Every time I show up for a termite inspection, I ask the homeowner how they feel about fumigation. I ask because it matters. If someone is completely against tenting, I need to be extra diligent about finding every area of termite activity and figuring out how to address less accessible spots with alternative treatments.

If a homeowner is comfortable with fumigation, my focus shifts. I’ll measure and graph the structure, record the gas meter number, and look for anything that could complicate tenting—swallows’ nests, vegetation, tight property lines, roof type, and more. Even when tenting is the plan, I still need to be thorough. I have to know where termite droppings exist so they can be cleaned up or properly masked after treatment.

Occasionally, a homeowner will say, “I’ll go with whatever you recommend.” I don’t take issue with that mindset, but I’d rather people tell me what they truly want. If someone is strongly opposed to tenting and knows they’ll procrastinate if that’s the recommendation, I’d much rather they say so. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. And between tenting, alternatives to tenting, or doing nothing—doing nothing is by far the worst option.

Saying you’ll tent your home when you really don’t want to is a lot like joining a gym you never go to. You don’t get any of the benefits, but you still pay the price. With termites, the cost is worse. If you think you need to tent but don’t want to—and end up not doing it—termites keep eating, and the wood-repair meter runs nonstop.

Here’s a fun fact: termites don’t sleep. They work 24/7, 365 days a year. As long as there’s enough moisture, they don’t stop. What could have been a smaller issue—often under a couple thousand dollars—can easily turn into a major repair costing three or four times that amount. I was recently at a home where termite and fungus damage repairs were estimated at fifteen thousand dollars, and I’ve seen worse.

If you don’t want to tent, stick to your guns. Alternative treatments do work. Many homeowners worry about what might be happening inside their walls, behind drywall, insulation, and stucco. Meanwhile, the exposed wood—wood everyone can see and termites can easily access—is quietly disintegrating. In reality, infestations usually start in accessible areas and, when left unchecked, work their way into those hidden spaces. Not the other way around.

So if you’re uncomfortable in a gym, don’t join one. And if you truly don’t want to go through the hassle of fumigating your home, make that clear. Some of us in the termite world enjoy the challenge—and we’re here to help.