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Cost To Get Rid of Ants in NY
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Cost To Get Rid of Ants in NYC
Globally, our planet hosts more than 12,000 species of ants. However, for those who call New York home, it’s common to encounter species such as carpenter, pharaoh, pavement, and odorous house ants invading your cozy corners. Promptly warding off these tiny intruders is crucial as they can become a significant annoyance and potentially damage your home’s structure.
On average, the cost to get rid of ants in New York is $230. The real range is $140 to $376. Larger infestations can cost between $500 and $1,200 to eliminate.
Factors such as ant type, infestation level, home size, treatment technique, and frequency of treatment can affect the overall ant extermination cost. These cost factors have been discussed in detail below.
Average cost of ant control in NY
The following table shows the average ant extermination cost in New York.
| Description | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Average cost | $230 |
| Average range | $87 - $376 |
| Minimum cost | $87 |
| Maximum cost | $1,200 |
Cost factors affecting ant extermination in NY
If you spot ants in your home, consider hiring an ant exterminator to inspect and eliminate the infestation, if any. Exterminators will charge depending on several factors, as discussed below.
Ant type
The cost of ant control varies depending on the type of ants in your home. Fire ants and carpenter ants are quite challenging to eliminate, not to mention that fire ants can pose safety risks for exterminators. Eliminating these ants is generally more expensive, averaging between $150 and $350. Other common ants, such as sugar ants, cost about $150 to eliminate.
Below are the common home-invading ants and their characteristics to help you identify them easily.
| Ant type | Characteristics | Average extermination cost |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter ant | ⅜ to ½ inches long Usually black or reddish-brown in color Evenly rounded thorax Emits rotten, coconut-like odor when crushed or disturbed Do not sting | $250 - $500 |
| Fire Ant | ⅛ - ¼ inches long Yellowish or reddish-brown in color Painful sting Antennas with 2-segment clubs | $100 - $300 |
| Pharaoh ant | About 1/16 inches long Yellowish, yellow-brown or light red in color | $200 - $250 |
| Sugar ant | About 1/16 inches long Black males and orange-like females | $200 - $250 |
| Argentine ant | ⅛- ⅓ inches long Light-brown to black Wingless 12-segmented antennae Musty odor when crushed | $200 - $250 |
Your home size
Some companies offer a flat rate for ant extermination as long as your home is within the average home size they service. Other companies, however, will charge by the square footage of your home.
The following table shows how your home’s square footage can affect the overall ant treatment cost.
| Square footage of home | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 500 square feet | $150 - $200 |
| 1,000 square feet | $170 - $250 |
| 2,000 square feet | $200 - $300 |
| 3,000 square feet | $240 - $350 |
| 4,000 square feet | $300 - $500 |
Size of infestation
The level of ant infestation determines how much labor, expertise, method and time required to eliminate the ants. That said, the average extermination cost will be determined with the level of infestation, ranging from small, to medium to large.
Here is how much you are likely to pay your ant exterminator depending on how severe the infestation is.
| Infestation level | Average extermination cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $150 - $350 |
| Medium | $250 - $600 |
| Large | $400 - $700+ |
| Severe | $800 - $1,400 |
Location of infestation
Sometimes, professional ant exterminators charge differently depending on where the infestation is exactly. Ants in hard-to-reach areas like your home’s foundation will cost a lot more to eliminate, about $500 or more.
On the other hand, ants in more accessible areas like the kitchen are easier and cheaper to remove and will cost as little as $80.
Extermination method
The cost of ant extermination also depends on the method the pest control expert uses. The technique employed is determined by the type of ant and the degree of infestation. Once the exterminators assess the ant species in your home, they will decide on the best elimination technique.
