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

Professional rat extermination in Indianapolis, IN, costs $272 on average. That said, depending on how bad the infestation is, the size of your home, and how easy (or not) it is to reach the nest, you could end up paying from $181 to $370.

Indianapolis regularly hits the hot list for “rattiest cities” in the U.S. Having a solid pest control plan—and a budget to match—is more of a necessity than a nice-to-have in the city. Despite the city having aging infrastructure, rapid development, and problems with trash management that fuel the problem, it’s comforting to know control costs run lower than national averages.

Rat Exterminator Cost Factors 

In Indianapolis, IN, the size of your home and how widespread the infestation is will have the biggest impact on rat exterminator costs—but they’re not the only things that matter. For instance, if you’re dealing with rats nesting under a crumbling foundation in a historic Meridian-Kessler neighborhood home, or burrowing through ductwork in a drafty basement, those hard-to-access areas can bump up costs.

Local rat exterminators offer several levels of service. Your price will increase if you select options to rodent-proof your home—sensible if you live in a rat-prone district, like Lockerbie Square, the city’s oldest residential area—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 are prolific disease spreaders and 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 Indianapolis is 2,100 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. Costs depend on the extermination method, but average between $0.20 and $2.10 per square foot.

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

If you want to get rid of rats without poison, most exterminators charge around $35 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 $140 to $420.

Fumigation Costs

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. This works out as $1,470 to $4,410 for the average Indianapolis home. 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 $35 to $105 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate. 

Extermination Pro Costs

Indianapolis doesn’t have a sky-high cost of living like some bigger cities, averaging 11% lower than the national average. That means hiring a rat exterminator in Indianapolis could be less expensive than you might expect—a bonus given the city's persistent rodent problem.

Most pest control pros in the city charge a flat fee per visit, which makes things easier to budget for than dealing with unpredictable hourly rates. For example, you could pay around $75 to get rid of a roof rat living in your attic, while a bigger job like whole-home exclusion could cost $979.

Consider setting up a quarterly or annual service plan if you live in a rat-prone area or you’re dealing with recurring infestations. Your exterminator may offer a discount for making regular visits. Locking in a deal could help keep your costs down while keeping those rats at bay.

Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?

Rat extermination in Indianapolis may not give you the same return on investment (ROI) as a kitchen remodel or a new roof, but it’s still a smart investment in the long run. No one wants to buy a house overrun with rats—unless they’re hoping for a major price break. Taking care of the problem now can make your home more appealing to potential buyers and help it move faster in a competitive market.

This is especially true for older homes in areas like historic Fountain Square or Broad Ripple Village, which are prime real estate for the city’s thriving rat population. And don’t forget that quick action can prevent costly damage. Rats aren’t shy about chewing through wires, insulation, and even wood beams. Catching an infestation early can save you from major repairs and keep your inspection report from raising any red flags.

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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