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General Pest Control Melbourne | General Pest Treatment
One visit for cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish. Our general pest control Melbourne team treats inside and out. Call 0401 573 777 for a free quote.
What does general pest control cover?
Reviewed by the Metro Pest Services team, updated September 2026
General pest control covers the common crawling insects in and around a home: cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish. One visit treats the outside of the house to stop them coming in and the inside places where they hide and breed.
It does not cover termites, rats and mice, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, bees or possums. Each of those needs its own treatment, and a general pest spray will not solve them. If you have seen signs of any of these, tell us, and we will quote the right service instead.
For most Melbourne homes, a general pest treatment once a year keeps these pests at a level you rarely notice. Homes near bushland, with pets or with older timber floors often do better every six months.
| Unit or apartment | from $159 |
|---|---|
| Standard house | from $189 |
| Large or double storey home | from $279 |
| Pests covered | Cockroaches, spiders, ants, silverfish |
| Not covered | Termites, rodents, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, bees, possums |
| How often | Yearly for most homes, six monthly for some |
| Time on site | Usually one to two hours |
| Market price | Commonly from about $250 for a typical house |
Where a general pest treatment actually goes
A thorough treatment reaches the places pests travel and hide, not just the spots you can see from the doorway.
- 1Outside: a perimeter band around the house, weep holes, door and window frames, and the base of fences and sheds.
- 2Eaves and outdoor areas: webs brushed down, then eaves, pergolas and outdoor furniture treated for spiders.
- 3Kitchen and bathrooms: gel bait in the cracks, hinges and appliance gaps where cockroaches and ants shelter.
- 4Roof void and wardrobes: dust where silverfish live, in the roof space, wardrobes and linen cupboards where needed.
The pests a general pest control treatment reaches
These are the pests behind most general pest calls in Melbourne, and how the one visit deals with each of them.
Cockroaches
Australian and native cockroaches- Where
- Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, subfloors and garden mulch against the house.
- Treatment
- Gel bait inside, plus the outside perimeter where outdoor cockroaches come in.
- Note
- German cockroach infestations need a dedicated cockroach program instead.
Spiders
Black house spiders, redbacks, white tailed spiders- Where
- Eaves, window frames, weep holes, sheds and outdoor furniture.
- Treatment
- Webs and egg sacs removed, then residual treatment of shelter spots.
- Note
- Huntsmen are harmless and eat insects, so they are not a reason to book.
Ants
Black house ants and coastal brown ants- Where
- Benches, pantries, window frames and paving around the house.
- Treatment
- Non repellent perimeter treatment and bait at entry points inside.
- Note
- Heavy Argentine ant colonies are better treated with a dedicated ant program.
Silverfish
Silverfish live in roof voids, wardrobes and bookshelves, feeding on paper, glue and fabric. A general treatment includes dusting the roof void and cupboards where they are found.
When a general pest spray is the wrong service
Some pests look like a general problem but need their own treatment. Booking the right one first saves paying twice.
Termites or damaged timber
Mud tubes, hollow sounding timber or doors that stick need a termite inspection, not a general pest spray. Do not disturb the area before we look.
Scratching in the roof
Rats, mice and possums are not treated by a general pest control treatment. Rodent control or possum removal and proofing is the right booking.
Bites at night or on the ankles
Bites in bed point to bed bugs, and bites on the ankles with pets point to fleas. Both need their own treatment and a follow up plan.
Signs your home is due for a general pest treatment
You do not need an infestation to book. These are the signs that a yearly treatment is overdue.
A few different pests at once
The odd cockroach, webs returning and ants on the bench, all in the same few weeks.
Webs back soon after clearing
Webs across eaves, windows and doorways that come back within days.
More than a year since the last treatment
Pests you had under control starting to show up again as the weather warms.
You have just moved in
A new home, where you do not know when, or whether, it was last treated.
Droppings in cupboards
Small dark specks in kitchen drawers, the pantry or behind appliances.
Holes in paper or clothes
Irregular holes or yellow marks on books, boxes or stored clothes, a sign of silverfish.
How our general pest control treatment works
One visit, inside and outside, with a record of what was done.
Check what you have
We look at the pests you have seen and check for signs of termites, rodents or bed bugs that need a different service.
Treat around the house
Perimeter band, weep holes, frames, eaves and sheds treated, and webs brushed down first.
Treat where pests hide inside
Gel bait in kitchens and bathrooms, and dust in the roof void and cupboards where silverfish are found.
Record and advice
You get the treatment details and warranty terms on your job record, plus advice on what brings pests back.
General pest control cost in Melbourne
These are our starting prices. The final price depends on the size of the property, sheds and outbuildings, and whether the roof void needs treating, and it is fixed in writing before we start.
Unit or apartment
from$159
- Inside treatment of kitchen, bathrooms and living areas
- Balcony or courtyard treated
- Written warranty
Standard house
from$189
- Inside and outside treatment
- Eaves de webbed and treated
- Roof void dusting where needed
- Written warranty
Large or double storey home
from$279
- Everything in the standard house treatment
- Second storey eaves and windows
- Sheds and outbuildings
- Written warranty
Also quoted on request
- General pest inspection from $129, with a written report
- Six monthly treatments booked ahead for regular homes
- Termites, rodents, bed bugs and fleas see those services
For comparison, general pest control for a typical Melbourne house is commonly quoted from about $250, and larger homes are often quoted from about $480.
