Pest control how much: How Much Does Pest Control Service Cost? (2023)

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How Much Does Pest Control Service Cost? (2023)

Sometimes hiring a professional pest control service is necessary to get rid of a severe pest infestation, especially if you have a termite colony eating up your home’s structure or you’re waking up with painful bites from bed bugs in your room.

While those severe cases can sometimes be resolved by one-time treatments, you may also want a pest control service plan for continual maintenance of your home’s pest issues. The cost of pest control treatment plans can vary, but keep reading for some averages based on our research of the industry, in addition to some tips for choosing the best pest control for your home.

Average Cost of Pest Control Service

Pest control costs can vary depending on the type of service you need, the level of infestation, your home’s size, and more. Because of this, finding an average for your specific home can be difficult without comparing your own quotes.

However, we can give you an idea of what to expect from a general pest control plan that treats your property for common household pests. After secret shopping for quotes from top pest control companies, here are average prices we received on a 3,000-square-foot home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms:

Payment Time Frame

Average Cost

Annual

$400–$950

Monthly

$30–$50

Per visit

$80–$120

Initial visit

$130–$350

These general pest control plans provide preventative services with regularly scheduled visits from local technicians either quarterly or bi-monthly to treat the interior and exterior of your home. They cover a wide range of common pests, such as cockroaches, ants, spiders, and beetles, but they don’t include specialty treatments against certain pests, such as termites and bed bugs.

Pest Control Cost by Pest Type

Although you can expect to pay between $400 and $950 per year for general, full-service pest control, based on the quotes we’ve received from various exterminators, your prices may look different if you’re looking for an exterminator to perform a targeted pest control treatment.

It’s difficult to predict how much you’ll pay per pest since most treatments will be included in a general pest control plan. However, according to data from HomeAdvisor, which collects cost information from its large network of partner contractors, below are some average exterminator costs for each specific type of infestation:

Pest Type

Average Cost

Ants

$100–$500

Bed bugs

$300–$5,000

Cockroaches

$100–$400

Fleas

$75–$400

Lice

$50–$200

Mosquito

$100–$500

Moths

$150–$300

Rodents

$150–$500

Scorpions

$50–$300

Silverfish

$100–$300

Spiders

$100–$200

Termites

$2,000–$8,000

Ticks

$200–$500

Factors That Affect Pest Control Costs

Many variables are involved in pricing these services, making it difficult to know exactly how much to expect to pay for your pest control needs. When creating a quote, pest control companies will consider the following factors to provide pricing estimates:

  • Types of pests in the home. The types of pests you’re battling can dictate how much you’ll pay for pest control. While general pest control services can prevent pest problems for a regular monthly fee, targeted termite extermination, for example, can cost up to thousands of dollars.
  • Your home’s size. During your initial call with a professional exterminator, they’ll likely ask the square footage of your home and how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has. These numbers can affect how much treatment will be required and how expensive it will be.
  • The size of your yard. The pest control representative will likely ask the size of your yard, since that can determine how much treatment will be needed on the exterior of your property to build a protective barrier against pests. If you don’t have the exact acreage, you can provide an estimate, or the technician can give a more accurate estimate once they visit your home.
  • Your zip code. Pest control prices can vary based on your location, since some areas are more prone to pest issues than others. Additionally, if your home is far away from your nearest local exterminator, you may be charged extra for travel costs.
  • Frequency of visits. If you sign up for a pest control plan with regularly scheduled visits, your cost will reflect your plan’s number of visits per year. For example, Terminix’s general pest control plan comes with quarterly visits, making it cheaper than some competitors that service your home bi-monthly.
  • Level of infestation. Your infestation’s severity may require additional treatments or heavier use of products, which could increase the overall cost of your service. For instance, fumigations with tenting may be recommended for severe infestations, which can cost $1 to $4 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor.

DIY Pest Control vs. Hiring a Professional Exterminator

From setting up homemade traps to putting out a potted Venus flytrap, many homeowners have tried to get rid of pests themselves. If you’re not ready to spend the money on a professional pest control service to handle your infestation or help prevent future pest problems, you can try your hand at do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control.

