Exterminator in Sacramento, CA

Sacramento homes see a steady cast of pests. Roof rats run along fences and utility lines at night, Argentine ants march indoors when the weather turns hot and dry, and yellowjackets get bold around patios by late summer. Termites work quietly the whole time. The UC Statewide IPM Program says roof rats and Norway rats live in almost every California city.

Sacramento Exterminator Line does not do pest control itself. When you call (916) 712-7030, you're connected with an independent local exterminator who can inspect, explain your options and give you a price. You decide whether to hire them. The call is free.

Signs you should call

• Droppings near food or pet bowlsUC IPM lists droppings around pet dishes, pantries and drawers as an early sign of rats or mice.
• Scratching in the attic at nightRoof rats nest in attics and wall voids and are mostly active at night.
• Hollowed-out oranges on the treeRoof rats eat citrus on the tree and often leave empty rinds hanging.
• Mud tubes on the foundationPencil-width earthen tubes are the most common sign of subterranean termites.
• Tiny pellets piling up under woodSix-sided fecal pellets pushed out of small holes point to drywood termites.
• Dark spots on mattress seamsRusty fecal spots, shed skins and tiny white eggs are classic bed bug signs.
• Wasps flying in and out of one holeA steady stream of wasps from the ground or a wall means a nest; don't disturb it.

What does an exterminator do?

An exterminator finds out which pest you have, how it gets in and how big the problem is, then treats it and helps keep it from coming back. The Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) defines this work to include inspections, written reports and bids, structural repairs, traps and pesticide use against household and wood-destroying pests.

A good visit starts with an inspection, not a spray. Integrated pest management (IPM), the approach taught by the University of California and defined in SPCB regulations, focuses on long-term prevention: correct identification, sealing entry points, removing food and water, and using pesticides only when monitoring shows they're needed.

Which pests are most common in Sacramento-area homes?

Here is what the UC Statewide IPM Program's Pest Notes say about the pests behind most calls.

• Roof rats and Norway rats: roof rats nest in trees, ivy and attics; Norway rats burrow along foundations and woodpiles.
• House mice: slip through openings as small as 1/4 inch.
• Argentine ants: the most common ant in and around California homes.
• Termites: subterranean termites are California's most destructive; western drywood termites range into the Central Valley.
• Yellowjackets: nest in the ground or in wall voids and get more defensive as summer goes on.
• Black widows: the main spider in California that can seriously hurt people.
• German cockroaches: the most common indoor roach in California, especially in apartments.
• Bed bugs: ride in on luggage, used furniture and mattresses.

How much does pest control cost in Sacramento?

Most one-time visits cost a few hundred dollars, while termite fumigation or whole-home bed bug heat can run into the thousands. There's no published Sacramento price list, so these are national figures: Fixr's 2025 guide puts a one-time general pest visit at $158 to $288, and This Old House's 2026 guide says $50 to $500 per visit, averaging $171.

Service plans cost less per visit. Fixr lists $98 to $178 per quarterly visit, and Bob Vila's 2023 guide lists $110 to $250. Always get a written price after the company inspects.

Does a pest control company need a license in California?

Yes. It's unlawful to advertise, offer or perform structural pest control for others without an SPCB license (Business and Professions Code §8550), though people may treat property they own, lease or rent. The SPCB licenses three branches: Branch 1 is fumigation, Branch 2 is household pests like ants, roaches and rodents, and Branch 3 is wood-destroying pests like termites, including repairs.

Look up any company or person on the DCA License Search by choosing Structural Pest Control Board. The SPCB says licensees should carry a board ID card showing license type and expiration date, so it's fair to ask to see it. Pesticides themselves must be registered by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation before they can be used in the state.

Is pest control worth it, or can I do it myself?

For a few ants or a single mouse, do-it-yourself steps often work. For termites, bed bugs, rats in the attic or a yellowjacket nest inside a wall, a professional usually saves time, damage and risk.

UC IPM says over-the-counter termite products are generally not effective in California, consumer foggers don't work on bed bugs and can harm your health, and ant sprays give only temporary control while baits reach the colony. If you use pesticides, follow the label exactly and keep them away from children and pets.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers work?

Not well enough to rely on. UC IPM says rats quickly get used to repeated sounds, which makes high-frequency and ultrasonic devices ineffective in homes and gardens, and that high-frequency devices don't work on house mice either. In 2001 the Federal Trade Commission warned more than 60 makers and sellers of ultrasonic pest devices that efficacy claims must be backed by scientific evidence. Sealing gaps larger than 1/4 inch and setting snap traps work better.

Who handles mosquitoes and yellowjackets in Sacramento?

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District, a public agency, covers all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. It offers free mosquito home inspections and free mosquitofish, takes reports of neglected pools, and may treat yellowjacket nests in the ground, trees or walls. Call 1-800-429-1022.

The district says it can't do structural pest control. If a nest has gone into the structure of a home, or is on an upper floor of a multi-story building, it tells residents to hire a private pest control company. Report dead birds to 1-877-968-2473 to help track West Nile virus.

What must a pest control company tell you before it treats?

A registered company must give the owner and the tenant clear written notice before applying pesticides, naming the pest, the pesticides and their active ingredients, with a state-required caution statement (Business and Professions Code §8538). After treating, it must leave a written notice of what it applied.

For fumigation, everyone, including pets, must leave, and no one may re-enter until the company posts a re-entry notice. If you feel sick after any treatment, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and report it to your county agricultural commissioner at 1-877-378-5463. If someone has trouble breathing, move to fresh air and call 911.

Do older Sacramento homes have more pest problems?

Older homes usually have more ways in. Census data show the median Sacramento home was built in 1977, and 30% date from before 1960. UC IPM recommends sealing every opening larger than 1/4 inch, covering vents with 1/2-inch galvanized mesh, fitting a tight crawlspace cover and cutting tree limbs back from the roof. Termite inspectors flag wood touching soil and crawlspaces with less than 12 inches of clearance.

How does the free exterminator line work?

Call (916) 712-7030 and describe what you're seeing and where. You'll be connected with an independent local pest control company that serves your area. That company, not Sacramento Exterminator Line, inspects, quotes and does any work, and you're never obligated to hire.

• Ask for the company's SPCB registration and the inspector's license
• Get the price, treatment plan and any warranty terms in writing
• Ask which pesticides will be used and how to prepare
• Problems with a licensee can be reported to the SPCB

What it typically costs

A one-time general pest visit runs about $158 to $288 nationally in Fixr's 2025 guide, while This Old House's 2026 guide puts most visits at $50 to $500. Termite fumigation and whole-home bed bug heat can cost thousands. These are national ranges, not Sacramento quotes. Call (916) 712-7030 to get a written price from a local company.

Frequently asked questions

Guides

• How to Get Rid of Roof Rats
• Are Landlords Responsible for Pest Control in California?
• How Much Does Pest Control Cost in Sacramento?
• Sacramento Pest Control Questions, Answered