If you have a mice infestation, then, the next thing that could be clicking in your mind is an exterminator. Hiring an exterminator could be a short-term solution. Nevertheless, future mice re-infestation may make this approach slightly expensive.
- So, in this article we delve to answer the question; how much is an exterminator for mice? On average, a mice exterminator costs between $400 to $600.
- This figure may shift up or down up to a minimum cost of $250 or a maximum of $1000. The cost of Mice extermination is determined by factors such as the size of the infestation, quality of the items used, market demand, location, as well as the options selected.
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Depending on your choice, the mice extermination process could go as low as $150 or as high as $2000.
- The figures above are price ranges within which you should establish your cost variables in relation to the level of mice infestation in your place.
- More so, you should decide whether you want to carry out the extermination process by yourself or contract a professional. For a new person, I recommend the latter option.
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Details: How Much is an Exterminator for Mice?
1. Cost and Price Exterminator
The cost of mice exterminator is a variable that ranges between 250 to 650 US Dollars in many states/countries.
This cost is determined by factors such as location, level of infestation, area coverage, and the method is chosen among others – as discussed further in this article.
- Mainly, the cost charged (by a mice exterminator) enshrines the prices of chemicals/method used, actual service offered (removal process), time spent, and post control service, if any.
- Since prices of mice killers vary from one state to another, the overall extermination cost may vary too. However, the cost may not go below $100 or shoot above $4000 on medium-scale mice infestation.
- Daily extermination cost averages at $500, while hourly charges cost 300 US Dollars.
The fact that cost of extermination service and the prices of mice killers (sprays, traps, or chemicals) usually vary from one state to another;
- It’s wise to carry out your background search on prevailing costs and prices of items in your state/country before settling for the final cost with your exterminator.
In case you opt to carry extermination by yourself, you may cut the overall cost by half.
2. Factors That Determines the Cost and Price of Extermination
The cost/price of mice extermination is determined by some of the following factors:
a. Square Area or Footage Coverage
On average, an area of 1500 square feet should cost between $250 to $350 when undertaking single nice extermination.
- This figure may shift up depending on your location and the number of times you need the exterminator to carry out the task.
Normally, it’s not easy to account for the size of a given section – however, you should have a rough idea of the size of your home/place to avoid misquoting errors.
b. Extermination Method used
The use of mice traps is relatively cheaper as compared to fumigation counterparts – the traps can cost as low as $6.
- If an exterminator opts to go for mice vacuum pipes, this method could be more expensive (capital-based) unlike snap traps. On average, vacuum pipes will cost up to $4400.
The fumigation mice extermination method is the most expensive option, which can cost up to $5000 for a 3000 square feet area. Mainly, the fumigation method is best for large-scale mice extermination or pandemic-prone sections.
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c. Mice Infestation Level
If your home is highly infested with mice, expect to pay more for the extermination process – the cost ranges from $100 to $6000.
- During price calculation, most exterminators will factor in the time spent at your place or the materials used in the process.
- Chances are that most exterminators would purchase all the required items and make a flat service cost. However, if you feel like so, you can purchase all items needed and pay for direct extermination service only.
Extermination costs 300 US Dollars per hour or a flat rate of $600 for 500 square feet room. Hourly extermination charges vary from one state to another, but on average, you can pay $400 to $500 per hour on a commercial base extermination process.
d. Location
Depending on your location, the exterminator may charge extra to cover the transport costs incurred. The transport cost should always match current standard tariffs in your place.
At times, the mice nest could be located in an unreachable place that requires special handling – in such a case, the exterminator may charge you more depending on the height and risks anticipated.
e. Frequency of Extermination Services
Most of the extermination companies have mice control programs for their customers – this could be monthly, weekly, or daily.
- Depending on the level of mice infestation at your place, you can opt to go for a suitable option that fits your need. Usually, monthly mice control arrangements cost between 100 US Dollars to $200.
Weekly extermination arrangements averaged between $150 to $350 in most of the state. However, the cost of initial makeup could shoot the cost slightly.
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3. Mice Extermination Options and Their Costs/Prices
The table below shows a comparison between common mouse killer (traps and poison) vs the exterminator option. Further, the pros and cons of each method are highlighted alongside the market price.
| Method | Cost Per Unit | Operation | Cons | Pros |
| Glue traps | $4 – $13 | Sticks Mouse on Contact – starve | It’s not reusable | Affordable
Effective |
| Snap Traps | $2 – $ 5 | Snap and strikes mouse on the neck | Unsuitable for large mice colony | Relatively cheap
Reusable Easier to setup |
| Live Trap | $11 – $24 | Captures live mice | Live mice may get back to nest upon release | Won’t kill live mice during capture |
| Jaw Trap | $3 – $10 | Traps the mouse and suffocate it to death | Trapped mouse always dies- inhumane | Relatively cheap
Easier to set up |
| Mice poison | $4 – $20 | Kills mouse when swallowed | May kill other pets when swallowed | Kills instantly
Best for large scale mice infestation |
How do I DIY Mice Infestation?
For cases of small mice infestation, it’s advisable to do it yourself (DIY) by either of the following methods:
1. Laying Glue traps
These are special traps that are made using cardboard pasted with adhesive/glue.
- Upon stepping on the glued section, the mice are trapped (get stuck) and starve to death.
