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

Rats in your walls? That’s a Seattle horror story no one wants to star in. Whether you’ve spotted one doing parkour across your kitchen counter or discovered droppings in the attic, it’s time to bring in the pros. 

Homeowners in Seattle, WA, can expect to pay $412 for a visit from a rat exterminator. Depending on how deep the infestation runs and where those whiskered intruders are hiding, you might spend between $199 and $630. Acting quickly stops the squeaking and will help to protect your abode from long-term damage.

Rat Exterminator Cost Factors 

Living in Seattle means being surrounded by lush greenery and historic homes—which rats love to sneak inside. The city's damp climate and older housing stock can make it a rodent’s dream and a homeowner’s nightmare.

That’s why rat exterminator costs in Seattle vary quite a bit; it’s not just about how many rats are crashing at your place, but where they’re hiding and how tricky they are to reach. Homes near greenbelts, waterfronts, or dense neighborhoods might see higher costs, especially if rats are in crawl spaces or between walls.

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. 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 between $1 and $3.15 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

Most exterminators charge around $52.25 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 $209 to $627.

Fumigation Costs

If your rat exterminator suggests fumigation, a last resort method for a severe and dangerous rat infestation, expect to pay around $1 to $3.15 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 $52 to $157 for follow-up visits, which a pro may bundle in your estimate.

Extermination Pro Costs

Exterminators, including Seattle pest control experts, charge a flat rate per visit, not by the hour. That's because every job can be a wild card. One call might be a quick trap-and-go, while another turns into a full-blown rodent reconnaissance mission. Emergency calls can add additional service fees, especially on weekends or holidays.

In Seattle, pest control isn't just about setting traps. It's also about navigating one of the most expensive markets in the country. The cost of living here is about 45% higher than the national average, so labor, supplies, and overhead costs are steeper, meaning pest control services come with a higher price tag than you'd see in smaller or more affordable cities. On top of that, Seattle's combined sales tax rate is 10.35%, and yes, pest control services are taxable.

Does Rat Extermination Increase Home Value?

Rats can chew through wiring, insulation, and even structural elements, which means untreated infestations can quietly chip away at your dwelling structure, impacting property value. 

Professional extermination helps prevent damage and shows potential buyers that the home has been appropriately maintained. Having an extermination certificate on hand could speed up home inspections, smooth out negotiations, and add a layer of confidence for future homeowners. It’s one more way to keep your investment protected and rat-free.

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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