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How a pest controller works out the price
General pest treatments, covering the inside and outside of a home, are usually a fixed price per visit that rises with the size of the property and the pest. Single-pest jobs such as ants, cockroaches, spiders or rodents are priced separately. Termite work is priced by the inspection, then by the treatment: a chemical barrier or baiting system is quoted for the whole house, often by the length of the perimeter. We did not find a per-metre price in any source. Ongoing plans add servicing visits.
- Inspection of the property to identify the pest and the extent of the problem
- A fixed price for the treatment, by pest and property size
- Treatment of the inside, outside and entry points, using licensed chemicals or baits
- For termites, a barrier or baiting system sized to the perimeter of the building
- Follow-up visits, which may cost extra or be included
- GST, if the quote is exclusive of it
Worked example: General treatment, termite inspection and a wasp nest on the same visit (illustrative, not a quote)
- General pest treatment, inside and out
- $310
- Termite inspection
- $375
- Wasp nest removal
- $235
- Total
- $920 total (illustrative)
What it costs, by scenario
Low, typical and high prices. Built on 19 October 2026 from two Airtasker category guides, one pest controller's own price page, two compiled city guides and state regulator pages. Each range is the overlap of the sources that price that job; two sources state no GST basis and the compiled guides say theirs include it, so the basis is treated as unconfirmed.
General pest treatment, inside and outside (per visit)
The range three sources share. The typical is the middle of that range. Individual sources run from $147 to $520.
- Low
- $205
- Typical
- $310
- High
- $415
Cockroach treatment (per visit)
The range three sources share. One pest controller's price list starts at $440, so heavy infestations cost more.
- Low
- $166
- Typical
- $230
- High
- $295
Ant treatment (per visit)
The range three sources share. The same pest controller's list starts at $440.
- Low
- $200
- Typical
- $240
- High
- $275
Spider treatment (per visit)
The range three sources share. One pest controller lists spider treatment from $253.
- Low
- $178
- Typical
- $220
- High
- $260
Rodent control, baiting and traps (per visit)
The range three sources share. A pest controller's price list starts at $440 and follow-up visits are priced separately.
- Low
- $230
- Typical
- $275
- High
- $320
Wasp or bee nest removal (per job)
The range three sources share. One pest controller lists removal from $198. Bees may be relocated by a beekeeper instead.
- Low
- $150
- Typical
- $235
- High
- $320
Termite inspection (per visit)
The range two compiled guides share, and a pest controller's list starts at $275. A combined general pest and termite inspection bundle is $370 to $600 in one guide.
- Low
- $290
- Typical
- $375
- High
- $460
Termite spot treatment of a localised area (per job)
The range three sources share. An active infestation across the home can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more in one source.
- Low
- $330
- Typical
- $495
- High
- $660
Chemical termite barrier, whole house (installed)
The range four sources share. Two compiled guides run to $5,050 and $6,300 for larger homes. We found no per-metre price.
- Low
- $2,300
- Typical
- $2,900
- High
- $3,500
Termite baiting system, whole house (installed)
The range three sources share. Annual servicing of the bait stations is extra, at $300 to $600 a year in one source.
- Low
- $2,500
- Typical
- $3,000
- High
- $3,500
Termite bait station servicing, ongoing (per year)
One source only (a pest controller's price list). The typical is the middle of its range. We found no price for general pest plans.
- Low
- $300
- Typical
- $450
- High
- $600
| Scenario | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| General pest treatment, inside and outside (per visit)The range three sources share. The typical is the middle of that range. Individual sources run from $147 to $520. | $205 | $310 | $415 |
| Cockroach treatment (per visit)The range three sources share. One pest controller's price list starts at $440, so heavy infestations cost more. | $166 | $230 | $295 |
| Ant treatment (per visit)The range three sources share. The same pest controller's list starts at $440. | $200 | $240 | $275 |
| Spider treatment (per visit)The range three sources share. One pest controller lists spider treatment from $253. | $178 | $220 | $260 |
| Rodent control, baiting and traps (per visit)The range three sources share. A pest controller's price list starts at $440 and follow-up visits are priced separately. | $230 | $275 | $320 |
| Wasp or bee nest removal (per job)The range three sources share. One pest controller lists removal from $198. Bees may be relocated by a beekeeper instead. | $150 | $235 | $320 |
| Termite inspection (per visit)The range two compiled guides share, and a pest controller's list starts at $275. A combined general pest and termite inspection bundle is $370 to $600 in one guide. | $290 | $375 | $460 |
| Termite spot treatment of a localised area (per job)The range three sources share. An active infestation across the home can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more in one source. | $330 | $495 | $660 |
| Chemical termite barrier, whole house (installed)The range four sources share. Two compiled guides run to $5,050 and $6,300 for larger homes. We found no per-metre price. | $2,300 | $2,900 | $3,500 |
| Termite baiting system, whole house (installed)The range three sources share. Annual servicing of the bait stations is extra, at $300 to $600 a year in one source. | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 |
| Termite bait station servicing, ongoing (per year)One source only (a pest controller's price list). The typical is the middle of its range. We found no price for general pest plans. | $300 | $450 | $600 |
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Find a providerWhat changes the price
- Type of pest. Ants, cockroaches, spiders, rodents and termites need different products and methods, and are priced separately.
