How Much Does a Rat Exterminator Cost in Los Angeles? [2025 Data]

Finding a rat in your home can be alarming, and you’ll probably want to react quickly. Rat extermination services in Los Angeles cost an average of $566, with many homeowners spending $267 to $906. The precise cost depends on the location and size of the rat infestation and the required treatment method. Below, learn more about the main factors that affect the cost of rat extermination in Los Angeles so you can budget accordingly.

Rat Exterminator Cost Factors 

The cost of hiring a rat extermination service in Los Angeles, CA, depends on several factors. Local rat exterminators offer several levels of service. Your price will increase if you select options that prevent rats from coming back or address any damage to your home.

Infestation Location

The rats’ location affects extermination costs, and an inaccessible infestation means higher labor costs. Exclusion can quickly become expensive if rats are inside the walls or have caused internal damage to insulation or ductwork.

Infestation Location

The larger the rat problem, the longer inspections, exclusions, and extermination steps will take, which adds to the cost. A large infestation requires more traps, bait stations, and more serious eradication methods, such as fumigation. Since rats can produce up to 6 litters each year, catching an infestation early is important.

Home Size

The more space a professional has to inspect for signs of rats, the more it will cost. The average home size in Los Angeles is 1,738 square feet, which is significantly smaller than the national average of 2,200 square feet. If you choose exclusion services to seal and block rodent-friendly entrances, bigger homes may require more work. This is also why infestations limited to sheds, barns, or other separate buildings will be significantly less expensive. For fumigation, you'll pay $1.48 to $4.44 per square foot. Learn more about the average cost for whole-house options below.

Cost of Rat Extermination Methods 

Once you’ve confirmed signs of a rodent infestation, rat exterminators can approach your rodent infestation in several ways. Let’s look at common rat extermination methods and how much exterminators charge for those services.

Live Rat Removal Cost

Most exterminators charge around $70 to transport each live rat caught from your property. Exterminators charge for removal because they incur fuel and labor costs while traveling at least a mile from your home to send the rat to its new happily ever after. 

Rat Exclusion

Many exterminators will seal off all entry points where rats can enter your home. The most common exclusion strategy is sealing holes. However, exclusion can also include screening crawl spaces and roof vents, repairing holes, and pruning back trees that rats use as stairs into your home. The cost of exclusion ranges from $300 to $890.

Fumigation Costs

If your rat exterminator suggests fumigation, a last resort method for a severe and dangerous rat infestation, expect to pay $1.48 to $4.44 per square foot. Similar to termite fumigation, everyone will likely need to leave the house for one to two days while the chemical does its job.

Follow-Up Visits

Most rat exterminators will arrange follow-up visits to check for signs that more rats are on your property, such as new nests. If they laid bait or traps, pros examine the results and determine whether additional steps are needed. You can expect to pay around $70 to $220 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate. 

Extermination Pro Costs

If you notice evidence of rats in your home, hiring a pest control specialist in Los Angeles is usually the best option. A pro will remove every last rat and add preventive measures to decrease the chances of reinfestation. Here are the main factors that affect the cost of hiring a pro.

Labor

The cost of living in Los Angeles, California, is 50% higher than the national average, which explains the higher-than-average costs of rat extermination in the city. Exterminators charge more for emergency services, so keep that in mind when you call. Some pest control pros charge per hour, while others may charge per project or use a flat-fee system.

Inspection

No matter the critter in your home, a pest inspection can help determine where they are and the severity of the problem. A rat inspection costs between $150 and $300 in Los Angeles. Ask your exterminator whether they will waive this fee if you hire them for their extermination services after the inspection.

Cleanup and Repairs

Rats are messy creatures. Even after the pest control pro has removed them from your home, there will be evidence of their existence, including droppings, nests, and chewed material. If you hire professional cleaners to clean and sanitize your home following a rat infestation, make sure you include that in your budget. Also, consider whether you’ll need to repair drywall, wiring, pipes, or HVAC ducts damaged by the rats. The table below lists the average cost for these repairs in Los Angeles.

Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?

Hiring a rat exterminator won’t increase your home value—but your home value can drop significantly if you don’t address a rat infestation when you notice it. No buyer wants to see rodents or other pests when they’re touring a home, and if they do, they’ll probably leave and cross your house off their list.

The best way to ensure your home retains its value is to call an exterminator at the first sign of a rat infestation. If you catch the problem early, you’ll likely have fewer rats and less damage to deal with, which means the service will cost less.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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