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Find a licensed pest controller you can trust

Cockroaches in the kitchen, rats in the roof or a nagging worry about termites, a good pest controller tells you straight what you're dealing with and treats it safely. We match you with one licensed local who knows the pests in your area.

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What a pest controller can do

General pest treatments for cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish
Termite inspections, including pre-purchase timber pest inspections
Termite treatments, from chemical soil barriers to baiting and monitoring systems
Rats and mice in the roof, walls or garage, plus finding how they get in
Bed bug and flea treatments, usually over more than one visit
Wasp nest removal around eaves, sheds and play areas
End-of-lease pest treatments for renters
Yearly termite inspections and ongoing pest maintenance

When to call a pest controller

Some pests are a nuisance. Others do real damage. A few cockroaches after a warm night or a line of ants across the bench are worth keeping an eye on, but they’re not an emergency. A German cockroach problem in the kitchen, scratching in the ceiling at night, or bites that keep turning up in the morning are different. Those tend to get worse quickly, and shop-bought sprays rarely reach the source.

It’s time to call someone in when:

You’re seeing cockroaches in daylight, which usually means there are plenty more you’re not seeing
There are droppings, gnaw marks or scratching sounds in the roof, walls or pantry
You’ve found mud tubes along a wall or the edge of the slab, or timber that sounds hollow when you tap it
You’re buying a house and want a timber pest inspection before you sign
You’re moving out of a rental and the lease asks for a pest treatment
There’s a wasp nest near a doorway, the clothesline or where the kids play

Termites: the one to take seriously

Most pests cost you sleep. Termites cost you money. They eat timber from the inside out, so by the time you notice a sagging floor, a door that suddenly sticks or skirting boards that crumble when you press them, they’ve often been at it for a while. Many home insurance policies don’t cover termite damage, so check yours rather than assuming.

The best protection is a regular inspection by a licensed technician. They’ll check the roof space, the subfloor, garden beds against the house and anywhere timber meets soil, then give you a written report. If they find activity, the usual options are a chemical barrier in the soil around the house or a baiting and monitoring system. A good technician will explain why one suits your home better than the other, rather than steering you to the dearer option.

One tip if you do find termites: don’t spray them or knock the mud tubes about. Disturbing them can send them somewhere else in the house, which makes them harder to find and treat.

What to check before you hire

Pest control means pesticides in and around your home, so it’s licensed work right across Australia. Every state and territory licenses pest control, but the body that issues the licence varies, and in some states both the business and the technician need one. In NSW and the ACT it’s the Environment Protection Authority. In Victoria, Queensland, WA and SA it’s the state health department. Queensland also needs a separate QBCC licence for termite inspections and chemical termite treatments. Our licence checks by state show who to check with where you live, and whether there’s a public register you can search.

Beyond the licence, ask:

Which pests the treatment covers, and which ones cost extra
What products they’ll use, and how long you need to stay out
How long the warranty lasts, and whether a follow-up visit is included if the pests come back
For termites, whether you’ll get a written report with photos

What pest control costs

As a rough guide, a general treatment for a house sits around $180–$400, and a unit or apartment around $150–$250. A termite inspection with a written report is typically $200–$400. Bed bugs, rodents and termites are priced separately, and a barrier or baiting system for an active termite colony commonly runs $2,000–$5,000, depending on the size of the house and how easy it is to get under and around.

Be wary of very cheap specials that grow once extras are added on the day. Our pest control price guide has the full breakdown and how prices compare between cities. Treat it as a guide, not a quote.

How needatradie matches you

Tell us what you’re dealing with and your postcode, and we match you with one licensed local pest controller. Not a list of five, and your details don’t get sold to a pile of businesses who all ring at once. We check the licence, insurance, ABN and reviews before anyone is sent your way, and it’s free for homeowners.

Looking for someone in a particular city? See pest control in Brisbane, pest control in Sydney or all the areas we cover. Or skip the reading and get a free quote.

Before you hire

A current pest management licence. Every state and territory licenses pest control, but who issues it varies, from the EPA in NSW and the ACT to the health department in Victoria, Queensland, WA and SA.
In Queensland, a QBCC termite management licence as well for any termite inspection or chemical termite treatment.
A written report after a termite inspection, with photos and a note of any areas they couldn't get to.
Clear advice on the products used, how long to stay out, and what to do with kids, pets and fish tanks.
A service warranty in writing that says which pests it covers and for how long.
Public liability insurance, an ABN and reviews from recent local jobs.

Indicative prices

Typical ranges for common jobs. A guide, not a quote.

General treatment, unit or apartment $150–$250
General treatment, 3 to 4 bedroom house · Inside and out; most come with a service warranty $180–$400
End-of-lease pest treatment · Often internal only; check what your lease actually asks for $150–$250
Flea treatment · Vacuum before and after for it to work $150–$300
Rodent treatment (rats and mice) · Baiting plus a check for entry points; follow-ups may be extra $200–$400
Bed bug treatment · Usually two or more visits $400–$1,000

What a pest controller costs →

Pest control: common questions

How much does pest control cost?

As a rough guide, a general treatment for cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish runs around $150–$250 for a unit and $180–$400 for a house. A termite inspection with a written report is typically $200–$400, and treating an active termite colony commonly costs $2,000–$5,000. It's a guide, not a quote, so ask exactly what's included before you book.

Can I do pest control myself?

For the odd ant trail or a few cockroaches, supermarket baits and sprays can do the job. Call a professional for German cockroach infestations, rats in the roof, bed bugs and anything to do with termites. Spraying termites yourself can push them into another part of the house, where they keep eating out of sight, and licensed technicians have products and methods you can't buy off the shelf.

What time of year is best for pest control?

Late spring and early summer suit a general treatment, because insects are getting active and the treatment carries you through the warm months. Termites are busiest in warm, humid weather, but an inspection can happen any time of year. Regulators such as the QBCC recommend an inspection at least every 12 months, and more often in high-risk areas.

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

Clear the kitchen benches, put food, dishes and kids' toys away, and cover or move fish tanks. Take pets and their bowls outside or to a friend's place. Make sure the technician can get into the roof space, the subfloor and the cupboards under the sinks. Most treatments mean leaving the house for a few hours while surfaces dry, so ask how long for the products they use.

What's the hardest pest to get rid of?

German cockroaches and bed bugs are usually the toughest. They breed fast, hide in tiny cracks and can shrug off common sprays, so they often take more than one visit. Termites are the most expensive to deal with, because the damage happens out of sight until it's well underway. Rats can be stubborn too, unless the gaps they use to get in are found and sealed.

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