Fumigation is the most common treatment for eradication of dry wood termites. It’s the only treatment that provides a 100% kill of the dry wood termites according to the Structural Pest Control Board. Here’s how to get ready:

•The Gas Company-The termite company will notify the Gas Co. to come out and turn off the gas and tag the meter for fumigation. The Gas Co. requires that access gates to gas meters are unlocked by 6:45 am and the gas meters are accessible or the Gas Co. will not turn off the gas. Any pets will need to be removed if they are located near the gas meter. The Gas Co. turns the gas off from 7am to noon on the day of the fumigation unless it is a Saturday treatment and then they will turn off the gas on Friday. Upon completion, a reentry tag is left on the door for the homeowner to notify the gas company to come turn the gas back on. The tag will need to be kept and given to the gas company to show that the work was completed. The homeowner will need to meet the gas company in order to give access to the house for checking and relighting the pilot lights. If there is more than one home on the property, please check with your termite company to see if they all need to be shut off to fumigate.

•Safeguard the perimeter of the property-In preparing the property for treatment, the homeowner needs to clear all items at least 5’ away from the structure because the tarps or ladders could possibly break or damage items too close to the home. They can also damage plants causing them to appear trampled. Make sure all gates are unlocked for access. Water the ground including plants & dirt in the planters all around the perimeter because water acts like a barrier to the fumigant. Plants will die in attached planters under the tarp if you do not remove them. Trim plants one foot away from the structure which allows room to place tarps and weights on the ground to obtain a tight seal so no gas escapes. Remove interior plants and exterior plants that are on any porches/patios/balconies. Remove all vehicles from garages and carports.

•Access to all areas of the property-The fumigator needs the keys that open all spaces big enough for a cat because these areas will need to be checked to avoid accidental loss of life. The State of California will not allow the fumigator to take anyone’s word that a space is empty of a living thing.

•Preparing the inside of the house-Put all food and medicines in doubled bags provided by the termite company including the refrigerator and freezer. Do not bag metal or glass containers that have never been opened. Discard ice from ice makers. The fumigator will check food bags and may discard food or drink not bagged or they may charge for bagging it. Remove animals & people. Do not leave pets in your yard (this also includes neighboring properties pets) until re-entry tag is on the door. Remove all fish from fish tanks, turn off aerator but leave all the water in the tank. Remove plastic covered baby mattresses. The fumigator will open the attic access and all drawers & doors to furniture, cabinets, and closets. Remove all valuables. Thieves with gas gear could target fumigated houses because some windows are left ajar under the tarp during fumigation. The property will not be guarded during this time and the homeowner may wish to take necessary precautions to prevent any entry. Turn off burglar alarms, remove smoke alarm batteries, remove protruding items like flagpoles or antennas. Note: do not hide things in drawers. All drawers are opened and checked for medicine to bag.

Vikane gas is what is used in the industry for fumigation. It is very quick acting and there is no residue after a fume. That means you don’t have to wash anything after the treatment. The fumigant is odorless and non-flammable; a small amount of teargas is added to give it a scent and will be gone by the time of re-entry. The gas is not harmful to the environment.

The termite company will fax the necessary paperwork including the Occupants Fumigation Notice to the real estate agent or the homeowner for signature. Once it is signed, it will need to be returned to the termite company prior to the fumigation.