Although DIY pest control could save you money on hiring a professional, there are a few things to keep in mind before deciding not to call an exterminator: 

  • Some DIY methods can be less effective than what an exterminator can provide, since some pesticide products you may need aren’t available for regular consumers.
  • Pesticides you buy from the store to treat your own home can be dangerous or harmful to you, your family members, or your pets if chemicals aren’t used properly.
  • It can require you to spend hours doing your own research, whereas an exterminator has the knowledge and experience to know what to do immediately.
  • You may need to try a few different methods before the treatment is effective, which means you’ll have to live with your infestation until you find something that works.

DIY Pest Control Cost

If you choose to go the DIY route to take care of your pest problems on your own, the amount you pay can vary depending on the products you need. If you’re willing to spend around $50 to $200, you could purchase a pest control kit with a range of products, including traps and chemicals.

Here are some general prices you can expect when shopping for pest control products based on our analysis of pest control retail prices on the market:

Pest Control Product

Average Cost

General control kits

$50–$200

Insecticide

$10–$40

Indoor foggers

$10–$25

Mouse traps

$2–$50

The above prices are per-item, so keep in mind that the total cost could be considerably higher if you have a larger home with lots of coverage areas. In some cases, hiring a pest control company may end up being the most affordable option, since the technicians have the right amount of unique products on hand that may be needed for your property.

How to Choose a Pest Control Company

If you’re leaning toward hiring an exterminator, you should take a few steps to help you pick the best pest control company for your home.

  • Read third-party customer reviews. One of the first steps to choosing an exterminator is reading its reviews on third-party websites, such as Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau. Avoid companies with lower overall ratings that have a higher percentage of complaints than positive reviews.
  • Get quotes and speak with representatives. Many companies can provide quotes for general pest control services over the phone to give you an idea of how much you’ll pay based on your specific situation. We recommend calling a few providers and taking notes on what they offer, in addition to asking about their guarantees.
  • Compare custom prices and plan options. Once you have a few quotes, you can compare those prices, treatment frequencies, guarantees, and overall plan coverage offered.
  • Schedule an initial visit. Once you narrow down the best choice for you, schedule your appointment for a time that’s convenient for you. If you’re in a hurry to get an exterminator out to your property, many companies provide same-day service if they have technicians available.

Although professional pest control comes with a price tag, it can be a valuable addition to your regularly scheduled services to prevent creepy-crawlies from invading your home and yard. If you have a severe infestation from dangerous pests, such as termites and bed bugs, you may need to hire a professional to effectively eradicate them.

To identify the best pest control services, we’ve performed a deep analysis of pest control companies on the market, reading more than 1,000 reviews from third-party websites, listening to customer service call recordings, and comparing providers on dozens of factors, such as covered pests, reputation, and customer service.

Terminix is our overall top choice, as it combines a tremendous amount of experience in the industry with impressive guarantees, wide service availability, and more to provide quality service to homeowners. However, we recommend speaking with more than one company to ensure you get the best price and coverage for your home’s specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Chose the Top Pest Control Companies

Our pest control research process starts with a deep analysis of more than 1,000 customer reviews on third-party websites such as Yelp, Google Reviews, Best Company, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also listen to more than 100 customer service call recordings from large pest control brands.

From there, we compile a list of important factors that commonly come up in customer feedback, build out a scoring tool based on those factors, and analyze each company to determine how they stack up against each other. For instance, companies that offer more guarantees for their service earned more points than others, and pest control plans with a larger range of covered pests earned more points than ones with fewer.

After analyzing dozens of residential and commercial pest control businesses through this process, we were able to determine the best pest control companies across the country.

How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2023 Guide)

Pests are more than just an eyesore. These scurrying invaders pose a serious health and safety risk for homeowners, property managers, and business owners. Some pests, like rats and termites, can inflict serious structural damage, costing tens of thousands of dollars. By working with a good pest control company, you can spot potential problems early and eliminate them before they become full-blown infestations. 

This article outlines everything you need to know about the price of pest control services. We’ll look at the baseline pricing of pest control, the cost of different service options, and if DIY pest control is cheaper. Additionally, we’ll look at what factors affect your home’s average pest control cost, like location, pest type, and infestation level.  

