How much does rodent removal from an attic cost?
Updated
Short answer
Checking the attic for rodents yourself costs nothing beyond a flashlight and a dust mask, and takes 20 to 30 minutes. The cost arrives when the check finds droppings, chewed insulation or gnawed wiring: a pest company charges $150 to $400 to trap or remove the rodents and seal the holes they came through. The free check twice a year is what keeps the problem at the trapping stage rather than the rewiring stage.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $150 to $400 |
| Total | $0 | $150 to $400 |
The DIY column is the inspection, which needs a flashlight and a dust mask you likely have. The pro column is the removal visit, which includes finding the entry points, sealing them, and trapping or removing what's inside.
What drives the cost
- What's living there. Mice are the low end. Rats, squirrels or raccoons take bigger traps, more visits and sometimes a wildlife permit, and cost more.
- The entry points. A single gap at a soffit is sealed in minutes. A roofline with many gaps, or a vent screen that's rusted through, takes longer to close up.
- Follow-up visits. Trapping takes more than one trip, and a company that quotes a flat price for the job is easier to budget than one that charges per visit.
- Cleanup. Removing soiled insulation and sanitizing the attic is a separate job, and it's the expensive part of a long-running infestation.
- Damage. Chewed wiring is an electrician's call, and chewed ductwork is an HVAC call. Neither is included in the removal price.
DIY vs. pro
The check is yours: how often to inspect the attic for rodents is twice a year, with a flashlight along the eaves and the top plates, looking for droppings, nesting and chewed insulation. It costs nothing.
A few mice are a reasonable DIY job with snap traps and a tube of sealant for the gaps, and the cost is small. Call the pest company for the $150 to $400 visit when the droppings are larger than rice, when there's noise in the ceiling at night, when traps keep catching without an end, or when you find chewed wiring. Rodents in the attic are a fire risk through the wiring and a health risk through the droppings, so don't let a free check turn into a long wait.
FAQ
How much does it cost to get rid of mice in the attic?
$150 to $400 for a pest company to trap and remove them and seal the entry points. Cleanup and any wiring repair are separate.
Can I remove attic rodents myself?
Mice, yes, with snap traps and sealant for the gaps. Rats, squirrels and raccoons are a job for a pest or wildlife company.
How do I know if there are rodents in the attic?
Droppings, chewed insulation, nesting material, a smell, and scratching or scurrying in the ceiling at night. A twice-a-year check with a flashlight finds the signs early.
Does homeowners insurance cover rodent damage?
Usually not, since it's considered a maintenance issue. The free inspection is the insurance.