meant to capture rats without endangering other animals that may enter by accident, as no poisons or 'snap traps' are used.

Because it is illegal to return captured live ship rats to the wild, the captured rat must be humanely killed. These usually cost £19 - £20.

You can also use an at repellent, which usually plugs into an electrical socket and emits a sound that only rodents can hear; these typically cost £20 and £30.

Additional Costs

You could decide to have additional work done when eliminating rats to give your garden extra protection! Minor details can add up to a high cost. As a result, we'll cover the extra costs of exterminating rats here, so you know what to expect.

Wheelie Bin Cover

Rats are attracted to where food is stored. Therefore the smell of your bin will bring rats to your home, so it is a good idea to prevent this from happening with a wheelie bin cover!

The average material cost to build a wheelie bin store is around £100 for a standard single bin store, but fancy triple bin designs can easily cost over £500!

The average carpenter will typically charge around £150 per day just for labour, and unless you are a very skilled woodworker, you will need one! Simply enter your postcode to start the installation of receiving quotes through our free online system.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of a wooden bin cover.

Pest Control

If you have other pests in your home, it could be good to have pest control come in and eliminate this problem. Pest Control costs vary depending on the type of pest, and once the specialists recognise the pests or their location, they will decide which method to use.

For example, the average treatment costs for a single wasp nest or cockroaches are £50 but treating carpets or furniture for various fleas can raise the price to £150.

Bed bugs have the highest pest control costs due to their stubbornness to leave your warm furnishings, taking longer to finish and frequently returning for multiple treatments, with the cost reaching nearly £250 in some cases. This figure may be higher if bed bugs have infiltrated several rooms in your home.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of pest control.

Reseal Windows and Doors

If a rat has made its way into your home through cracks and openings in your entryways, you'll want to reseal your windows and doors. The average price of resealing your doors and windows is determined primarily by the number of windows and doors being resealed.

The materials are relatively inexpensive (around £5 - £10), so you won't be breaking the bank just on materials.

The cost of resealing double glazed windows, single-glazed windows, and doors will typically range between £25 and £70 per window or door.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of resealing windows and doors.

Outside Socket

You could put an outside socket on the side of your house to plug a rat repellent to keep those rats out of your garden for good! The hourly rate of your electrician is the main cost of installing an outdoor socket.

It is a simple task that should take two hours to complete. Expect to pay around £85 for a low-cost socket in an easily accessible location. Expect to pay no more than £245 for a more complex socket that may be more difficult to install.

The location of your outdoor socket can influence the difficulty and, thus the cost of your project. However, if you can be flexible and work with your electrician to select a location, you can save money.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of an outside socket.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The price of labour is usually included with the overall cost of the rat elimination. Here we will go through the timescales and what could increase the overall duration.

It usually does not take long to sell the house. The length of time required to seal rats out of a home is determined by the home's condition and structure.

For example, a contractor may fail to seal a gap in a foundation wall where a pipe passes through, allowing rats to enter through this single opening. This simple fix will only take a few minutes to complete.

Things can get much worse at the other end of the spectrum. Multiple entrances, second-story points of entry, sub-standard foundation vents, and other factors complicate matters and make repairs more difficult. However, most homes take a half-day and a day to seal up.

Second, the rats can be trapped and removed once the house has been sealed. Both exclusion and trapping must be thorough and remove all rats, and potential entry points to be successful.

Trapping all the rats is the more difficult of the two and can necessitate more visits and effort than exclusion work.

Cost Factors of Hiring a Rat Exterminator

Several factors influence the cost of removing rats from your home. When pest control companies merge all of these, there is usually a cumulative effect. As a result, it's critical to comprehend the numerous factors determining your estimate.

Type of Rat

Norway rats tunnel into the ground to build their nests and typically follow sewer pipes to infiltrate homes from below. Roof rats are unique. They gain access to attic spaces by tree climbing. During the winter, they prefer to nest in toasty thermal insulation.

Both species present distinct difficulties. So it comes down to which one the exterminator feels most at ease treating, which is the essential reason for getting at least a few figures.

Dimensions of the Infestation

The number of rats in the area isn't as important as the possibility of future infestations. As a result, the rat removal cost will typically be determined by the potential for rodent infestations to spread rapidly.

That implies the specialist will have to work fast and may have to use more material. This increased urgency could potentially raise the price.

Size in Square Feet

The size of the home generally influences the total cost of significant pest control services. However, it is not a precise science.

Without measuring your home, the technician will usually note the square footage. Unless you have an abnormally large property, you will not pay more in most cases.

Methods of Treatment

Trapping rodents is a time-consuming process. As a result, if that's the only method available, it could significantly raise your price. As a result, it's critical to inquire about the procedures the technician will employ during the procedure.

Expect to get a better deal if they only place a few rodenticide bait boxes all over your house. This is especially true if no follow-up service is provided.

You should, however, insist on a mixture of rodent control techniques. This includes techniques such as trapping, baiting, or mechanical exclusion. It's also good to request a follow-up service visit, even just to remove dead animals.