One-time visit

This one-time treatment includes an inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up (if needed), costing $150 to $350.

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Monthly service

Averaging $125 to $300 for an initial visit, this service includes inspections and treatments, costing between $50 to $75

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Annual service

A recurring service that provides regular inspections and treatments once a year, costing between $125 to $500.

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What Is the Average Cost of Pest Control?

For an annual pest control plan on a standard 2,000-square-foot home, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $850, with an average cost of $300 to $500. Beyond basic pest control plans, there are many specialty services with varying prices. Termites, for example, are not typically covered under most standard plans and require special baits and trained personnel to exterminate. Termite treatments can run anywhere from $500 to $3,000 or more, depending on the infestation’s severity. 

What Are the Most Common Types of Pests and Their Treatment Costs?

The first thing every homeowner should understand about pest control is the prices associated with each type of common pest. Some pests are relatively inexpensive and included in most basic pest control services. Other pests, like termites, rodents, and bed bugs, commonly require specialized removal and will cost much more. 

The following table outlines some common household pests and how much you can expect to pay to exterminate them.

Pest Average Cost
Ants (typically carpenter ants) $150–$450
Bats $300–$650
Bed bugs $500–$5,000
Fleas $150–$400
Moths $150–$300
Mosquitos $75–$500 per season
Roaches $150–$500 per treatment
Rodents $350–$750 
Silverfish $100–$350
Spiders $150–$400
Termites $500–$3,000+ ($145 inspection)
Ticks $200–$500
Wasps $300–$700
Wood-boring beetles $1,500–$5,000

Ants: Ants are best controlled with liquid insecticide and bait traps. The benefit of these control methods is that they’re almost always effective at keeping ants out and killing their nest. The downside is that sprays and traps may not be pet or child safe. 

Bats: In most cases, bats cannot be exterminated since they’re considered protected animals. Instead, you must hire a pest control company for relocation and exclusion — this process involves getting these critters out and then sealing possible entry points. 

Bed Bugs: Bed bugs can be expensive to exterminate. Depending on the size, nature, and location of the bed bug infestation, pest control companies will use varying methods for removal. Removal methods include heat treatments, pesticide powder, mattress encasements and removal, crack or spot treatment, and fumigation. 

Fleas: Flea treatments typically comprise cleaning of flea-infected areas combined with pesticide.

Moths: Pest control companies can use sprays or fumigation to remove moths. Both methods kill moths quickly but can require the residents to vacate the home until the fumes have cleared. 

Mosquitoes: The most effective means for eliminating mosquitoes is consistent repeat treatment of nesting areas to kill young larvae and eggs. This treatment, while effective, requires constant reapplication throughout the mosquito season. 

Roaches: For light cockroach problems, spraying can be effective, but for complete infestations, fumigation is typically needed. Cockroaches are some of the most difficult pests to get rid of for good, but fumigation is typically effective. 

Rodents: Pest control professionals use a combination of bait stations and physical traps to get rid of mice. Once most of the mice are dead, the company will typically remove the dead animals and clean out their nests. 

Silverfish: Pesticides or widespread application of diatomaceous earth is typically the most effective method for removing silverfish. Diatomaceous earth is safe for humans and pets while highly lethal to insects, making it ideal for inside pests like silverfish. 

Spiders: Pest control companies use a combination of pesticides and the destruction of nest areas to eliminate spiders. Most pesticides for spiders can be sprayed outside the home for exclusion, making them effective and non-intrusive. 

Termites: Termites are among the most difficult pests to eliminate due to how deeply they can ingrain themselves into your home. Most pest control companies use specially designed baits and sprays to eliminate termites at their source. 

Today’s Homeowner Tips

Spotting termites early is essential in keeping your home in one piece. Look for small piles of sawdust-like droppings called frass along baseboards and walls. Additionally, in the springtime, watch out for discarded sets of wings on windowsills. Both of these are telltale signs of termite invasions.

Ticks: Sprays and granules combined with good lawn care are the best ways to keep ticks out of your property. Unfortunately, while effective, some common tick pesticides can be toxic to local wildlife, including cats. 

