How Much Does Pest Control Cost in the UK? Market Prices by Pest

Pest control in the UK typically costs £75 to £250 for a standard domestic treatment, with an average of about £150, according to MyJobQuote's pest control cost guide (updated 8 October 2026). Bed bug heat treatments are the main exception, at £1,000 to £1,500 for up to three bedrooms. For comparison, Urgent Pest Control's published prices start at £150 for fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, moles and rats in drains, £200 for rat control and mice, £240 for squirrels and £250 for foxes; the full list is on our pest control prices page.

This guide is about the UK market as a whole: typical prices pest by pest from published cost guides, what makes a job cost more, how council charges in the East Midlands compare, and how to compare quotes properly.

How much does pest control cost for each pest?

Most single-pest domestic jobs cost £70 to £250 on the UK market; bed bug heat treatment is the outlier at £1,000 or more. These are national market prices from MyJobQuote's pest control cost guide. They are other firms' prices, not ours, and the guide does not say whether VAT is included.

MyJobQuote also gives a typical day rate for a pest control specialist of £200 to £260, and says annual residential contracts typically start at around £300 a year, with commercial contracts from around £400 a year for smaller sites.

For rats specifically, MyJobQuote's separate rat exterminator guide (updated 14 September 2026) gives £150–£300 for most homes and more than £500 for severe infestations. Fantastic Services' 2026 rat control guide gives £150–£300 including VAT outside London, and says London and the South East run roughly 20% higher.

How do our prices compare with the market?

We publish starting prices for our most common treatments, so you can set them against the market figures above. No VAT is added on top of these figures.

These are starting prices; the final price depends on the pest, the property and when you need us (for example evenings, weekends or emergencies). We work 7 days a week from 6am to 8pm. Proofing work is quoted separately. The full list is on our pest control prices page.

What affects the cost of pest control?

The pest, how established it is, where it is and how many visits it needs move the price most.

What should a pest control visit include for the price?

Whatever you pay, a proper treatment should include more than spraying or putting bait down. For a typical domestic job you should expect:

• an inspection to confirm the pest, how bad the problem is and how it is getting in;
• a clear explanation of the treatment, how long it takes and any precautions, such as keeping pets out of a room or leaving the house for a few hours after an insecticide treatment;
• safe products and placement, for example locked bait stations for rodents and products authorised for the job;
• follow-up visits where the pest needs them, such as rats, mice, cockroaches and bed bugs;
• advice on prevention, including proofing and hygiene;
• a record of what was done, which landlords, letting agents and food businesses often need.

If a quote doesn't mention follow-ups, or the technician doesn't look for the entry point, the cheaper price may not be the better deal.

Is it cheaper to deal with pests early?

Almost always. Most household pests breed quickly, and the bigger the problem, the more visits and product it takes. English Heritage's rodent guidance says house mice can produce 5–10 litters a year, and the Mammal Society says rats in buildings breed all year round, typically having five litters a year. A few droppings dealt with in October is a smaller, cheaper job than an established infestation in February.

Damage adds to the bill too. Gnawed cables, pipes and insulation, stained ceilings and contaminated food can cost far more than the treatment itself.

How do you compare pest control quotes fairly?

Compare like for like: VAT, visits, entry-point survey and proofing. A lower headline price doesn't always mean a cheaper job. Before you book, ask:

1. Is VAT included? Some guides and firms quote including VAT, others don't.
2. How many visits are included? Rodent treatments usually need follow-ups.
3. Is there a call-out fee or an out-of-hours premium?
4. Will they find and tell you about the entry point? Treating without finding how pests get in often means they return.
5. Are products used safely? For rats and mice, bait should be in locked, tamper-resistant stations and removed at the end. The CRRU code of best practice requires bait to be recorded, inspected and never left down at the end of treatment.
6. Is the technician certified? The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use explains that from 1 January 2026 professional-use rodenticides with stewardship conditions can only be supplied to certified users.
7. Is the business insured, and will you get a written record? Landlords and food businesses often need one.

Is council pest control cheaper?

Sometimes, where your council still offers it, but fewer councils do each year. When we checked all 31 district and city councils in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire on 18 October 2026, only 12 listed a treatment service. Leicester City Council treats rats free, while Derby City Council lists rats and mice at £109 online or £125 by phone. None of the seven Lincolnshire district councils in our coverage treats pests. Our guide to council pest control charges lists every council.

Can you save money with DIY pest control?

For some pests, yes. Ants, a single mouse caught early, or a few flies can often be handled with shop-bought products used exactly as the label says. For rats, bed bugs, cockroaches, wasp nests and squirrels, DIY attempts often take longer, cost more in products and leave the problem in place.

There are also legal and safety limits. Professional rodenticides are restricted, glue traps for rodents have been banned in England since 31 July 2024, except under a licence, under section 1 of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, and grey squirrels can't legally be released once caught. Our guides on how to get rid of mice and rats in the garden explain what is safe to try.

Does home insurance or your landlord pay?

Usually not insurance: standard home insurance generally doesn’t pay for pest control, though it is worth checking any home emergency cover you have. See does home insurance cover pest control. If you rent, who pays depends on the cause and your tenancy; see landlord or tenant: who pays for pest control.

For rodent-specific prices, see our guides to rat removal cost and mice removal cost.

When to call a professional

Call a professional when a pest is inside your home, is putting people at risk (such as a wasp nest by a door or rats near children), keeps coming back, or when you need a record of treatment as a landlord or business. A survey tells you what is needed, and we'll explain the likely cost before any work starts.

We cover Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and the surrounding counties, 7 days a week from 6am to 8pm, in unmarked vehicles. Book online, or call or WhatsApp 07999 935 929 for a price.

Sources

• MyJobQuote: Pest control costs (updated 8 October 2026)
• MyJobQuote: Rat exterminator costs (updated 14 September 2026)
• Fantastic Services: Rat control cost guide 2026
• CRRU UK: Code of best practice
• CRRU UK: Advice for customers refused supply of professional rodenticides
• Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, section 1 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Leicester City Council: Pest control
• Derby City Council: Pest control for householders