Location

Prices are generally higher in major cities such as London and Manchester, and they tend to be higher in southern England. However, the price also varies according to the extent of the problem, so if you caught your mouse problem early, the price would be much lower than if you have many litters living in various locations throughout the house.

What's Involved in Rat Extermination?

Trapping several rats after noticing them may appear victorious on occasion. That, however, is only the tip of the iceberg. There could be an entire rat family hidden in nesting sites or burrows. Poisoning is also ineffective because rat corpses emit an unpleasant odour and are more difficult to locate.

As a result, it's upsetting to consider that there may be more than one living in your home, sneaking into the kitchen and leaving the countertops unsanitary with their greasy bodies. As a result, here are two situations in which you must hire a rat exterminator:

• When you find evidence of a rat infestation in your home, you should contact a rat exterminator
• After discovering the nest/den: once you've pinpointed the exact location of the infestation, it could be a nest or a burrow. After this point, you must immediately contact a professional to treat the infestation
• A more complex rat control treatment is required in the most serious cases where the asset has already suffered extensive damage to surrounding key areas. This category most likely includes properties with large attic or basement areas

Here we will go through the process of rat extermination:

Step 1

It is always necessary to inspect the potential rat entry points first. A rat extermination specialist will do so by inspecting the interior and exterior. They will look for the signs mentioned above, such as rat droppings, marks or biting, and property damage.

Step 2

Once the infestation has been confirmed, your rat extermination specialist will look for entry points. Drains, drainpipes, sewers, and air vents are examples of such points. They will then block these points to prevent further rat intervention.

Step 3

There are several methods for catching rats, including placing rat poison bait in tamper-resistant bait stations. After explaining it to you and agreeing to it, your tradesperson will set the trap. The trap will be set based on the severity of the infestation and your family's safety.

Step 4

Your rat extermination specialist should return after this. A follow-up visit will usually happen within 5-7 days of the initial visit to inspect the building and remove the rat's corpse.

Can I Exterminate Rats Myself?

There are numerous methods for exterminating rats, some of which allow us to exterminate them ourselves to save time and money on hiring an expert. We'll go over various methods for DIY rat extermination here.

While DIY rat control products are a cost-effective way to control rat problems in low-risk areas, professional pest control is required in high-risk areas with more founded rat colonies or where there is a repeat infestation. Products were developed and manufactured following strict guidelines to meet UK and EU standards.

If you have a bigger infestation and cannot control it, you will need more specialised treatment that is not available in shops.

Examine The House

Before getting rid of rats, you must first conduct a thorough home inspection to determine where they are coming from.

Inspect the outside of the house for obvious access points, paying special attention to broken drains, cracks in your garage, gaps around vents, or spaces in the foundation.

Examine the vents, drains, equipment lines, and other possible access points inside the house. You can seal the entry points and set traps once you know where the rats are getting into the house.

Fill Any Gaps

Rats do not require a large entry point to enter your home. They can fit through any hole that two fingers can fit through. Close any gaps in your interior and exterior walls with this in mind.

Replace these gaps with wire wool, steel kick plates, or caulk for long-lasting results. Check them a few times a month to ensure they're in good working order.

Cleaning

Rats adore shelter and hiding places. One of the most effective ways to get rid of rats without using poison is to remove their hiding places. Remove clutter from your home and move items away from the walls.

Keep all waste and food in closed bins, quickly clean up any spills, and clean your pipes and drainages.

Consider Trapping

As rodenticides and harsh toxins have fallen out of favour or been banned, trapping has emerged as the most effective method of eliminating rats; it is what kills rats quickly and effectively. In addition, trapping is a non-poisonous method of controlling rat populations.

If you're going to set your traps, make sure you use plenty of them and place them in high-activity areas. For example, use peanut butter, unsalted seeds, bananas, or apples as bait.

Employ Natural Deterrent Techniques

A few simple, fresh ingredients can go a long way toward getting rid of rats.

Try these natural alternatives:

• Spread peppermint oil, chilli powder, black pepper, and cloves along the outside of the house to deter rats from entering. Then, apply your preferred substance liberally along the line between your foundation and the ground
• Sprinkle crushed pepper (or use pepper spray) near rat holes and openings. This irritates the rats' noses and airways, discouraging them from returning to your home

Types of Rat Extermination

Rat infestations appear to frequently coexist. Given the amount of damage, rodents can cause, this is a major issue. Rodents transmit diseases, pollute the environment, and threaten human health.

Fortunately, cutting-edge rat control methods have evolved significantly over time. We now have more and more effective methods than ever before for controlling rat populations.

Furthermore, we can now tackle pest control in a more rapid-kill manner. Newer traps give us the tools to achieve a natural balance in our pest-control efforts.

For each user, different rat methods have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we can determine which option is best for any given pest control situation by weighing the pros and cons of each option.

Rat Trap

Rat traps are one of the first to have a high success rate. Although newer options may be more efficient, rat traps frequently injure rats rather than supplying a quick and efficient end. Furthermore, you can easily injure yourself while putting it together. For a good reason, the phrase "building a better rattrap" became popular.

