PestKeen

Bed Bug Extermination Cost

Should you choose Heat or Chemical? Calculate the real cost difference and find out which method actually works for your situation.

Infestation Details

Studio/16+

DIY Warning: Bed bugs have a 76% failure rate with DIY methods. Improper use of "bug bombs" essentially scatters them deeper into walls.

Treatment Options

Recommended

Heat Treatment

Heats home to 140°F+. Kills adults & eggs instantly.

$3,600
Est. Total
One-day process
Kills eggs immediately
No chemicals
Prep work required
Higher upfront cost

Chemical Treatment

Traditional spray. Requires multiple visits.

$1,575
Est. Total
Lower upfront cost
2-4 visits required
Eggs may survive

Heat vs. Chemical: The Honest Truth

When dealing with Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius), speed is everything. They reproduce exponentially. This calculator compares the two gold-standard professional methods.

🔥 Heat Treatment

The whole house is heated to ~140°F for several hours.

  • ✓ Kills adults, nymphs, AND eggs instantly.
  • ✓ Problem solved in 1 day.
  • ✗ Expensive ($2,000+ typically).

🧪 Chemical Spray

Technician sprays baseboards, furniture, and crevices.

  • ✓ Cheaper upfront.
  • ✗ Often misses hidden eggs.
  • ✗ Requires 2-3 follow-up visits over weeks.

Why DIY Fails

Bed bugs have developed resistance to many common store-bought pyrethroids. Foggers ("Bug Bombs") are actively harmful—they detect the chemical and scatter deep into wall voids, making the infestation harder to treat.