The Short Answer
On our estimates, a pest controller charges about £120 to £300 to deal with rats or mice, usually over two visits. A severe infestation with proofing and clean-up runs to £300 to £500 or more. Same-day call-outs cost extra.
Your council may be cheaper: when we checked in October 2026, Manchester City Council charged £58 for rats and £101 for mice, each for up to three visits.
Rat and mouse control prices
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Standard treatment (usually two visits) | £120 to £300 |
| Severe infestation, with proofing or clean-up | £300 to £500 |
| Same-day or emergency call-out | £120 to £250 |
| Extra follow-up visits, each | £50 to £100 |
| Proofing (sealing gaps, fitting mesh) | £80 to £250 |
| CCTV drain survey, if rats are coming from the drains | £100 to £350 |
| Standard treatment in London | £180 to £350 |
| Pest control specialist, per day | £200 to £260 |
A treatment can involve monitoring for up to 6 weeks, and repairs to any damage the rodents have done are priced separately.
What the visits involve
A typical two-visit treatment:
- First visit: inspect inside and out for signs and the way in, block the entry points, and set traps or bait stations.
- Second visit: check the results and clear the traps.
The methods depend on the job: snap traps for smaller problems, electric traps indoors, and rodenticide bait stations for severe infestations. Many firms offer a free first consultation and an aftercare visit, so ask what's included.
Proofing: stopping them coming back
To my mind, treating the rats you've got is half the job and blocking the way in is the other half. Proofing (sealing gaps and fitting mesh) costs about £80 to £250 on our estimates. I'd pay for it, or at least ask the pest controller to show you every entry point they found, so you can seal them yourself.
Rats from the drains
Rats can come from the drains, and tracking them can mean a CCTV drain survey, about £100 to £350 on our estimates. If the drain needs repairing, that's a separate job: see drains, including who's responsible for which pipe.
Council pest control
Councils set their own charges, and not all offer a service. Manchester's £58 for rats was well below private prices when we checked, and covered up to three visits. Look up your council first; if it doesn't treat rats or the wait is long, go private. More council prices are on our pest control page.
Get rats & mice quotes
Rodent treatment is usually two or more visits, plus blocking how they get in.
Free, no obligation. We're paid by MyJobQuote when a tradesperson buys your job, never by you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rat exterminator cost?
On our estimates, £120 to £300 for a standard treatment over two visits, and £180 to £350 in London.
Is it worth getting an exterminator for rats?
For an infestation, I'd say yes: they find the way in, treat it, come back to check, and can proof the gaps. Try your council first for price.
How many visits does it take to get rid of rats?
Usually at least two, sometimes more, with monitoring that can last up to 6 weeks.
Does the council get rid of rats for free?
Some councils charge: Manchester charged £58 for up to three visits when we checked. Others don't offer the service, so check yours.
How much does it cost to get rid of mice?
About the same as rats privately, £120 to £240 on our estimates. Manchester's council charged £101.
How we priced thisView sources (1, 1 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- OfficialPest control: our treatment charges, Manchester City Council. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