The whole idea is to ensure that you place glued traps in an appropriate place where mice pass through often (their hideouts or paths).
2. Use of Snap Traps
This trap is made with a mechanism that snaps to trap and kill the mouse. Usually, the trap is fitted bait that lures the mouse into the decoy.
- You can either use peanut butter, cheese, or any other food as bait – provided you ensure that the bait is well fixed. Having bait with a strong aromatic scent is highly recommended – it attracts mice easily.
Further, place the trap in a mice nest or hang it on the wall.
Upon capture, remove the mouse and dispose of it accordingly – be careful when removing the mouse as you may get trapped as well. Snap traps can be purchased from nearby outlets or Amazon.
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3. Live Traps
These traps are specially designed not to kill but capture mice while still alive. Normally, they have an inlet where mice pass through – once in, the mice find it difficult to move out.
- With live traps, you will need a bait, which is placed far inside to attract mice.
Some live traps can capture as many as 50 mice depending on the size. Trapped mice should be eliminated accordingly or taken to vet breeding grounds for biological use.
4. Hitting with rod or broom
You can kill a mouse by hitting it hard with a broom or a rod.
All you need is to take a keen view of the mouse and aim at the head for effective killing. The dead mouse should be disposed of immediately.
When do you Hire a Professional Exterminator?
There are quite a number of reasons why you should opt to contact a professional exterminator when eliminating mice infestation. These could be:
- When you do not have all the tools or equipment needed for mice extermination at hand.
- In case you have tried to handle the mice extermination and the situation is not manageable.
- If you are new to the extermination process and wonder how to go about it for the first time.
- When a special professional extermination approach is needed (disease preventive approach).
- If you notice dead mice which could be contaminated and need special treatment before the extermination process begins.
- When you have a very large mice infestation in your place.
- When other methods such as traps fail to eliminate mice.
- If you feel that handling mice are a dirty job for you and no one in your place can do it.
- In case it’s a government directive to involve professionals during mice extermination.
- When the mice population is increasing day by day.
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How to Tell that You Have Mice Infestation in Your Home
In order to come to a conclusion that you have a mice infestation in your place, ensure that you note some of the following signs:
a. Live Mice
The first implication of mice infestation is visitation by live mice.
- Usually, you’ll see mice moving in your house or compound at night. This is a clear indicator that mice are looking for a nest or more locations to infest.
One mouse is enough to bring the entire colony into your place if not attended to immediately – the mouse could be pregnant and eventually give birth at your place.
b. Critters Noise
You may not necessarily spot mice moving about since they hide out often, especially when they detect danger lurking.
- However, you will note critters’ noise (sound from mice) if you pay keen attention – usually, the noise is more pronounced at night than in day time.
- Probably, you may be suspicious about mice infestation in certain hideouts; then, it’s wise to start with such places – leave an audio recording device to capture any noise and compare the noise captured later.
For a larger mice population, you will notice scratching sounds as well. Mice use squeaking sounds when communicating – this sound can be noticed easily too.
c. Mice Droppings
Upon arrival, it’s most likely that mice will leave fecal matter all over – the fecal looks like tiny black balls pilled or scattered in the nest.
- Old mice droppings turn brown and crusty, while fresh ones are shiny and tampered with.
In case you find droppings clustered in one area; this is an indicator of large mice infestation. Contrary, if you spot droppings scattered lightly, that shows mice encroachment and action should be taken before the matter worsens.
d. Clawing, Scratching and Chewing marks
Mice often scratch and claw on the wall or cabinets – you will notice scratch marks and claw print on the wall or cabinets.
- Alternatively, you’ll spot chewing remains (chewed papers, clothes, woods) in closets or cabinets where mice hide or live.
At times you may notice partly chewed papers, books, magazines, or clothes.
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What are the Risks Associated with Mice Infestation?
Mice are dangerous rodents and will lead to some of the following problems:
1. Cause Hemorrhagic Disease
This is a fever condition that is transmitted by mice and it’s characterized by symptoms such as:
- Kidney failure
- Headache and chills
- Increased heartbeat
- Severe abdominal pain
2. Leptospirosis Disease
Leptospirosis disease is a blood infection, which is transmitted through water contaminated with mice fecal matter – urine and feces. The disease has the following symptoms:
- Fever and muscle pain
- Headache and meningitis
- Bleeding lungs
3. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
This is a respiratory condition, which is caused by inhaling dust particles from mice’s fecal droppings. The condition is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Fluid accumulation in lungs
- Increased heartbeat
4. Destruction of property
Mice chew, scratch, damage clothes as well as paper documents (by chewing) leading to huge losses if not attended to. Some sections chewed by the mice are difficult to repair and do, it makes the item lose its beauty.
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Conclusion
To wrap up, on how much is an exterminator for mice, the average cost ranges between $400 to $600. However, this cost may vary up to $1000 or go as low as 250 US Dollars.
- The costs and prices of mice extermination are determined by factors such as the area to be exterminated, the extent of mice infestation, location, frequency needed, and the extermination method selected among others.
- If you consider undertaking the extermination process by yourself, you may lower the cost up to $150. However, for a new person, it’s always advisable to contact a professional.
Before you consider undertaking mice extermination, it’s necessary to attest the signs of mice infestation (as highlighted in this article) in your place for a couple of days. Importantly, go for the most economical extermination method without overlooking the end results.