Pest control price guide

How much does pest control cost?

A general pest treatment for a typical Australian house costs around $180–$400, and a unit or apartment around $150–$250. A termite inspection with a written report usually runs $200–$400. Specialist work costs more: bed bugs often $400–$1,000 over several visits, and treating an active termite problem commonly $2,000–$5,000.

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General pest treatment (house) $180–$400 Inside and out for cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish. Bigger homes and heavy infestations sit at the top.

Termite inspection $200–$400 A visual check with moisture and thermal tools, plus a written report. A pre-purchase timber pest inspection is similar.

What common pest controller jobs cost

Job	Typical price	Notes
General treatment, unit or apartment	$150–$250
General treatment, 3 to 4 bedroom house	$180–$400	Inside and out; most come with a service warranty
End-of-lease pest treatment	$150–$250	Often internal only; check what your lease actually asks for
Flea treatment	$150–$300	Vacuum before and after for it to work
Rodent treatment (rats and mice)	$200–$400	Baiting plus a check for entry points; follow-ups may be extra
Bed bug treatment	$400–$1,000	Usually two or more visits
Termite treatment for an active colony	$2,000–$5,000	Chemical barrier or baiting system; depends on the home's size, slab and access

Indicative prices for typical Australian homes, including GST. A guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

What drives the price

Pest control is priced on what you’re dealing with, how much house there is to treat, and how bad things have got.

The pest. Australian cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish are routine and covered by a general treatment. German cockroaches, bed bugs and rodents take more product, more skill and usually a follow-up visit, so they cost more.

Size and access. A bigger home takes longer, and the technician needs to reach the roof void, the subfloor and the outside perimeter. Tight crawl spaces and roofs with little room to move slow things down.

How established it is. A seasonal spray to keep things in check is quick. An infestation that’s been building for months means more product and return visits.

Warranty. A longer service warranty is built into the price, so compare what each quote covers and for how long.

Termites are a separate job altogether. It starts with an inspection and a written report, then a treatment plan for a chemical soil barrier, a baiting system or both. Barrier prices follow the length of the home’s perimeter and how much concrete, paving or garden has to be worked around.

Getting a fair quote

Ask which pests the treatment covers, which products will be used and how long they need to dry before kids and pets go back in, and how long the warranty runs. For termites, get a written inspection report before you accept any treatment quote, and be wary of anyone who finds termites and wants a deposit on the spot.

Pest controllers need a licence to use pesticides professionally, so ask for the number and check it on our licence checks page.

You don’t need three companies through the house to know if a price is fair. One quote from a vetted local, checked against the ranges on this page, will do. That’s how needatradie works: we match you with one pest controller whose licence, insurance, ABN and reviews we’ve already checked.

Pest controller or someone else?

Possums are protected wildlife in most states, so moving them on has to follow your state’s rules and is usually a job for a licensed wildlife catcher. A swarm of honey bees can often be collected by a local beekeeper. Once termites are dealt with, damaged timber is a job for a carpenter or a builder, and if rats have been chewing in the roof, get an electrician to check the cabling.

Pest control prices by city

City	What to expect
Sydney	Middle to top of the national range, and termite risk is high across much of Sydney, so a yearly termite inspection is worth budgeting for.
Melbourne	Often a little cheaper for general pest work; termite risk is generally lower than in Sydney or Brisbane, though some suburbs still see regular activity.
Brisbane	Mid-range on price, but the warm, humid climate keeps cockroaches, ants and termites active for most of the year.
Perth	Mid-range; termites are a real risk in many Perth suburbs, so add a termite inspection, especially before you buy.
Adelaide	Usually a little under the east coast, with summer the busy season for ants and spiders.
Gold Coast	Similar to Brisbane, with a long warm season for cockroaches and termites and plenty of end-of-lease treatments in rentals and holiday units.
Newcastle	Often a touch under Sydney prices, with termites a common worry in the region's older timber and fibro homes.
Canberra	Usually at the higher end; cold winters slow most insects down, so demand bunches up in spring and summer.

Pest control costs: common questions

How much is a visit from pest control?

For a general treatment covering cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish, expect around $150 to $250 for a unit and $180 to $400 for a house. Termites, rodents, fleas and bed bugs are usually priced separately. Very cheap advertised specials can grow once extras are added on the day, so ask exactly what's included before you book.

Is pest control worth paying for, or can I do it myself?

Supermarket sprays and baits are fine for the odd ant trail or a few cockroaches. It's worth paying a professional for German cockroach infestations, rats in the roof, bed bugs and anything to do with termites, where DIY often just pushes the problem somewhere else. Professionals use products you can't buy off the shelf, and most give a service warranty.

What time of year is best for pest control?

Late spring and early summer suit a general treatment, because insects are becoming active and the treatment carries you through the warm months. Termites are most active in warm, humid weather, but inspections can happen any time. The Australian Standard for termite management recommends an inspection at least once a year, and more often in high-risk areas.

How do I prepare my house for a pest control visit?

Clear kitchen benchtops and put food and utensils away, cover or move fish tanks, and take pets and their bowls outside. Make sure the technician can reach the roof space, the subfloor and under the sinks. Most treatments need you out of the house for a few hours while surfaces dry, but follow your technician's advice for the products they use.

How can I check a pest controller's licence?

Pest controllers need a state licence to apply pesticides professionally. In NSW it's issued by the Environment Protection Authority, and other states run their own schemes, often through the health department. Ask for the technician's licence number and check it with your state's regulator. Our licence checks page shows where to look in each state.

What does a general pest treatment include?

Usually an inside and outside treatment for cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish, including the roof void and the outside walls of the house. Termites, rodents, fleas, bed bugs and wasps are normally separate jobs. Ask how long the warranty runs for each pest, because it often differs, and whether a follow-up visit is included if they come back.

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