Here are the common ant treatment methods exterminators use and their average costs.
| Extermination method | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Barrier spray | $80 - $150 |
| Mound treatment | $100 - $150 |
| Poison treatment | $100 - $220 |
| Two-step treatment method | $500 - $1,000+ |
| Ant fumigation | $1,300 - $4,000 |
Frequency of treatment
The average ant extermination cost also depends on the frequency of the treatment. A one-time ant treatment costs about $150 on average. If you need subsequent treatment, the average price for the individual treatments will be lower. Annual treatments cost about $400 to $500. For severe infestations, you can pay upwards of $1,400 for periodic treatments.
DIY vs hiring a pro ant extermination cost
Both DIY and professional ant treatment methods can be effective, depending on the level of infestation and type of ant present in your home.
DIY ant extermination cost
Small ant infestations can be eliminated through DIY methods such as ant baits and bait stations. Here is how much DIY ant treatment products cost.
- Granule ant baits: these cost about $10 to $20. They are easy to spread across extensive areas, including your home’s perimeter and yards.
- Gel ant baits: expect to spend about $20 to $30 for gel ant baits. These baits can easily seep into small cracks and crevices to kill ants in hard-to-reach places.
- Bait stations: these cost between $20 and $30 and are long-lasting compared to other methods. However, they cannot kill ants in tight spaces.
Professional ant treatment
While home and remedies are cheaper than professional treatment, they may not be effective for larger infestations. If you have a large ant infestation or cannot establish the size of the infestation, it is best to call professional pest control services.
Professional extermination will be more expensive than using DIY methods, but the experts will eliminate your ant problem and answer any questions you might have. They will also guide you on how to prevent future ant infestations.
Benefits of hiring professional ant exterminators
Below are the main benefits of hiring professional services to get rid of your ant problem.
- Professional ant treatment may be cheaper in the long run as you will not have to eliminate repeated infestations.
- Professionals have enough experience and know how to eliminate the ant infestation without causing further damage.
- A professional knows the best approach to eliminating your ant problem and will use the right chemicals and ant repellents.
- Professional ant treatment is faster, so you can get back to your regular routine quickly.
Before hiring an ant extermination service, ensure they have proper licensing and the products they use are eco-friendly and pet-safe. Also, check their online ratings, reviews, experience, and reliability.
Can ants damage your home?
Yes, ants can damage your home’s interior and exterior, and the type of damage depends on the type of ant present. When these pests nest inside your home without your knowledge, they can eat through electrical wires, wood panels, insulation, and even drywall.
If the infestation is large, your home can suffer major structural damage. But it may take years for an ant to cause such significant damage. Still, it is advised to eliminate an infestation early on to avoid putting your home, kids, and pets at risk.
Signs and of an ant infestation
If you notice the following signs, you may be dealing with an ant infestation.
- Live ants in your home or outdoors
- Frass near wood (cabinets, door frames, attics, dark closets, etc.)
- Rustling or gnawing sounds on wood or in ant nests
- Visible damage on furniture and door/window frames
- Dead ants or ant wings
How to avoid future ant infestations
Here are a few ways to keep ants away:
- Keep your countertops and tables clean and dry.
- Vacuum or sweep your home every week to get rid of food crumbs on the floor.
- Wash dirty dishes immediately after meals.
- Store your food in airtight containers.
- Seal cracks and gaps around your home using caulk.
- Use home remedies such as repellents (peppermint oil, vinegar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, etc.) to keep ants away.
When to call an ant exterminator
If you suspect that you might be having an ant problem, you can check for signs of infestation to be sure you are dealing with an infestation. You can also start using DIY treatment methods if the infestation is small. For larger infestations, it is best to hire a professional ant extermination service.
FAQ's
Yes, hiring an ant exterminator is worth it, especially if you are dealing with notorious ants like fire ants or carpenter ants. Also, if the infestation is huge, hiring a professional would be a better call, as they will eliminate the ants using proper methods.
It can take anywhere between a few days to weeks for the ants to die off. However, for most pesticides, you can start seeing results within the first 48 hours.
Most pest exterminators specialize in other types of pest control. Therefore, they can eliminate other pests in your home, but the overall cost of the treatment may be higher depending on how many pests need to be eliminated. Also, keep in mind that the cost of treating different pests varies.
