The Southeast is pest control territory. Between the humidity, the mild winters, and the endless supply of termites, roaches, and mosquitoes, pest control is a year-round business down here. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that competition is fierce, and a lot of guys are racing to the bottom on price.
I pulled together real pricing data from pest control operators across Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia. Here's what 2026 looks like.
General Pest Control Pricing by State
These are for standard residential general pest treatments (quarterly service, interior and exterior):
| State | Initial Treatment | Quarterly Service | Annual Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (Atlanta metro) | $150 - $225 | $45 - $75 | $330 - $525 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte / Raleigh) | $140 - $210 | $42 - $70 | $310 - $490 |
| South Carolina (Charleston / Greenville) | $130 - $200 | $40 - $65 | $290 - $460 |
| Tennessee (Nashville / Memphis) | $135 - $205 | $40 - $68 | $295 - $475 |
| Alabama (Birmingham / Huntsville) | $120 - $185 | $38 - $60 | $270 - $425 |
| Virginia (Richmond / Virginia Beach) | $145 - $220 | $44 - $72 | $320 - $510 |
Atlanta and the Virginia metros run highest because of the cost of living. Alabama is on the lower end, but margins can still be good there because chemical costs and labor are lower too.
Termite Treatment Pricing
Termites are the money service in the Southeast. Subterranean termites are everywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line, and homeowners are willing to pay because the alternative is watching their house get eaten.
| Treatment Type | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Barrier (Termidor/Taurus) | $800 - $2,500 | Based on linear footage, avg home 150-200 LF |
| Bait System (Sentricon/Trelona) | $1,200 - $3,000 install | Plus $250-$400/year monitoring |
| Spot Treatment | $250 - $600 | Localized, not whole-house |
| Termite Inspection (standalone) | $75 - $150 | Often free with treatment purchase |
| WDO Letter (real estate) | $75 - $125 | Good add-on revenue during spring selling season |
The real money in termites is the annual renewal. Once you install a treatment, the renewal is $175-$400 per year with almost no product cost. That's recurring revenue with 70-80% gross margin. If you're not pushing renewals, you're missing the best part of the termite business.
Specialty Services
| Service | Southeast Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mosquito Treatment (monthly) | $65 - $120/visit | April through October, 7 months of service |
| Bed Bug Treatment (heat) | $1,200 - $3,000/room | Whole-house heat treatments at the high end |
| Bed Bug Treatment (chemical) | $400 - $900/room | Multiple visits usually needed |
| Wildlife/Exclusion | $300 - $2,500 | Raccoons, squirrels, bats. Varies wildly by scope. |
| Crawlspace Encapsulation | $3,000 - $10,000 | Big ticket, often sold alongside pest service |
Mosquito treatments are becoming a standard add-on across the Southeast. The profit margin is strong because the chemical cost per visit is only $8-$15, and each visit takes 15-25 minutes. At $85-$100 per visit, that's hard to beat on an hourly basis.
What Technicians Get Paid
Pest control tech pay in the Southeast ranges from $14-$18/hr for entry-level to $20-$28/hr for experienced techs with certifications. Route techs who handle their own sales (upselling services on site) often earn commissions on top, typically 8-12% of any add-on they sell.
Your bill rate should be 3x to 4x what you pay the tech. So a tech making $18/hr should generate $54-$72/hr in revenue at minimum. If your average stop takes 20 minutes and bills at $55 quarterly, that tech is generating about $165/hr of revenue on route. That math works.
Southeast-Specific Considerations
- Year-round demand. Unlike the Midwest or Northeast, pest control in the Southeast barely slows down. You might see a 20-30% dip December through February, but that's it. Price your annual contracts to reflect consistent service, not seasonal.
- Formosan termites. If you're in the coastal Southeast (Savannah, Charleston, Gulf Coast), Formosan termites are a growing problem. These are more aggressive than Eastern subterranean termites and require more product. Charge more for treatment in Formosan zones.
- Fire ants. Fire ant treatment is a good upsell across the entire region. A whole-yard treatment runs $150-$350 and takes 20 minutes. Easy money if you're already on-site for general pest.
- State licensing varies. Some states require separate categories for termite, general pest, and wildlife. Make sure your pricing covers the extra licensing and CE costs.
Check your rates against other pest control operators in your area using our rate comparison tool. And if you want to build out pricing packages, the pricing calculator helps you set rates based on your actual costs per stop.
Free Pest Control Business Tools
Route planners, pricing templates, and service agreement builders. All free.
Download Free ToolsThe Southeast pest control market is growing at about 5-7% per year. More people are moving here, building here, and the bugs aren't going anywhere. If your pricing is solid and your service is reliable, there's plenty of room to grow.
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