- Size of the property. A larger home takes more product and time, and a termite barrier is sized to the perimeter of the building.
- Severity. A heavy infestation needs follow-up visits. An active termite infestation across a house costs much more than a spot treatment.
- Treatment method. A chemical barrier and a baiting system are priced differently, and baiting adds yearly servicing.
- Access. Roof voids, sub-floors and slab edges that are hard to reach add time.
- Location. Compiled city guides price Sydney higher than Adelaide for the same treatment, in line with wages and demand.
What's usually included, and what isn't
Usually included
- An inspection to identify the pest and where it is entering
- Treatment of the areas quoted, inside and outside
- Licensed chemicals, baits or traps
- Travel to your home
- A report, for termite inspections
Often extra
- Follow-up visits, unless the quote says they are included
- Repairs to timber, plaster or other damage caused by termites
- A building and pest report for a property purchase, which is quoted separately
- Termite barriers or baiting for an entire home, when only a spot treatment was quoted
- Ongoing service plans
Metro and regional differences
Metro: Capital cities have many pest controllers, so there is more to compare, but wages and travel time push prices up. A compiled Sydney guide prices a general treatment at $205 to $520, against $165 to $415 for Adelaide.
Regional: We did not find separate regional price lists. Travel to a smaller town can add to the visit price, and pest pressure, such as termites, varies by climate and region, which can change what a treatment involves.
Licensing and compliance
In every state we could confirm, using pesticides for a fee needs a licence, and termite work often needs more.
New South Wales: the Environment Protection Authority issues pest management technician licences under the Pesticides Act 1999, and a separate timber pest management technician licence is needed for termites and other timber pests (required from 17 December 2023 for new applicants and at renewal).
NSW Fair Trading handles consumer complaints about pest control services.
Victoria: the Department of Health issues pesticide technician and trainee licences under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, covering general pesticides with or without timber pests, pest animal control and fumigants.
Queensland: the QBCC issues a Termite management chemical licence for chemical termite systems and for inspecting and reporting on termite infestations, and its page says that licence holders must also hold a Queensland Pest Management Licence issued by the Department of Health.
Western Australia: the Department of Health requires a licence for any pest management treatment under the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011, with the Certificate III in Urban Pest Management as approved training and a registered business for self-employed technicians (page last reviewed 21 September 2026).
We could not open the South Australian, Tasmanian, ACT or Northern Territory regulator pages for this work, so we make no claim about them.
Ask for the licence number and check it on the regulator's register.
Before you accept a quote, check
- Which pest and which areas does the price cover, inside, outside and roof void?
- Are follow-up visits included, and for how long?
- For termites, is it a spot treatment, a barrier or a baiting system, and how is the perimeter measured?
- Is there a yearly servicing charge for bait stations or a plan?
- Does the quote say whether GST is included?
- What is the technician's licence number, and which products will they use?
Frequently asked questions
How much does general pest control cost?
About $205 to $415 a visit for a treatment inside and out in the figures three of our sources share. Individual sources run from $147 to $520.
How much does a termite inspection cost?
About $290 to $460 in the range two compiled guides share, and one pest controller lists inspections from $275. A combined pest and termite inspection bundle can cost $370 to $600.
How much does a termite barrier cost?
A chemical barrier for a whole house is about $2,300 to $3,500 in the range our sources share, and up to about $6,300 in the largest compiled figure. We did not find a per-metre price.
Is baiting cheaper than a chemical barrier?
Not always. Baiting a whole house is about $2,500 to $3,500, similar to a barrier, and the bait stations need servicing, at $300 to $600 a year in one source.
Do ongoing pest control plans cost less?
We did not find a price for general pest plans in any source, so we cannot say. Ask for the visit price and the plan price side by side.
Does the pest controller need a licence?
Yes, in the states we could confirm: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Termite work can need an extra licence. Ask for the number and check it with the regulator.
Sources and method
Built on 19 October 2026 from two Airtasker category guides, one pest controller's own price page, two compiled city guides and state regulator pages. Each range is the overlap of the sources that price that job; two sources state no GST basis and the compiled guides say theirs include it, so the basis is treated as unconfirmed. How we calculate our guides.
- Airtasker: pest control cost (category guide, last updated 3 March 2025) (marketplace, 3 March 2025)
- Airtasker: termite treatment cost (category guide, last updated 14 November 2023) (marketplace, 14 November 2023)
- Allstate Pest Control: pest control cost Adelaide (pest controller's own price page, 28 May 2026) (supplier, 28 May 2026)
- What's The Damage: pest control cost Sydney (compiled guide; states prices include GST) (survey, 19 October 2026)
- What's The Damage: pest control cost Adelaide (compiled guide; states prices include GST) (survey, 19 October 2026)
- business.gov.au ABLIS: NSW pest management technician or fumigator licence (NSW EPA) (regulator, 19 October 2026)
- NSW Fair Trading: do not deal with unlicensed pest controllers (14 August 2020) (regulator, 14 August 2020)
- Victorian Department of Health: pest control licence applications (regulator, 19 October 2026)
- QBCC: Termite management, chemical licence (regulator, 19 October 2026)
- WA Department of Health: pesticide licensing frequently asked questions (last reviewed 21 September 2026) (regulator, 21 September 2026)
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