- Covers
- Cockroaches, spiders, ants, silverfish
- If pests return
- Treated again at no charge
- Terms
- Written on your job record
- Depends on
- Treated areas left in place
Metro Pest Services · Melbourne
A general pest warranty with the terms spelled out
If the pests covered by your general pest treatment return in numbers during the warranty period, we come back and treat again at no charge. The period and the pests covered are written on your job record.
The warranty depends on treated outside areas not being pressure washed or repainted, and covers the four pests in the treatment, not termites, rodents, bed bugs or fleas.
- Warranty terms written on your job record
- Free re treatment if covered pests return
- Conditions listed plainly, not in fine print
How often to book general pest control services
Outdoor treatment wears down with sun, rain and garden watering, and new pests keep arriving from gardens and neighbours. A regular general pest treatment keeps numbers low before they become a problem.
- Once a year suits most Melbourne houses and units
- Every six months suits homes near bushland, creeks or large gardens
- Every six months suits homes with pets, older timber floors or subfloors
- Before moving in, so you start with a clean slate
- Before selling or leasing, so inspections do not turn up pests
What we tell every customer before a general treatment
A spray cannot outlast a food source
Crumbs behind the toaster, a dripping tap or an open compost bin will keep feeding pests. Fixing those makes the treatment last much longer.
You may see more insects for a few days
Cockroaches and silverfish can come out of hiding as the treatment reaches them. It usually settles within a week or two.
We leave the garden beds alone
We treat the house and the areas close to it, not the whole garden, so bees, beetles and other useful insects further out are left in peace.
How to make a general pest treatment last
Pests need food, water and shelter. Take away all three and the treatment does the rest.
Clean behind and under appliances every few months.
Fix dripping taps and leaks under sinks and in the laundry.
Keep mulch, firewood and stacked pots away from the walls of the house.
Store food, pet food and paper in sealed containers.
Seal gaps around pipes, skirting boards and window frames.
General pest control across all of Melbourne
Every Melbourne suburb has cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish, and we treat homes right across the metropolitan area, with no call-out fee.
Inner Melbourne
- Melbourne CBD
- Carlton
- Fitzroy
- Richmond
- South Yarra
- St Kilda
- Collingwood
- Docklands
Northern suburbs
- Brunswick
- Coburg
- Preston
- Reservoir
- Epping
- Craigieburn
- Bundoora
- Heidelberg
Eastern suburbs
- Box Hill
- Doncaster
- Ringwood
- Glen Waverley
- Blackburn
- Croydon
- Boronia
- Lilydale
South east
- Dandenong
- Clayton
- Cranbourne
- Narre Warren
- Berwick
- Pakenham
- Springvale
- Keysborough
Bayside and south
- Brighton
- Sandringham
- Cheltenham
- Mentone
- Mordialloc
- Frankston
- Seaford
- Carrum Downs
Western suburbs
- Footscray
- Sunshine
- Altona
- Point Cook
- Werribee
- Hoppers Crossing
- Tarneit
- Melton
Inner city units and apartments. Shared walls and service ducts mean cockroaches move between apartments, so kitchens and bathrooms are the focus.
Established family suburbs. Older homes with subfloors, sheds and mature gardens that give spiders and cockroaches plenty of shelter.
New estates. New brickwork, weep holes and fresh landscaping quickly attract spiders and ants in the first few years.
Homes near bushland and creeks. Properties on the edge of reserves and creeks, where six monthly treatments work best.
General Pest Control Melbourne FAQs
Not sure if a general treatment will cover your problem? Tell us what you have seen, and we will tell you straight.
Call 0401 573 777How much does general pest control cost in Melbourne?
With us general pest control starts from $159 for a unit, from $189 for a standard house, and from $279 for large or double storey homes. The price is fixed in writing before we start.
What pests does a general pest treatment cover?
Cockroaches, spiders, ants and silverfish, inside and outside the home. Termites, rodents, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, bees and possums need their own services.
How long does a general pest spray last?
Inside treatments in protected areas last many months. Outside, sun, rain and watering wear the treatment down, which is why most homes book once a year.
Do I need to leave the house for general pest control?
Usually for a few hours. People and pets stay off treated areas until they are dry, and we tell you exactly how long on the day.
Is general pest control treatment suitable with pets and children?
Pets and children stay out of treated areas until surfaces are dry, and gel baits go into cracks out of reach. Let us know about pets, fish tanks and anyone with allergies before we arrive.
How should I prepare for general pest control services?
Clear kitchen benches, empty the cupboard under the sink, move items away from the walls outside, and put pet bowls and toys away.
Will a general pest treatment get rid of German cockroaches?
Not on its own. German cockroaches breed inside and need a dedicated program with a follow up visit. We will recommend it if we see them.
Does general pest control include termites?
No. Termites need a termite inspection and treatment. If you see mud tubes or damaged timber, book a termite inspection instead.
Why do I see more cockroaches after treatment?
Treated cockroaches come out of hiding before they die. This usually settles within a week or two.
What is a general pest inspection?
A general pest inspection from $129 checks the whole property, identifies the pests and gives you a written report, useful if you are not sure what you have.
Can I get general pest control the same day?
Often, yes. Call before 2pm and we can usually treat the same day or the next day, depending on your suburb.
How often should I book general pest control Melbourne homes need?
Once a year for most homes, and every six months for homes near bushland, with pets, or with a history of pest problems.
A bit of everything showing up again?
General pest treatment from $189 for a house, inside and outside in one visit, with a written warranty on the pests it covers.