How Tent Fumigation Works, Stockton Pest Control Experts Share 5 Facts About Tenting

A severe bed bug, dry wood termite, power post beetle, and old house borer infestation can’t always be solved by using over the counter pesticides or regular pest control services. If you are unable to get rid of these pests for good, your pest control company may recommend tent fumigation.

Stockton pest control specialist Jeff explains the process of “tenting” a home. Tent fumigation is when your home or business is tightly wrapped so that the air inside is controlled completely. Chloropicrin, a warning agent, will then be released inside, followed by Vikane. Because the home is completely covered and sealed, the chemicals will penetrate the wood timbers and other areas, successfully eliminating termites, bed bugs, and other pests.

In the case your exterminators have recommended tent fumigation for your pest problem, below are five facts you should know about this process:

Tenting requires serious preparation

The chemicals used during tent fumigation won’t just kill pests; they are harmful to humans, animals, and plants, too. As such, during the process, you and your pets will have to live somewhere else in the meantime. You will also need to bring out all your plants.

Additionally, you will have to take all your bed linens, food, and kitchen and dining items out of your home. Lastly, to avoid the possibility of an explosion, make sure that all of your appliances are turned off and unplugged, and all gas flames and pilot lights are out.

Your prep work will have to extend outdoors, too

Although tenting will keep the gas inside your home, some fumes will still escape through the tent’s gaps and around the bottom seals. As such, you will have to move your potted plants at least a foot away from the structure of your home. By doing so, you will protect the plants from the gas.

You will also need to trim unruly and overgrown shrubs or tree branches since they can prevent the tent from completely covering your home.

The duration of tenting varies

The duration of tent fumigation will depend on the size of your home and the seriousness of your pest problem. Some homes may only need to be tented for a few hours while others may require five to seven days. Your Modesto pest control company will tell you when it is safe to go back inside your home.
Avoid rushing back inside your home

Once your exterminators say you can go back to your house, it is best to go inside alone first and check the interior. However, do not bring your children and pets with you during this time.

To avoid inhaling any harmful chemical residues, give your home at least an extra day to settle before you, your kids, and pets go back and resume your regular activities.

Never attempt a DIY fumigation

Finally, there are various products on the market which claim they are safe for DIY home fumigation. They are effective for certain types of pests such as fleas and ants. However, they not as lethal as the substances used in tent fumigation and, as such, won’t work on bed bugs, termites, and other bugs that burrow inside the wood.

Since tent fumigation requires the use of stronger chemicals, the process should only be handled by experts. In certain states, fumigators require special training, licenses, and certifications before they can take on this job.