A bed bug inspection usually costs between $50 and $200 on average, but many pest control companies offer them for free.
Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating and resilient pests you’ll ever have to deal with. While these tiny insects are very shy and don’t come out during the day, it’s usually very easy to tell if you have bed bugs. Bed bugs will bite sleeping humans, leaving tell-tale lines of itchy spots all across your body.
If you’re not sure if you have bed bugs, you can always pay to have a professional inspection done—which will usually cost you between $50 and $200, depending on the size and location of your home.
To help you estimate what your bed bug inspection might cost, Jerry
, the licensed insurance broker app
, has prepared this article to help you out. Read through to learn everything you’ll need to know about bed bug inspection costs! How much does a bed bug inspection cost?
On average, a bed bug inspection is going to cost between $50 and $200—though some inspections can cost as much as $700, while others are offered absolutely free! Here are the main factors that determine the cost of a bed bug inspection:
Local rates. The cost of bed bug inspections varies quite a bit from one city to another. Each area will have its own standard price.
Type of inspection. For the most part, a standard inspection will be sufficient. If you want to be extra-thorough though, you can pay for a canine inspection. For $300-$700, you can have trained canine units come and sniff out any bed bugs in your house.
Home size: The size of your house is also going to play a role in the cost of your inspection. In general, larger houses require more expensive inspections.
As mentioned above, many qualified inspectors now offer bed bug inspections free of charge. When they do, it’s usually because they’re also pest control companies and they're rolling the cost of the inspection in with the cost of any treatment that may be required. If you find a pest control company offering this kind of deal, it’s usually a good idea to take the offer—it’s a great way to save some money!
A standard home inspection won’t usually include a bed bug inspection. So, If you’re either buying or selling a house, you’ll need to pay for a bed bug inspection in addition to the regular home inspection service. In that situation, the seller is traditionally expected to pay for the pre-sale inspection.
MORE:How to get bugs off your car: A handy guide
Do I need a termite inspection?
As mentioned above, bed bug infestations are usually fairly conspicuous. While the bugs themselves are difficult to catch a glimpse of, it’s hard to miss the itchy bites they leave on your skin. Often, you won’t need an inspection to confirm the presence of bed bugs—and you’ll be able to skip right to treatment methods.
If you’re not sure, however, and you suspect that there may be a bed bug presence, always get an inspection ASAP. Bed bugs a much easier to eradicate if you catch them before they have a chance to spread all over your home.
You should also get a bed bug inspection before trying to sell your home—it’s a standard precaution to take during real estate transactions.
MORE:When to walk away after a home inspection
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Signs of a termite infestation
Even if you’re not selling your home, you should always get a bed bug inspection whenever you suspect that there might be an infestation. But how do you know whether or not there might be bed bugs in your house? What signs do they usually leave behind?
Bed bugs are both shy and nocturnal. They usually only come out in the dead of night when you’re asleep—at which point they’ll proceed to feed on you. In order to diagnose a bed bug problem, watch out for these common symptoms:
Blood on your sheets. The bites that a bed bug leaves will bleed at first. They’ll have stopped bleeding long before you wake up—but they will be small traces of blood left on your bedding.
Bed bug dropping. Bed bugs leave rust-colored spots of feces on bedding, mattresses, and walls.
A strong odor. Bed bugs have a scent gland that produces an unpleasant musty smell.
Bed bug bites. Bed bite sleeping humans and feed on their blood. They’ll typically leave 4-10 small welts in a row. These won’t be noticeable at first—but they’ll soon begin itching. If you notice small bug bites positioned in lines, you almost certainly have Bed bugs.
Bed bugs are extremely frustrating to deal with. Not only are the bites very uncomfortable, but the pests themselves are surprisingly resilient. Catching an infestation early is a vital step in combating bed bugs. After that, it’s time to begin trying various treatment methods.
MORE:How to get fleas out of your car
Bed bug treatment costs
Bed bug treatments typically cost between$300 and $5,000, with an average cost of $1,000-$2,000, depending on how many rooms need to be treated.
Bed bug infestations spread rapidly once they take root, so it’s vital that you get the situation handled as quickly as possible. If you think you’ve seen or been bitten by a bed bug, contact a professional pest control company for a bed bug inspection right away. The longer you wait, the more rooms the bugs will spread to—and the more expensive treatment will cost.
The best pest control companies for a bed bug inspection
Whether you’re getting an inspection because you’re selling your home or because you have an infestation, there are quite a few companies to choose from—here are a few of the best options:
Orkin
: This is one of the nation’s leading pest control companies. They provide free quotes for bed bug treatment services. Terminix
: Another of the nation’s top companies for bed bug treatment, Terminix has a proven track record and thousands of positive online reviews. HomeTeam Pest Defense
: This company provides bed bug treatment services across the nation at affordable prices and backed by a retreatment guarantee. Greenix
: This company provides environmentally friendly termite treatment options to homeowners in most states.
Each of these companies offers top-notch bed bug treatment services—but there are usually local companies that do so as well. You can always check which local companies are available for bed bug treatment with a simple web search.
How to save on homeowners insurance
A bed bug inspection is a significant financial burden. If the inspection uncovers bed bugs, the treatment will cost even more. Fortunately, you can help cover the cost of a bed bug inspection by saving money on your homeowners insurance
—you’ll just need a little help from Jerry
, the fully-licensed
insurance broker super app! Jerry saves users an average of $800+ per year on the cost of their car insurance
and/or homeowners insurance. In just a few seconds, Jerry will gather and compare quotes from 55+ insurance providers at once—all to find you the very best available deals on coverage! Using Jerry is a fast and easy way to save big on the cost of your insurance!
“Jerry
was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.
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