When conducting a termite inspection, it is crucial to consider various challenges that might affect the choice of treatment for eliminating termites in a home. Below are some common obstacles and considerations:

Fragile Tile Roofs

• Clay Tile Issues: Clay tile roofs, especially double-stacked tile, are prone to damage during fumigation. Walking on these roofs can result in broken tiles.
• Insurance: Tile insurance might cover the repair or replacement of broken tiles but can be costly or unavailable for certain roofing materials.
• Alternatives: If you’re not planning to replace a fragile tile roof soon, consider non-tenting treatment options.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

• Homes with internal sprinkler systems cannot undergo heat treatment unless the system is drained beforehand.
• Draining the system is often expensive, and finding a service provider willing to perform the task can be challenging.

Tenants

• • Fumigation requires a home to be vacated for at least two nights. All ingestible items must be bagged.
  • Landlords must arrange temporary housing for tenants and secure their cooperation.
  • These factors add to the overall cost of fumigation compared to alternative treatments.

Inaccessible Wood Members

• Chimney Framing: Framing around chimney tubes is often inaccessible for localized treatments and prone to infestation.
• Attic Framing: Inaccessible attic framing can be vulnerable to termite infestation through vents and might require tenting for effective treatment.

Conduits

If your home has a conduit that connects to another structure, the conduit must be sealed with foam, or the other structure will also need to be tented.

Vegetation

• Clearance: Fumigation requires at least 12 inches of clearance around the home. Dense vegetation or vines can complicate inspection and treatment.
• Plant Damage: Vines and plants attached to or near the house might be damaged during fumigation.

Zero Lot Lines

• Homes close to neighboring properties may require permission to place tents or ladders on a neighbor’s property.
• Access to wood members on the side of the house near a neighbor may also necessitate entry to the neighbor’s yard.

Hollow Fences

If your home has a hollow stucco fence connected to it that extends to your neighbor’s house, the fence will need to be cut so the tent can be placed between the fence and your home. 

Town Homes

If your house is connected to your neighbors’, you won’t be able to fumigate unless your neighbor also wants to tent. If your neighbor doesn’t receive regular termite inspections, their termite activity can become yours. 

Patio Covers

• Patio covers can obstruct access to the eaves above, complicating inspection and treatment efforts.

Belongings and Storage

• Cluttered garages or attics make it difficult or impossible to inspect or treat wood.

Tall Structures

• Extremely tall homes may require lifts to access the eaves for localized treatments, adding to the complexity and cost.

Steep Roofs

• Fumigating homes with steep roofs requires additional time, safety measures, and potentially delays due to inclement weather.

Ground Cover

• Ground cover near the home must be trimmed or raked back to allow tenting material to reach the soil level.

Accessibility

• Fumigators must access every room in the structure. Locked doors or inaccessible safes can halt the process and incur postponement fees.

No Attic Space

• Homes without attic entrances still contain wood framing between the ceiling and roof. Termites can infest these areas through vents, necessitating tenting if a colony develops.

Inaccessible Crawl Spaces

• Older homes and mobile homes often have crawl spaces that are too small or filled with mechanical systems, making inspections and treatments difficult. Tenting might be the only solution.

Lack of Accessible Wood to Treat

Some homes have no exposed wood due to boxed eaves, finished garages, and no attic space. Termites can still find hidden wood, and tenting may become the only viable option.

Gas Meters

Natural gas must be shut off before fumigation as the gas used reacts with open flames. Shared gas meters might require coordination with neighbors to turn off the gas.

By addressing these obstacles and planning accordingly, homeowners and termite professionals can select the most effective termite treatment methods to ensure thorough termite elimination.