If you need to get rid of bugs and pests making your home unsafe, it's time to decide if fumigation is necessary. Learn more about average fumigation costs.
How Much Does a Rat Exterminator Cost in Austin? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $210 - $730
Homeowners in Austin, TX can expect to pay $461 for a visit from a rat exterminator. Depending on the infestation size and location in the home, you may spend between $210 and $730.
How we get this data
FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock Photography
FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock Photography
Highlights
Exterminating rats in your Austin home typically costs between $1.18 and $3.54 per square foot.
Live removal can cost as little as $60 per rat, while fumigation services may cost up to $14,160.
The cost of hiring an exterminator will depend on local labor costs, as well as the method your pro uses for charging.
If you’ve ever seen a rat in your home, you know the accompanying panic well. At the first sign of a rat, you should make moves to get rid of the pests ASAP. Rat extermination costs an average of $461 in Austin, TX, with homeowners paying between $210 and $730 for this service. The total cost will depend on your home’s size, the extent and location of the rat infestation, and the necessary treatment method. Understanding how these factors affect the cost of rat extermination can help you make a budget for this project.
Rat Exterminator Cost Factors
When you hire a local rat exterminator in Austin, TX, you’ll find several levels of service on offer. 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 | Exterminating a rat infestation in an unfinished attic or basement will be cheaper than in a finished space. |
| Crawl space | Expect to pay more to exterminate rats in a crawl space because of the area’s limited accessibility, which means the service will take longer. |
| Ductwork | Exterminating rats in ductwork can cost more because the pest control pro may need to use specialized equipment to locate the infestation—plus, you may need to replace the affected ductwork. |
| Shed or garage | Removing rats from a shed or garage is usually quick and easy, which equals a lower price tag. |
| Walls | If you suspect rats are in your walls, an exterminator may recommend using thermal imaging equipment to locate them, which will increase your costs. |
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
Austin homes average around 2,065 square feet of living space. In general, exterminating rats in a home this size costs between $2,360 and $7,080. 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 $1.18 to $3.54 per square foot.
| Home Size | Average Cost for Whole-House Options in Austin |
|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | $1,180–$3,540 |
| 2,000 square feet | $2,360–$7,080 |
| 3,000 square feet | $3,540–$10,620 |
| 4,000 square feet | $4,720–$14,160 |
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 $60 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 $240 to $710.
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 $1.18 to $3.54 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 $60 to $180 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate.
Extermination Pro Costs
DIY rat extermination can be difficult and time-consuming, so many Austin homeowners prefer to hire a local mice and rat exterminator. However, hiring a pro costs more than doing it yourself. Here are the factors that will affect the cost of hiring an exterminator.
Labor
Austin, TX, has an average cost of living around 3% lower than the national average. Despite this, rat extermination costs slightly more than the national average. The exact labor cost will depend on whether your exterminator charges by the day, hour, or project. Some may charge per rat or use a flat-fee pricing system. And if you need emergency rat extermination, expect to pay extra to get someone to your home ASAP.
Inspection
A rat inspection helps your exterminator better understand the size and location of the rat infestation. This service costs between $120 and $240. However, many exterminators will waive this fee if you proceed with their treatment recommendations. If you’re unsure, ask your pest control pro before you move ahead.
Cleanup and Repairs
Mice and rats are notoriously messy. Even after extermination, you’ll have evidence like droppings, nests, and gnawed materials lingering in your home. Cleaning the area of the infestation is essential as rats can carry bacteria and viruses that can harm your family’s health. A professional cleaner can properly sanitize the area, though hiring a cleaner will add to your overall costs.
Once the area is clean, you may need to repair the drywall, wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Below, see how much you can expect to pay for a pro to complete these repairs after the rats have moved on.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost in Austin |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | $210–$530 |
| Drywall | $410–$940 |
| HVAC | $90–$1,420 |
| Electrical | $180–$590 |
Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?
Rat extermination services won’t increase your home value, but they may prevent a decrease. If you list your home for sale with an existing rat infestation, you’ll find it hard to get an offer. Homebuyers will be put off by a home that shows signs of a rodent problem and will be less likely to put in an offer. If you do get an offer, it may be for less than you hoped to sell your home for. That’s why it’s essential to call an exterminator if you notice any signs of a rat infestation rather than putting it off and hoping the critters will move along on their own.
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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