Wasps: Pest control companies use sprays combined with the physical destruction of nests to eliminate most wasps. Some species, such as ground-dwelling wasps, can require more specialized treatment, which will cost more than standard wasp control. 

Wood-boring beetles: Like termites, wood-boring beetles can be extremely difficult to remove. Fumigation is one of the most effective ways to clear them out of your home, but you and your family must vacate the premises in the meantime.  

What Factors Affect Pest Control Pricing?

Beyond pest type, numerous factors can impact pest control costs. Anything that makes the removal process more difficult or time-consuming will add to your bill. Here is a list of every major factor that can affect the price of your pest control service:

  • The size of your home and the property’s condition: The larger the home or business, the more labor hours and materials are needed to protect it. 
  • The location and accessibility of the infested areas: Hard-to-reach areas can require specialized tools, or more time-consuming approaches to navigate, making them more expensive to treat. 
  • The severity and extent of the infestation: Larger infestations will be more difficult to exterminate, requiring extra labor hours, materials, and specialized techniques. 
  • The type of treatment and quality of the products: Some pests can be difficult to exterminate, requiring more expensive and higher-quality treatments.
  • The frequency of service and duration of the contract: Some pests will require more frequent or intensive treatment services. These situations will carry a higher cost compared to standard services. 
  • Region: Some regions and climates in the United States will have more dangerous pests, or a greater variety of pests, making treatments and inspections more costly. 

How Do Pest Control Service Options and Costs Compare?

When working with a pest control company, homeowners can choose between several different types of services, specifically annual, quarterly, monthly, and one-time services. Here is the average cost breakdown for different service increments for pest control companies: 

  • One-time visit: This one-time treatment includes an inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up (if needed), costing $150 to $350. Single visits can be great options for removing light infestations or nuisance pests. A single visit can handle wasps, ants, and most wildlife calls. 
  • Monthly service: After an initial visit, with an average cost of $125 to $300, this recurring service provides regular monthly inspections and treatments, costing between $50 to $75. Some pests can require regular treatment for a time to remove completely, making this service choice ideal. A monthly service often handles rodents, termites, and wood-boring beetles. 
  • Quarterly service: Quarterly visits provide regular inspections and treatments every three months, costing between $125 to $300. This service option works best for homes where pests are common or businesses needing constant pest control treatments. 
  • Annual service: A recurring service that provides regular inspections and treatments once a year, costing between $125 to $500. Some pests are only a seasonal problem, requiring a yearly service to prevent them. This service handles pests like ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, and wasps. 

Get a free quote from one of the top companies in the Industry.

How To Minimize the Cost When Hiring a Pest Control Company

While pest control can be expensive, especially in the case of severe infestations, there’s plenty you can do to reduce exterminator costs. The first best way to save money is to shop intelligently for the right pest control company. 

To do this, always thoroughly research local pest control companies beforehand. We recommend looking at work history, customer service reviews, and common complaints. Then, once you’ve found a few promising candidates, compare multiple quotes from those choices. With this approach, you can find the best company for the most reasonable price. 

Additionally, you can save money by being conscious of your home’s pest problems and taking preventative measures to mitigate them. For example, if your home is prone to mosquitoes, take active steps to keep them away, like eliminating standing water. By undertaking basic pest management practices, you can reduce the number of inspections and treatments needed by pest companies. 

Asian Thailand termite staff company is spraying the destroy chemical liquid in to white ant nest in the wood around human house.

DIY Vs. Professional Pest Control: Which One Is Better?

Many homeowners opt for DIY pest control. This approach can sometimes save you money, but it isn’t enough to handle a serious infestation. If your home is experiencing major pest problems, it’s always best to go with a pest control company. Pest control professionals have the skills, equipment, and experience to properly diagnose and deal with the infestation. 

Ultimately, each approach has its benefits and drawbacks. 

DIY Pest Control Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Cheaper up-front cost
  • More control over products and methods

Cons

  • Less effective and can’t handle major infestations
  • More time-consuming
  • No guarantee or warranty

Professional Pest Control Pros and Cons

Pros

  • More effective, it can handle pest infestations of any size
  • Faster and less labor on the part of the homeowner
  • More safe and eco-friendly

Cons

  • More expensive up-front cost
  • Less control over products and methods

So, What’s Our Take on the Cost of Pest Control?

