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

Normal Range: $128 - $414

Homeowners in Denver, CO, can expect to pay $271 for a visit from a rat exterminator. Depending on the infestation size and location in the home, you may spend between $128 and $414.

How we get this data
The interior of an eclectic dining room on a sunny day
Photo: FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock
The interior of an eclectic dining room on a sunny day
Photo: FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock
Highlights
  • Exterminating rats in Denver homes can cost between $0.70 and $2.10 per square foot.

  • The exact cost will depend on the treatment method, with live rat removal costing as little as $40 per rat and whole-house extermination costing up to $8,400.

  • Hiring a pro is the best way to remove rats from your home, though the cost will depend on labor, inspections, cleanup, and repairs.

It’s never pleasant to see a rat in your home, so you likely want to take care of the problem as soon as you can. Hiring a rat exterminator in Denver, CO, costs between $128 and $414, with homeowners spending an average of $271. The exact cost of this service depends on several key factors, including your home size, the extent of the rat infestation, and the recommended treatment method. Learn more about each factor so you can make a realistic budget before getting started.

Rat Exterminator Cost Factors 

The cost to exterminate rats in Denver, CO, depends on a few factors. Typically, 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 LocationCost Considerations
Attic or basementA rat infestation in an unfinished attic or basement will cost less to exterminate than one in a finished space.
Crawl spacet will take longer for an exterminator to access an infestation in your crawl space, resulting in higher labor costs.
DuctworkA pro might need to use special (and more expensive) tools to locate a rat infestation inside your home’s ductwork.
Shed or garageRemoving rats from a shed or garage is relatively straightforward, which equates to a lower cost.
WallsPros may need to use thermal imaging equipment to locate a rat infestation in the walls, which drives up the total project cost.

Infestation Size

6 items that attract mice and rats compared visually
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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

Denver homes have an average size of 2,142 square feet. Rat extermination in a home this size should cost between $1,400 and $4,200. 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 $0.70 to $2.10 per square foot.

Home SizeAverage Cost for Whole-House Options in Denver
1,000 square feet$700–$2,100
2,000 square feet$1,400–$4,200
3,000 square feet$2,100–$6,300
4,000 square feet$2,800–$8,400

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 RemovalCons of Live Removal
Minimal, quick laborCharges per rat can be high
Suitable for small infestationsRequires hands-on removal

Most exterminators charge around $40 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 ExclusionCons of Rat Exclusion
Effective for in-home infestationsSignificantly more expensive
Prevents rats from returningTakes 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 $140 to $420.

Fumigation Costs

Pros of FumigationCons of Fumigation
Tackles large-scale infestations throughout a buildingVery expensive
Eradicates rats that can’t be found otherwiseUse 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 $0.70 to $2.10 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 $40 to $110 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate.

Extermination Pro Costs

Although hiring a pest control pro in Denver is the best way to take care of your rat problems, hiring an exterminator can be expensive. Below, learn about the factors that affect the cost of hiring a pro to rid your home of rats.

Labor

Denver has a cost of living around 9% higher than the national average. This can mean higher labor costs than you’d pay in a lower-cost-of-living city. However, the exact cost of labor can depend on how your pro charges. Some may charge per hour or per day, while others may prefer to charge per project or use a flat-fee method. If your rat problem is an emergency, you’ll pay an extra fee for prompt service.

Inspection

A rat inspection helps your exterminator understand the extent of your rat problem so they can recommend the best treatment method. Rat inspections can cost between $70 and $140. Ask your exterminator whether they will waive the inspection fee if you hire them for extermination services.

Cleanup and Repairs

Removing the rats from your home is only the first step. Once they’ve been exterminated, you’ll need to deep-clean your home, looking for droppings, nests, and gnawed materials. Hiring a professional cleaner adds to the overall cost but can completely erase all traces of the rats.

Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may also need to budget for repairs. Rats can wreak havoc on your home’s drywall, ductwork, plumbing pipes, and electrical wires. Below, see the average costs to repair your home following a rat infestation.

Type of RepairAverage Cost in Denver
Drywall$250–$560
Electrical $110–$350
HVAC$50–$840
Plumbing$130–$320

Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?

Although many home services can increase the value of your home, rat extermination isn’t one of them. However, if you fail to address a rat infestation and then try to sell your home, you’ll likely notice a decrease in its value. Prospective buyers are less likely to make an offer on a home that has signs of a rodent infestation. And if they find an issue during the inspection, they may withdraw their offer or require you to make expensive repairs before closing.

To avoid this, it’s wise to schedule a pest inspection before you sell your home. This will help you find and treat any pest problems, including rat infestations, in your home before you list it.

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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