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

Seeing a rat in your home can be horrifying, and chances are you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Hiring a rat exterminator in Chicago costs an average of $232, with most homeowners paying between $137 and $332. This project's precise cost depends on the rat infestation's size, location, and the treatment method used to eradicate the problem. Understanding the factors that affect rat extermination costs helps you determine a realistic budget for this project.

Rat Exterminator Cost Factors 

When you hire a rat exterminator in Chicago, IL, your costs will depend on the pro you hire and the type of service needed. 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 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

The more space a professional has to inspect for signs of rats, the more it will cost. The average home size in Chicago is 1,766 square feet; expect to pay between $520 and $3,120 for whole-house rat extermination in a home of this size. 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 $0.52 to $1.56 per square foot. See the following table to gauge the costs based on the size of your home.

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 $30 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 $100 to $310.

Fumigation Costs

If your rat exterminator suggests fumigation, a last resort method for a severe and dangerous rat infestation, expect to pay $0.52 to $1.56 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 $30 to $80 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate. 

Extermination Pro Costs

Although you might feel up to removing a single rat yourself, larger infestations are best left to a local Chicago pest control pro. Here are some of the main factors that will affect the cost of hiring a pro to exterminate a rat infestation in your home.

Labor

Even though rat extermination costs less in Chicago than nationally, the cost of living in Chicago is 16% higher than the national average. That means labor costs may be higher. To ensure you understand how much you’re being charged in labor, ask your pro how they calculate labor (common methods include per hour, per day, per service, or using a flat fee). Also, remember that emergency extermination services will always cost more than non-emergency ones.

Inspection

Most exterminators will recommend a pest inspection to determine the location and severity of your rat infestation. Expect an inspection to cost between $50 and $100. However, your exterminator may waive the inspection fee if you agree to use their services for treatment.

Cleanup and Repairs

Rats can leave behind a big mess after removal. Once your exterminator has addressed the root of the problem, you’ll need to consider and budget for cleanup and repairs. Cleanup involves removing droppings, nests, and gnawed materials from your home and sanitizing the areas where the rats were. The following table shows the costs of repairing different areas of your home following a rat infestation.

Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?

Rat extermination won’t increase your home’s value, but an untreated rat problem can certainly decrease your home’s value. If potential buyers notice evidence of rats or other pests in your home, they’re unlikely to make an offer. And if you do get an offer, it may be below the asking price. A buyer might require you to handle the issue as part of their offer. If you’ll have to pay for the treatment anyway, you might as well pay for it as soon as you notice the issue rather than waiting for a would-be buyer to point it out.

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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