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How Much Does a Rat Exterminator Cost in Tampa? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $441 - $1,716
Homeowners in Tampa, FL can expect to pay $1,078 for a visit from a rat exterminator. Depending on the infestation size and location in the home, you may spend between $441 and $1,716.
How we get this data
Photo: FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock
Photo: FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock
Highlights
The weather in Tampa, FL, provides the ideal conditions for rats to thrive all year.
Rats in sheds and garages are usually less expensive to address than inside walls or crawl spaces.
Despite the low cost of living in Tampa, pest control is more expensive here than in many other cities.
Residential pest control services are not taxable in Florida, saving homeowners money.
Between the sunshine, palm trees, and waterfront views, Tampa, FL, is practically a five-star resort. Unfortunately, the year-round warm weather, easy access to food, plentiful hiding spots in older homes, and lush landscaping also mean rodents like to settle in and overstay their welcome.
On average, residents pay $1,078 for a visit from a rat exterminator. Between the size of your abode and the place where rats are camping out, you may spend between $441 and $1,716. And while you might be tempted to grab a DIY trap or two, the tropical climate here means rats can multiply faster than you can say “Gasparilla,” making professional help worth every penny.
Rat Exterminator Cost Factors
Tampa’s mix of historic bungalows, waterfront condos, and sprawling suburban developments means exterminators face all sorts of challenges, from crawl space hideouts to attic infestations.
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 | Cost Considerations |
|---|---|
| Shed or garage | Rats living in a shed or garage are the least expensive to remove because they’re easy to find, trap, and release. |
| Attic and basement | If rats cause damage to your attic or basement, you’ll need to budget for the cost of repairs, such as replacing flooring or drywall. |
| Walls | Wall infestations require extra labor and additional fees for thermal imaging equipment. |
| Ductwork | Ductwork exterminations require extra work and specialized tools, adding to the cost, especially if parts of the ductwork need to be removed. |
| Crawl spaces | Crawl spaces may lead to slightly higher costs since they require more labor to access than basements. |
Infestation Size
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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.
| Size and Severity | What It Looks Like | Extermination Methods | Cost Range in Tampa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small or mild | Occasional droppings and light scratching in walls | Traps, bait stations, minor sealing | $274–$1,368 |
| Moderate or medium | Regular sightings, chewed wires/food packages | Multiple traps and bait stations, full home inspection | $821–$1,915 |
| Large or severe | Strong odor, nests found, visible damage | Extensive trapping, exclusion work, fumigation | $2,736–$21,888 |
Home Size
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 around $3 to $8 per square foot.
| Home Size | Average Cost for Whole-House Options in Tampa |
|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | $2,736–$8,208 |
| 2,000 square feet | $5,472–$16,416 |
| 3,000 square feet | $8,208–$24,624 |
| 4,000 square feet | $10,944–$32,832 |
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 $137 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 $550 to $1,642.
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 around $3 to $8 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 $137 to $410 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate.
Extermination Pro Costs
While Tampa’s cost of living is 3% lower than the national average, the climate makes rat extermination much more expensive than average. On the bright side, residential pest control services aren’t taxable, meaning you’re not paying Uncle Sam on top of your rat-removal bill.
Whether you’re dealing with one rogue rodent or a furry flash mob, Tampa’s exterminators have flat-fee and service plan options that can fit most budgets.
Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?
Pest control can protect your home’s value. In Tampa, the humid climate and tropical landscaping create ideal conditions for rats, termites, and other pests that can cause costly damage. Left unchecked, these issues can weaken a home’s structure, chew through electrical wiring, and leave contamination that makes buyers walk away.
Additionally, a pest-free certificate from a rat exterminator in Tampa, FL, can be extremely valuable when it's time to sell. It assures potential buyers that an abode has passed inspection, reducing the risk of unpleasant surprises during the sale process. In a market with everything from historic Ybor City homes to waterfront properties, showing proof of regular pest control signals that a dwelling is beautifully maintained.
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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