Pest control is essential in securing the safety and comfort of your home. While plenty of DIY options are available, to be fully protected against pests, you’ll need the help of a professional. We recommend Terminix as the best pest control company to go with. Terminix has multiple service plans covering most household pests, with additional options for termites, bed bugs, and mosquito removal. 

The cost of professional pest control will vary depending on factors like the location of your house, the type of pest you’re dealing with, and the infestation level. However, pest control costs typically range between $350 to $800 annually for standard plans. For more specialized services, like termite control, you can typically expect to pay between $500 and $3,000.  

FAQs About Pest Control Costs

Is paying for professional pest control worth it?

Ultimately, the answer will depend on your situation and budget. There are a few instances where you might be able to get rid of the problem yourself if you have a small infestation and you have the time to dedicate to it.

However, it’s usually better to call in a professional as soon as possible for extensive infestations. Professional technicians have the training, experience, and equipment to do the job quicker and more thoroughly than most homeowners. They’ll also be able to guide you through some prevention strategies to keep the problem from coming back. This will often save you money in the long run.

What are the advantages of paying for pest control services?

A professional pest control company can identify, target, and eliminate current and potential future pest problems more effectively and efficiently than at-home methods. Ultimately, professional pest control services offer homeowners peace of mind while taking the stress of pest issues off their shoulders.

How long does pest control last?

This will depend on the type of pests and the control strategies used. Traps or pesticides might kill off an infestation in a few weeks but require regular maintenance visits to keep the pests out. In general, however, insecticide treatments tend to keep killing pests for about six weeks and will keep them away for 60–90 days. However, thorough termite mitigation can often control the problem for at least five years.

What are some of the pests that are commonly exterminated?

Common pests that professional exterminators deal with include ants, wasps, bees, termites, bed bugs, earwigs, and spiders.

Companion Quests in Skyrim – Pest Control (1)

  • 05) — Companions faction quest in the game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim .

    Quick walkthrough

    1. Go to Jorrvaskr and talk to Aela the Huntress about the job.
    2. Destroy a predator that has invaded a dwelling or shop belonging to one of the inhabitants of Skyrim.
    3. Return to Aela and receive your reward.

    Walkthrough

    After officially joining the Companions, the main character can start receiving mercenary contracts. One of the leaders of the Companions who handle the distribution of work among the rest is Aela the Huntress.

    If the protagonist contacts her about a job, Aela will give a short summary: “ In are asking for our help. It looks like some kind of predator got into their house, and we need to drive this creature out “. If the hero agrees to this job, the name of the location and the type of predator that will have to be destroyed will appear in the quest log.

    Level Predator
    1–5 Wolf
    6–10 900 46

    		Ice Ghost, Sabertooth, Snow Wolf
    11 Snow Saber
    12– 15 Bear
    16–19 Cave Bear
    20+ Polar Bear

    The location is randomly selected from at least forty-two houses in Skyrim. The list includes most houses (except taverns) owned by ordinary citizens. The location will be selected from those located in the previously visited properties. For example, at the initial stages of the game, some kind of house on the territory of Whiterun’s possession will most likely fall out, but in the future the list of possible target locations will expand. It is worth noting that with add-on 9 installed0004 The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn the target location may be on Solstheim and the quest marker will not appear on the map as long as the character is in Skyrim.

    The spoiler table below provides a list of possible target locations.

    9 0043

    90 045 Cera, Endon

    9004 5 Svana Strong Shield

    90 045 Adeber, Willem, Ennock

    List of possible target locations Ivarsted Bassian Axii, Klimmek
    Isolde’s House Whiterun Isolde
    Kraldar’s House Winterhold Kraldar, Tongjolf
    Goods of Byrna Winterhold Byrne
    House of Irgnir Dunstar Irgnir
    Leigelf House Dunstar Leigelf
    Rustleif House Dunstar Rustleif, Søren
    Fruity House Dunstar Fruity
    Airey House Anga Village Airey
    Oslaf House DB Skaal Village Oslaf
    Sorli House Stone hills Paktur
    Odfel’s house Shor’s stone Odfel
    Sulgi’s house Shor’s stone Sulga
    Filnjar’s House Shor’s Stone Filnjar
    Miners’ Barracks Kartvasten Ragnar 9 0046
    Kartwasten Hall Kartwasten Enitah
    Gilfrey House Pirozhok Sawmill Gilfri
    Miner’s House Soljund’s Lair Perth
    Nepus House Markarth 9004 6

