Bed bug treatment costs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey range from $1,200 to $4,000 for most single-family homes, depending on property size, infestation severity, and treatment method.
According to Angi, the national average bed bug treatment cost is $2,500, with heat treatment typically costing $1 to $3 per square foot.
Heat treatment is the preferred method used by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey technicians for large infestations because it eliminates bed bugs at all life stages in a single visit–-less than 24 hours for eradication.
Chemical treatments cost less per visit but require multiple applications spaced two weeks apart, making them better suited for smaller infestations confined to a single room.
Companies like The Pest Rangers include the cost of K9 bed bug inspections in the final service price, while others charge for inspections and follow-up services separately.
This guide breaks down bed bug treatment pricing by property type, treatment method, and geographic factors specific to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It explains what impacts your final cost and what professional treatment includes.
Bed Bug Treatment Cost in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Bed bug treatment rates tend to be slightly higher in New Jersey, but vary by property due to labor rates, square footage, and the prevalence of multi-unit housing, where infestations spread more rapidly.
Average Bed Bug Treatment Cost in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania homeowners typically pay $1,200 to $3,500 for bed bug treatment, depending on the square footage.
- $1,200–$2,500 for apartments or small homes under 1500 square feet
- $2,000–$3,500+ for larger single-family homes over 2000 square feet
Prices are generally higher in urban areas like the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County than in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Larger properties will also drive up expenses due to increased labor and time invested in treatment.
Average Bed Bug Treatment Cost in New Jersey
New Jersey homeowners typically pay $1,500 to $4,000 for bed bug treatment, with prices varying by property type and square footage.
- $1,500–$3,000 for condos and townhomes under 1500 square feet
- $2,500–$4,000+ for larger properties over 2000 square feet
Prices for treatments in New Jersey are generally higher in urban areas like Trenton, where shared housing allows infestations to spread more quickly. Areas outside Camden tend to be more expensive due to increased demand for residential and commercial properties.
What Determines Bed Bug Treatment Pricing
Several variables impact the final cost of bed bug treatment. Property size and infestation severity are the primary factors, but clutter level, multi-unit housing considerations, and follow-up service requirements also affect pricing.
Property Size
Square footage directly determines labor time and the amount of equipment required.
Heat treatment costs $1 to $3 per square foot, according to Angi, with an average 1,200-square-foot apartment costing between $1,200 and $3,600 for heat treatment. A 2,500-square-foot home costs $2,500 to $7,500, though most Pennsylvania and New Jersey providers cap residential pricing at $3,500 to $4,000 regardless of square footage.
The number of rooms requiring treatment also impacts cost. If bed bugs are isolated to one or two bedrooms, your inspector may only recommend chemical treatment confined to infested rooms.
The Pest Rangers charges approximately $650 per room for liquid chemical treatment, making targeted treatment more affordable for localized infestations.
Infestation Severity
Light infestations confined to one or two pieces of furniture require less labor and fewer heat cycles. Severe infestations where bed bugs have spread throughout the home, into wall voids, and behind baseboards require more intensive treatment.
Bed bugs reproduce rapidly–a single fertilized female can lay 200 to 500 eggs over her lifetime. Therefore, detecting an infestation early can significantly lower the final cost of bed bug treatment.
Clutter Level
Heat treatment requires clear pathways for hot air circulation.
Clutter blocks airflow and creates cold spots where bed bugs can survive treatment. Homes with excessive clutter require additional prep time: moving furniture away from walls, removing items from closets, and clearing floor space.
Some pest control companies charge additional prep fees for heavily cluttered properties. Others provide a detailed preparation checklist and require homeowners to complete prep work before the scheduled treatment date.
Failure to properly prepare can result in treatment failure and the need for repeat visits.
Multi-Unit Housing
Apartments, condos, and duplexes present unique challenges for bed bug exterminators.
Bed bugs travel through wall voids, electrical conduits, and shared plumbing. Treating a single unit without inspecting adjacent units allows the infestation to persist.
Professional treatment in multi-unit buildings requires coordination with property management and inspection of neighboring units.
According to the National Pest Management Association, bed bugs are among the most difficult pests to control in multi-unit housing due to constant reinfestation from untreated neighboring units. Treatment costs in apartment buildings typically exceed those in single-family homes due to coordination and additional inspection requirements.
Follow-Up Services
Heat treatment eliminates bed bugs in one visit when performed correctly. However, follow-up inspections 7 to 14 days after treatment confirm eradication and catch any surviving eggs that may have been in areas that did not reach lethal temperatures.
Some pest control companies include one follow-up inspection in their base price. Others charge $75 to $200 for follow-up visits.
Chemical treatment always requires multiple visits spaced two weeks apart, with each visit costing $200 to $400 per room according to Angi. Clarify what follow-up services are included when comparing quotes.
Heat Treatment vs. Chemical Treatment Cost Comparison
Heat treatment and chemical treatment are the two primary methods for bed bug elimination.
Heat treatment costs more upfront but typically resolves infestations in one visit. Chemical treatment costs less per visit but requires multiple applications, often making it more expensive overall.
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment involves raising the temperature of the entire property or individual rooms to 120°F to 140°F for 6 to 10 hours. At these temperatures, bed bugs at all life stages die within minutes.
