What drives pest control cost

The pest

A wasp nest on a porch is a small job. Bed bugs usually mean several visits and a lot of preparation. Termite work can involve drilling, trenching and large volumes of product, or bait stations that are monitored over time, and it comes with a contract. Roaches and rodents sit in between, depending on how established they are.

The house and how you get to the problem

• Size of the house and lot.
• Slab, crawl space or basement. Each one changes how termite work is done.
• Tight crawl spaces, finished basements and attics with little room to move.
• Clutter or stored items that must be moved first.
• Whether an apartment's neighboring units are also involved.

What's included

Two quotes can look different because they cover different things. Sealing entry holes may or may not be included in a rodent job. Follow-up visits may be built in or charged separately. A termite contract may cover retreatment only, or damage repair as well.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture suggests getting three bids if you don't know a company. It also says it has no authority over pricing or payment disputes, so settle those points in writing before work starts.

Questions to ask on the call

• Is there a charge for the inspection or the trip?
• Does the price change after you see the house?
• How many visits does that include?
• What happens, and what does it cost, if the pest comes back?
• Is there a contract, and how long does it run?