Pest Control Cost in Australia: Termites, Ants, Rodents, General Spray (2026)

Pest control in Australia costs $150 to $350 for a general spray, $250 to $450 for a termite inspection, and $2,500 to $6,000 for a termite barrier. Rodents, ants and bed bugs each have their own price. Here is what the common treatments cost in 2026, what changes the price, and how often you actually need them.

Prices are typical metro ranges including GST for a standard three-bedroom home.

Pest control prices

Termites - the one that matters

Termites cause more damage to Australian homes each year than fire, floods and storms combined, and it is not covered by home insurance. The costs:

Inspection ($250 - $450). A licensed technician checks the house, roof void, subfloor and yard with a moisture meter and thermal camera, and gives you a written report. Once a year in most of the country; every six months in high-risk areas (much of Queensland, northern NSW, Perth, Darwin).

Chemical barrier ($2,500 - $6,000). Trenching and treating the soil around the whole perimeter, drilling through paths and slabs where needed. Lasts five to eight years depending on the product. Price scales with the perimeter length and how much concrete has to be drilled.

Baiting system ($3,000 - $5,000 plus monitoring). Stations installed around the perimeter and checked every six to twelve weeks. Less disruptive than a barrier, and the only option on some sites. The ongoing cost is the trade-off.

Live termite treatment ($500 - $2,000). Treating an active infestation with foam, dust or bait. Almost always followed by a barrier or baiting system - killing the termites you can see without protecting the house is a short-term fix.

What makes pest control cost more

• House size and storeys. Double storey and large blocks take longer.
• Construction. Slab on ground versus subfloor changes the termite approach entirely.
• Severity. An established German cockroach infestation in a kitchen needs multiple visits.
• Access. Tight roof voids and subfloors.
• Product choice. Premium termiticides (Termidor, Altriset) cost more than generic and last longer.
• Location. Termite pressure and pricing are both higher in Queensland and northern regions.

Licensing and safety

Pest controllers must be licensed in every state, and the chemicals they use are restricted. Ask for the licence number and the product name. A legitimate operator will give you a written treatment report listing what was applied and where, and will tell you how long to keep children and pets off treated surfaces.

Getting a fair pest control quote

1. Describe the problem and the house - bedrooms, storeys, slab or subfloor, and what you have seen.
2. Get two or three quotes. Post the job once and local pest controllers will price it.
3. Ask what’s included: interior and exterior, roof void, follow-up visits, warranty period.
4. For termites, ask for the product name and the warranty length. Barriers should come with a five to eight year warranty tied to annual inspections.
5. Be wary of very cheap general sprays that turn into a hard sell for termite work on the day. Get the inspection separately if you want it.

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