- Average cost: $1 to $3 per square foot (Angi), or $2,200 to $2,700+ for whole-home treatment (The Pest Rangers)
- Time required: 6 to 10 hours for treatment, plus 2 to 4 hours for setup and teardown
- Effectiveness: Kills eggs, nymphs, and adults in a single treatment
- Completion: Typically, one visit eliminates the infestation when prep work is completed properly
Heat treatment is preferred in Pennsylvania and New Jersey because it can be done in a single visit, produces no chemical residue, and does not contribute to pesticide resistance. The upfront cost is higher, but the total cost is typically lower than multi-visit chemical treatment programs.
Chemical Treatment
Liquid chemical treatment uses EPA-registered insecticides applied to cracks, crevices, mattress seams, bed frames, and other areas where bed bugs hide.
Multiple applications are required because eggs are resistant to most pesticides, and newly hatched nymphs must be targeted in follow-up visits.
- Average cost: $200 to $400 per room per visit (Angi), or ~$650 per room (The Pest Rangers)
- Time required: 1 to 3 hours per visit
- Effectiveness: Kills adults and nymphs; eggs often survive and require follow-up treatment
- Completion: Typically requires 2 to 3 visits spaced 10 to 14 days apart
Chemical treatment costs less per visit but more overall when multiple visits are required.
Commercial Pest Control Costs in PA and NJ
Residential and commercial properties require different treatment approaches and pricing structures. Whereas homes can be treated in a single day with minimal disruption, commercial properties require phased treatment plans and extensive documentation.
Hotels, motels, assisted living facilities, and apartment buildings are the most vulnerable to bed bugs and face significantly higher treatment costs. Pricing depends on room count, occupancy rates, and whether treatment can be phased or must be completed simultaneously.
Hotels typically treat infested rooms individually at $400 to $1,200 per room, depending on size and furnishings.
Apartment buildings may require treating multiple units simultaneously to prevent migration, with costs scaling with the number of infested units and buffer units on shared walls.
Commercial bed bug treatment includes additional coordination: notifying tenants or guests, scheduling around occupancy, and providing documentation for regulatory compliance or litigation defense. These factors increase labor time and administrative costs beyond residential treatment.
What’s Included in a Bed Bug Treatment Quote?
Not all bed bug treatment quotes include the same services.
Professional treatment should always include an initial inspection, temperature monitoring during heat treatment, and a written preparation checklist. Some companies include follow-up inspections; others charge separately.
Standard inclusions:
- Full property inspection to identify infested areas and assess severity
- Temperature monitoring sensors placed throughout treatment areas to verify lethal temperatures are reached
- Industrial heating equipment capable of raising room temperatures to 120°F minimum
- Treatment of all affected rooms and common pathways where bed bugs may travel
- Written preparation checklist detailing what must be removed, what can remain, and how to prepare bedding and furniture
Optional or separately-priced services:
- Mattress encasements to trap any surviving bed bugs and prevent future infestations
- Follow-up inspection 7 to 14 days after treatment to confirm elimination
- Retreatment guarantee if bed bugs are detected within 30 to 60 days (terms vary by company)
Always confirm what follow-up services are included before accepting a quote.
The lowest-priced quote may exclude follow-up visits or retreatment guarantees that other companies include, making direct price comparisons misleading.
FAQs
Why do bed bug treatment costs vary so much?
Treatment costs vary because every infestation presents different challenges. A 1,200-square-foot apartment with bed bugs isolated to one bedroom costs significantly less than a 2,500-square-foot home where bed bugs have spread to multiple rooms, furniture, and wall voids. Property size, infestation severity, clutter level, and treatment method all impact the final price.
Do heat treatments cost more than chemical treatments?
Heat treatments cost more per visit ($2,200 to $2,700+ for whole-home treatment) but typically eliminate infestations in one visit. Chemical treatments cost less per visit (~$650 per room) but require 2 to 3 applications spaced two weeks apart, often resulting in a higher total cost. Heat treatment also helps prevent pesticide resistance, thereby reducing the effectiveness of chemical treatments.
Does the size of the home affect cost?
Yes. Larger homes require more equipment, longer treatment times, and more labor. Heat treatment typically costs $1 to $3 per square foot, according to Angi. A 1,500-square-foot home costs $1,500 to $4,500 for heat treatment, while a 2,500-square-foot home costs $2,500 to $7,500, though most Pennsylvania and New Jersey providers cap residential pricing between $3,500 and $4,000.
Do multi-unit buildings cost more to treat?
Yes. Apartments, condos, and duplexes require inspections of adjacent units to prevent reinfestation from neighboring units. Treatment must be coordinated with property management and scheduled around tenant occupancy. These factors increase labor time and complexity, raising costs above single-family home treatment.
Are follow-up visits usually included?
It depends on the company and the treatment plan. Some providers include follow-up inspections and retreatments in their pricing, while others charge separately. Always confirm what is included before signing an agreement.
How much do bed bug inspections cost?
Bed bug inspections cost $75 to $200 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to Angi. The Pest Rangers charges $95 for inspections, which is applied toward the treatment cost if bed bugs are confirmed. Some companies offer free visual inspections but charge for more thorough canine detection inspections, which cost $300 to $600.
Should I get multiple quotes before choosing a provider?
Yes. Always compare quotes to ensure you find the service that best suits your needs. Remember, the cheapest option may not be the best, as it can omit essential steps to ensure the problem is addressed.