Even when these traps were relatively new to the market, people were dissatisfied with them. Rat traps can be reused; however, they will wear down and are frequently discarded with rats, resulting in waste.

Pros

• ✔ Simple
• ✔ Low-cost
• ✔ Reusable

Cons

• ✖ Prone to misfire
• ✖ Rodents are more likely to be injured than killed
• ✖ Can occur during setup

Electric Rat Trap

Electric rat traps can be powered by your home's electrical system or separate batteries. Rats enter the trap to investigate the lure you've placed inside.

The trap will now deliver a strong enough electric shock to stop the rat's heart. The trap can be reused. However, it must be cleaned, cleared, and reset after each use.

The most significant disadvantage stems from ethical concerns. If you've ever received a mild electric shock, you know that it's not a pleasant experience. An electric trap must deliver a high voltage charge to a rat or mouse to be effective.

Electric traps simply don't cut it when it comes to quick kills. Although highly reusable, batteries must frequently be swapped or charged.

Pros

• ✔ Reusable
• ✔ Relatively inexpensive

Cons

• ✖ Only slightly more humane than snap traps
• ✖ Must be cleared and reset after each successful use
• ✖ Only suitable for use indoors

Live-Capture Traps

Live-capture traps work by simply capturing rodents. Lures placed within the trap entice rats and mice. Once inside, the trap will spring, preventing the rodents from escaping.

The main disadvantage is that rodents may suffer unnecessarily if the traps are not checked once or twice a day. Otherwise, a rodent may become trapped without food or water. The most significant advantage of the live trap is right there in the name.

These are some of the few mouse or rat traps that allow for live release. After the trap is triggered, the rodents can be released back into the wild. Of course, this isn't always the best option.

For example, it may not fare well if a house mouse is released into a wintery and snow-covered wilderness, away from its familiar habitat and food sources.

They are also extremely reusable. However, you must check it at least once per day while in operation.

Pros

• ✔ Reasonably priced
• ✔ Simple to use and set up

Cons

• ✖ Constant attention is required to keep a rodent from suffering unnecessarily
• ✖ Relocation of trapped species is required, which can be disastrous for the animals

Rubber Ring Traps

Rubber ring traps use a lure to entice rodents. When they enter the trap, a rubber ring springs around their chest or neck.

The ring instantly contracts, bringing the situation to a close. The trap does require attention and cleaning after each use.

Once the supply of rings in each trap has been depleted, it must be reloaded with new rings. They are highly reusable, but used rings and lures must be replaced.

Pros

• ✔ Low cost
• ✔ Killing time is relatively short

Cons

• ✖ Maintenance is required after each use

Bait Stations and Poison

Bait stations work by tricking rodents into eating poisonous substances. Bait stations and other poisonous options should generally be avoided. The action method is usually not fully effective until the rat has suffered for several hours or even days.

Worse, pets or even children may consume the material rather than the intended mice or rats. This means that it can endanger everyone in a household.

Pros

• ✔ Low cost

Cons

• ✖ Inhumane
• ✖ Pets, other animals, and children are all endangered
• ✖ Predation (bobcats, raptors, foxes, etc.) poses a secondary poisoning risk to other animals

Goodnature Traps

Goodnature traps work by attracting rodents with a lure. When animals enter the trap, it goes into action. Once the rodent's head is in place, a CO2-powered piston will be triggered.

This guarantees that the process is both quick and painless. In addition, the trap will automatically reset after being triggered. The trap employs an ALP or Automatic Lure Pump to attract a rodent's attention.

This ALP only requires replacement every six months. The Goodnature traps are more expensive than the other options, but they are always operational and do not need to be reset with an active CO2 canister.

When the cost is averaged over the whole period of operation, it quickly becomes a cost-effective option.

Pros

• ✔ Ethical and quick kill
• ✔ Maintenance is only required once every six months of operation
• ✔ The higher initial cost pays for itself over time

Cons

• ✖ The initial cost is slightly higher than the alternatives

Hiring A Rat Exterminator Checklist

• Is the pest control company licenced and insured? In addition, they must demonstrate their technicians' qualifications and membership in a suitable trade association, including the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or even the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA)
• Is the company's website current and professional? Read each page to see what information it contains. You want a knowledgeable site that tells you about the company's history and the kinds of job it specialises in
• How long has the business been in business? You must hire someone who can demonstrate experience and has many clients, resources, and knowledgeable staff. If you own a takeaway restaurant, hiring a pest control company that deals with farm pests are pointless. As a result, ensure that the company is appropriate for your industry

FAQs

Sources

https://www.pestcontrolsupplies.co.uk/how-to-get-rid-of-rats-32-w.asp
https://www.wildlifecompanytn.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-rid-of-rats
https://apex-pest-control.co.uk/rat-exterminator
https://smithspestmanagement.com/blog/post/how-to-get-rid-of-rats-in-your-home/
https://goodnature.co/blogs/news/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-most-popular-rodent-control-methods