Last updated: July 10, 2026 · Prices reviewed quarterly
Rodent extermination costs $150 to $550 for mice and $395 to $1,500 for rats in 2026, with follow-up visits at $50–$150. But the number that matters is the one most homeowners skip: a full trap-and-exclusion program at $600–$1,400, because poison and traps without sealed entry points is a subscription, not a solution.
What rodent exterminator cost covers
| Service | Typical 2026 cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | $100 – $200 | Often credited against treatment |
| Mice — standard treatment | $150 – $550 | Traps + bait, 1–3 visits |
| Rats — standard treatment | $395 – $1,500 | Larger bait programs, more visits |
| Full exclusion program | $600 – $1,400 | Sealing + trapping + follow-ups |
| Whole-home fumigation (severe) | $2,000 – $6,000 | $1–$3/sq ft, rare cases |
| Cleanup / decontamination | $300 – $2,000+ | Droppings, insulation, odor |
Ranges compiled from 2026 pricing at This Old House, Angi and HomeGuide.
Mice vs. rats: why rats bill 3x
Mice are curious and trap easily; rats are neophobic — they avoid new objects for days, so programs take more visits, more bait engineering, and often exterior burrow work. Roof rats add attic and tree-line work at height. If you hear daytime scratching in walls, heavy nighttime attic traffic, or find droppings bigger than a grain of rice, budget the rat column, not the mouse one.
Exclusion: the only line item that ends it
Killing the current population without sealing entries buys you 2–6 quiet months. Exclusion work — steel wool and sealant in gaps, hardware cloth over vents, door sweeps, chimney caps — is what turns pest control into a one-time expense. It prices by opening (roughly $10–$30 each) or bundled into the $600–$1,400 program. Insist the quote itemize every entry point found. A company that only quotes bait stations is selling you a maintenance contract.
The bill after the bill: damage
Rodents chew wiring (a real fire risk and a common attic-rewire trigger at $1,500+), tunnel insulation, and gnaw pipes. Attic decontamination and re-insulation after a heavy infestation runs well into four figures. Water lines chewed in walls create leak damage — if you are already there, see our water damage restoration guide. For general pest pricing beyond rodents, start with the exterminator cost overview, and if you also woke up with bites, check bed bug treatment costs.
How to keep it a one-time cost
Fix the food and the doors first: sealed pantry containers, bird seed and pet food in metal bins, garage door sweeps. Trim branches 4+ feet off the roofline (roof-rat highways). After treatment, schedule the included 30-day follow-up — that visit catches the stragglers before they rebuild. In snap-trap territory, classic wooden traps with peanut butter, placed perpendicular to walls, still outperform most gadgets if you want to handle a light mouse problem yourself.
FAQ
One mouse — do I need a pro?
One sighting in fall usually means scouts, not an established colony. A dozen snap traps and an hour sealing gaps with steel wool is a reasonable DIY first response. Droppings in multiple rooms or any daytime sightings: call.
Is poison or trapping better?
Pros use both, but poison indoors risks carcasses in wall voids (a $300–$600 odor/removal call) and secondary poisoning of pets and owls. Modern programs lean on snap traps indoors and secured bait stations outside.
Does homeowners insurance cover rodent damage?
The damage they cause (chewed wiring fires, sudden pipe leaks) is often covered; the extermination and gradual damage is not. Document everything — photos of droppings, chewed materials and entry points support any related claim.
Prices on this page are researched estimates compiled from the cited sources; your local costs will vary with market, access and scope. Always get multiple written quotes from licensed professionals before committing.