Affordable Pest Control in Sacramento

How much does pest control cost?

No public source tracks pest control prices for Sacramento, so the ranges below are national figures from cost guides. They show what a quote should roughly look like, and Sacramento prices can land higher or lower.

What free help is available in Sacramento?

For mosquitoes, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District offers free home inspections and free mosquitofish, and takes neglected pool reports at 1-800-429-1022. The district may also treat yellowjacket nests in the ground, trees or walls, though it can't treat nests that have gone into a building's structure or upper floors of multi-story buildings. A private nest removal runs $325 to $450 in Fixr's national guide.

In Placer County, the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District covers mosquitoes, ticks and yellowjackets. Check what your local district offers before you pay for the same service.

No utility rebate or county subsidy for private pest control could be confirmed for this page, so don't count on one. Ask your landlord or local district first.

If I rent, does my landlord pay?

Usually, yes. California Civil Code §1941.1 requires rentals to be free of rodents and vermin, and the Attorney General's tenant guide lists pest control for rodents, roaches and bed bugs as a landlord duty. The exception is when a tenant's failure to keep the unit clean or dispose of garbage substantially caused the problem (§1941.2).

Report the pests in writing and keep a copy. That is cheaper than paying a company yourself and protects you if the landlord pushes back.

What can I do myself first?

Many pest problems start with food, water and entry points. UC IPM's advice costs little:

• Ants: wipe trails with soapy water, caulk entry points and use baits; indoor sprays usually aren't necessary
• Cockroaches: seal food, fix leaks, clean behind appliances and use bait gels; skip foggers
• Rats and mice: seal every opening larger than 1/4 inch, trim branches away from the roof and trap
• Termite prevention: keep wood away from soil and fix moisture problems
• Mosquitoes: dump standing water weekly

When does the cheap option cost more later?

Spraying alone is the usual trap. UC IPM says insecticide sprays don't give long-term control of cockroaches and that foggers can scatter them. For ants, it says baits are more effective and safer than sprays, and that perimeter sprays sometimes trap ants indoors. A company that sells monthly spray visits can cost you far more than one that uses baits and sealing.

For rats, UC IPM says sealing is the longest-lasting fix; a trapping-only quote may mean repeat visits. For drywood termites, the Structural Pest Control Board says spot treatment leaves hidden infestations in the rest of the house untouched. Ultrasonic devices are a waste: UC IPM says rats get used to them.

How do I compare written quotes?

Get at least two or three quotes and compare what is in them, not the bottom line. For termites, UC IPM suggests at least three inspection reports, and the Board warns against pressure to sign right away with specials or scare tactics. Some companies credit an inspection fee toward treatment, according to Fixr.

• Pest, method and pesticide, with the active ingredient
• How many visits and which follow-ups are included
• Whether sealing entry points is included
• What the warranty covers, how long it runs and what voids it
• Add-ons and extra fees, such as weekend or emergency visits (Fixr lists $100 to $200 for emergency termite visits)
• The company's registration and licensee, which you verify on the Board's license search

Is a monthly or quarterly plan worth it?

Not always. Fixr lists monthly visits at $31 to $56 each and quarterly visits at $98 to $178; Bob Vila's 2023 guide lists $600 to $1,300 a year for monthly service. A plan makes sense if you have a recurring problem such as ants returning every summer. If you have a one-off problem, ask for a one-time treatment with a follow-up visit instead. Ask what each visit includes before you commit.

Does handling it early save money?

Yes. The national cost guides say infestation size and access drive price, and a small problem is cheaper than a large one. Heavy infestations need more visits, and nests inside walls cost more to treat than ones in the open: Fixr lists in-wall wasp nests at $350 to $875, against ground nests starting around $200.

Frequently asked questions

Available across the Sacramento area

• Sacramento
• Elk Grove
• Roseville
• Folsom
• Citrus Heights
• Rancho Cordova
• Rocklin
• Lincoln
• Davis
• West Sacramento
• Woodland
• El Dorado Hills
• Carmichael
• Fair Oaks
• Orangevale
• Arden-Arcade
• Antelope
• North Highlands
• Granite Bay
• Gold River
• Rio Linda
• Galt
• Auburn
• Cameron Park
• Placerville
• Loomis