    		Morwen, Tynan
    Ogmund House Markarth Ogmund
    Endon House Markarth
    Anthill Markarth Eltris, Hathrasil, Druston, Omlag
    Treasury Markarth Ingvar the Singer, Rebur Quintilius, Riada, Tonar Silver Blood, Tongvor Silver Blood
    House of Alva Morfal Hroggar
    House of Jorgen and Lamy Morthal Jorgen, Lamy
    House of Tonnir Morthal Tonnier
    Lake Estate HF Lake Estate Spouse or steward
    Windstad Manor HF Windstad Manor Spouse or steward
    House of Alvor and Sigrid Riverwood Alvor, Sigrid
    Sven and Hilde House Riverwood Sven
    Fendal House 90 046

    		Riverwood Fendal
    House of Hod and Gerdur Riverwood Gerdur, Hod
    Eirin’s house Riften Mjoll the Lioness, Eirin
    Helga’s rooming house Riften
    Addwar House Solitude Addwar, Greta
    Vittoria Vici House Solitude Vittoria Vici
    Jayla’s house Solitude Athar
    Yvette San’s house Solitude Yvette San
    Erikur’s House Solitude Erikur
    High Spire Manor Solitude Husband/wife
    Katla Farm Solitude Katla, Sneelin
    Sareti Farm Sareti Farm Aduri Sareti
    Heliarken Hall HF Heliarken Hall Spouse or steward
    Pavon House Kolskeggr Mine Attiy Pavon
    Miners’ Barracks Left Hand Mine
    Dere House Left Hand Mine Dere
    Skaggi House Left Hand Mine Marked Skaggi

    Reward

    After the invading predator is destroyed, you must return to Aela Bounty Hunter. You can repeat the quest as many times as you like.

    Level reward
    Level 1–9 10–19 20+
    Cost 100 150 300

    Notes

    • Solstheim. While the hero is in Skyrim, a quest marker will not appear on the map indicating the desired location. In order for the marker to appear, you first need to go to Solstheim (at which point all quest markers pointing to targets in Skyrim territory will disappear from the map).
    • Predators appearing in houses are not related to their natural habitat. For example, you can encounter a snow saber or a polar bear in Falkreath or Riverwood, although the climate in these cities is temperate.
    • Sometimes entering a predator-occupied house will technically be considered an intrusion, despite permission from the owner. There will be no penalty for this, but the companions will refuse to talk, issuing a replica “ You can’t be here “, until the main character leaves the home.
      • If the door to the house was locked and the lock had to be picked, the character will be fined 5 septims.

    Quest stages

    stage – number, stage of the quest (all stages are listed below).

    9 0038

    Pest Control (ID: CR01)
    Stage Diary Entry
    10 Need to clean up. My target is in the house where lives in the city of .
    (Target 10): Clean up. Target: .
    20 Job completed. from need not worry. won’t bother anyone anymore.
    (Target 20): Aela awaits a report.
    200
    250
    The stage marked in green corresponds to the successful completion of the quest, and in red – to its failure.

    The following stages have been omitted because they have no description or value: 0, 1, 100.

    Notes

    • Not all quest stages can be displayed in the quest log. Which of them will appear and which will not depend on how the quest is completed.
    • Stages are not always displayed sequentially. This usually happens if the quest has multiple possible endings, and also if some of the quest steps can be completed in any order.
    • If a stage is marked green, i.e. as completing a quest, this means that the quest disappears from the list of active quests in the journal, but new entries related to the quest may still appear in the quest journal.

    Companion Quests in Skyrim – Pest Control (2)

    • Main article: Quests (Skyrim)

    Skyrim .

