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How Much Does a Rat Exterminator Cost in San Francisco? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $224 - $1,592
Homeowners in San Francisco, CA, can expect to pay $908 for a visit from a rat exterminator. Depending on the infestation size and location in the home, you may spend between $224 and $1,592.
How we get this data
FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock Photography
FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock Photography
Highlights
Due to the high cost of living, exterminating rats in San Francisco is much more expensive than in other U.S. cities.
Expect to pay around $100 per rat for exclusion services or up to $24,600 for whole-house fumigation.
The total cost of this service may also include repairs to rat-damaged areas, which could cost between $150 and $2,460.
No one wants to live with a rogue rat in their house. If you are hosting an uninvited critter, an exterminator can help. The cost of rat extermination in San Francisco, CA, typically falls between $224 and $1,592, though most homeowners spend an average of $908. Some of the main factors affecting the cost of this service include your home size, the extent and location of the infestation, and the treatment method used. Below, learn more about these and other factors to determine a budget for your extermination service.
Rat Exterminator Cost Factors
The cost of rat extermination in San Francisco, CA, depends on the type of service you need. Local rat exterminators usually 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 | Cost Considerations |
|---|---|
| Attic or basement | Removing rats from an unfinished attic or basement is generally simpler and cheaper than removing them from a finished area. |
| Crawl space | Crawl spaces are often hard for exterminators to access, which means higher labor costs. |
| Ductwork | Rats in your home’s ductwork can be sneaky, so an exterminator may need specialized tools to locate them. |
| Shed or garage | Sheds and garages are usually bare-bones and have few places for rodents to hide. Therefore, rat extermination in these areas is usually relatively cheap. |
| Walls | If rats are hiding in your walls, a pro may need to use thermal imaging equipment to locate them, which will make the project more expensive. |
Infestation Size
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
Homes in the San Francisco area have an average size of 1,318 square feet. Exterminating rats in a home of this size generally costs between $2,050 and $6,150. The more space a professional has to inspect for signs of rats, the more it will cost. 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 $2.05 to $6.15 per square foot.
| Home Size | Average Cost for Whole-House Options in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | $2,050–$6,150 |
| 2,000 square feet | $4,100–$12,300 |
| 3,000 square feet | $6,150–$18,450 |
| 4,000 square feet | $8,200–$24,600 |
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
| Pros of Live Removal | Cons of Live Removal |
|---|---|
| Minimal, quick labor | Charges per rat can be high |
| Suitable for small infestations | Requires hands-on removal |
Most exterminators charge around $100 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
| Pros of Rat Exclusion | Cons of Rat Exclusion |
|---|---|
| Effective for in-home infestations | Significantly more expensive |
| Prevents rats from returning | Takes longer |
| Can apply to other pests |
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 $410 to $1,230.
Fumigation Costs
| Pros of Fumigation | Cons of Fumigation |
|---|---|
| Tackles large-scale infestations throughout a building | Very expensive |
| Eradicates rats that can’t be found otherwise | Use of toxic fumes in the home |
| Must vacate the house |
If your rat exterminator suggests fumigation, a last resort method for a severe and dangerous rat infestation, expect to pay $2.05 to $6.15 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 $100 to $310 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate.
Extermination Pro Costs
We don’t recommend handling rat extermination yourself, so you’ll want to hire a local pest control specialist in San Francisco to deal with the issue. Below, learn about the main cost factors that affect how much you’ll pay.
Labor
The San Francisco area has a much higher cost of living than the national average—65% higher, to be precise. Labor costs are also higher than in other areas of the country, which means a higher price tag for rat extermination. Check with your chosen exterminator about how they charge for labor: hourly, daily, per project, or another method. Bear in mind that you’ll pay more for emergency extermination services.
Inspection
A pest inspection, which may cost between $210 and $410, helps an exterminator determine the best way to treat your rat infestation. During the inspection, the exterminator will locate the rats in your home and determine how many you’re dealing with. Using this information, they can recommend the best treatment plan to rid your home of uninvited rodents for good. Some exterminators will waive the inspection fee if you use them for pest control services.
Cleanup and Repairs
Removing the rats from your home is just part of the equation. Once eliminated, you’ll need to consider cleanup and repairs. Rats will typically leave behind droppings, nests, and gnawed materials, which you’ll need to clean and remove. We also recommend sanitizing the area to prevent illness among your home’s residents; hiring a professional cleaner is often the best option to ensure no nasty rat germs linger in your home.
Additionally, you may need to budget for repairs. Rats love to gnaw on drywall, pipes, wires, and ductwork. Below, learn how much you can expect to pay for repairs following a rat infestation.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | $370–$920 |
| Drywall | $720–$1,640 |
| HVAC | $150–$2,460 |
| Electrical | $310–$1,025 |
Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?
On its own, rat extermination won’t increase or decrease your home’s value. However, your home may lose value if you don’t treat a rat infestation when you notice it. Even if you do exterminate the rats, your home’s value could still suffer if you don’t clean thoroughly or fail to make the necessary repairs. A potential buyer will notice these oversights and look elsewhere for a home, require you to make repairs, or put in an offer well under the asking price. The best way to prevent a rat infestation from affecting your home’s value is to act quickly as soon as you notice the issue.
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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