Structural Fumigation for Drywood Termites

When fumigation makes sense

Drywood termites live inside the wood they eat. When a colony is in one door frame or a section of fascia, a local treatment can handle it. When there are several colonies, or they are inside walls and framing that cannot be opened up, local treatment will miss some of them. Structural fumigation fills the entire building with fumigant, so it reaches every piece of wood inside the tent.

We only recommend fumigation after an inspection. If a local treatment will do the job, we will tell you. See our termite control page for how we decide.

How tenting works

The structure is covered with tarps and sealed so the fumigant stays inside. The fumigant is released, held for the required time, and then the building is aired out. Before anyone goes back in, the air inside is tested and the home is cleared for re-entry. Everyone, including pets and plants, stays out of the home while it is under the tent.

Getting ready for fumigation

Before your fumigation date, we send a full prep sheet that walks you through every step. Our team is with you the whole way and can answer questions as they come up. Common prep items include:

• Arranging a place to stay for people and pets
• Bagging or removing food, medicine, and anything you eat or drink, following the prep sheet
• Removing indoor plants
• Opening interior doors, cabinets and drawers so the fumigant can move through the home
• Watering the soil around the foundation and trimming plants back from the walls when asked
• Making sure we can get into every part of the structure, including the attic and garage

Follow the prep sheet we give you rather than a general checklist, since requirements can vary by structure.

After the tent comes down

Fumigation treats the termites that are in the structure at the time. It does not repair wood that was already damaged, and it does not leave a barrier against future termites. If boards or trim were damaged, ask about wood repair. If you are selling, fumigation is often part of clearing findings on a WDO report.

Fumigation across the Sacramento region

We schedule fumigations for homes, multi-unit buildings, and commercial properties in Rio Linda, Sacramento, North Highlands, Antelope, Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Elk Grove, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Auburn, Placerville, Napa, Fairfield, Stockton and Lodi. Call (916) 999-9747 Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or send us a message below.