    Quick walkthrough

    1. Talk to the top Companion Aela the Huntress about work.
    2. Destroy a beast in a random lair.
    3. Return to Aela and receive your reward.

    Walkthrough

    Everyday Life of a Companion

    Traditionally, since the days of Ysgramor and his Five Hundred, the Companions have provided mercenary services. They act as a neutral and independent mercenary organization, helping ordinary citizens and jarls in those matters where force is needed, but without taking sides or forming any alliances. After officially joining the order, the protagonist can also fulfill mercenary contracts at will.

    Cleanup Job

    To get this contract, you need to talk to Aela the Huntress in Jorrvaskr. She will say that she received a request from the jarl of one of the possessions to clear the lair of predators that cause trouble to residents and travelers. Talking to her about this topic, you can hear the following: “ Jarl is asking for our help. It seems that some predators have settled there and attack peasants and travelers. Someone should go there and deal with the beasts. ”

    After the protagonist says that he will take care of this, Aela will give a final word of encouragement or warning. One of the following phrases can be heard from her:

    • « Watch out. Animals are much more unpredictable than humans. Kill this creature quickly “.
    • « Good. I knew that I could rely on you. It’s just a beast, but beware. Beasts in Skyrim are serious opponents of .
    • « I knew I could rely on you. Take care of it immediately. Nobody wants wild animals roaming around the house .”

    After these words, an entry will appear in the quest log, which will indicate the name of the target lair location and the type of animal that lives in it. Since this quest is a radiant quest, a boss-level beast will spawn in one of seventeen possible locations.

    Possible target locations
    Whiteshore Whiterun Winterhold Eastmarch
    Bronze Water Cave Deep Shadow
    Green Brook Burrow
    Cold Rock Pass
    Serowinter Outpost     		Cold Shore Cave Kronvangr Cave
    Refugee Refuge
    Rift Falkreath Haafingar Hjaalmarch
    Crystal Cave
    Honey Cave
    Yellow Stone Cave
    Pine Peak Cave
    Clear Lake     		Draft Passage
    Gray Water Grotto     		Sheer Burrow 900 46

    		Pit Cave

    Reward

    Jorrvaskr and talk to Aela again. After hearing from the hero that the task is completed, she will reward the work and praise with one of the following phrases:

    • « Well done. Those mindless cretins didn’t have a chance.”
    • « Not bad, not bad. Hunting is so exciting, isn’t it? »
    • » Good to hear. Take your share of .”

    The reward is a leveled amount of gold.

    900 43

    Level reward
    Level 1-9 10-19 20+
    Cost 100 150 300

    Notes

    • Although there may be multiple animals in the target location, only one (the one pointed to by the quest marker) needs to be killed to complete the quest.

    Bugs

    • If the location that was chosen at random was cleared earlier and did not have time to update, then it may happen that the target animal has already been killed, and the quest marker points to the corpse, which makes it impossible to complete the task. This will make it impossible to take other quests from the Companions, as they won’t start offering them until the end of the current contract. Even resurrecting the corpse of the beast and killing it again will not fix the problem.
      • Solution 1 PC : To fix the bug, use the console command SetStage CR02 20 .
      • Solution 2 PC : Bug fixed in Unofficial Skyrim Patch version 1.2.6 and later.

    Quest stages

    stage – number, stage of the quest (all stages are listed below).

    Pest control (ID: CR02)
    Stage Diary entry
    10 90 010 is the place where lives. The cursed creature must be killed.
    (Target 10): Clean up. Target: .
    20 won’t bother anyone anymore. is now a safe place.
    (Target 20): Aela awaits a report.
    100
    200 0038

    		250
    The stage marked in green corresponds to the successful completion of the quest, and red indicates its failure.

    The following steps have been omitted because they have no description or value: 0, 1.

    0003 Not all quest stages can be displayed in the quest log. Which of them will appear and which will not depend on how the quest is completed.

  • Stages are not always displayed sequentially. This usually happens if the quest has multiple possible endings, and also if some of the quest steps can be completed in any order.
  • If a stage is marked green, i.e. as completing a quest, this means that the quest disappears from the list of active quests in the journal, but new entries related to the quest may still appear in the quest journal.