Nobody wants to fumigate their house. For many homeowners, the thought of bagging all your food and leaving your home for three days is horrifying. Ironically, the belief that fumigation is the only solution can cause some people to ignore early signs of termite activity—right up until fumigation truly is the only option.

When a homeowner tells me they have no interest in tenting their home, I’m fine with that. It challenges me to be as thorough as possible: to find every accessible area of infestation and design a targeted treatment plan. But no matter how detailed an inspection is, no localized treatment will ever be as comprehensive as fumigation.

Below are circumstances where fumigation usually makes the most sense.

1. A drywood termite swarm occurs, and the source is unknown

It’s amazing how many flying termites can seem to come out of thin air. When I ask homeowners where the swarm originated, most don’t know. That’s because people tend to focus on where the termites landed, not where they came from. When the source can’t be identified, fumigation is often the only way to ensure all colonies are eliminated.

2. Active termites are visible in an inaccessible location

This commonly happens in attics or crawlspaces. An inspector may see termite droppings but be unable to reach the infested wood. It might be buried in tight attic framing, around a chimney chase, or behind plumbing or foundation piers in a crawlspace. If the infestation can’t be accessed, it can’t be treated locally.

3. The home will be vacant, and the termite history is unknown

This often comes up during real estate transactions, especially when a home is purchased “as is.” It can also apply to rental properties between tenants. When no one knows the treatment history—and the house will already be empty—fumigation can be a practical and efficient option.

4. Long-term termite activity has gone untreated and is now inside walls

Sometimes a homeowner calls because they notice a kickout—where termites are actively pushing droppings out of a wall or ceiling. If this is the only sign and the home was fumigated within the last 5–7 years, it may indicate a localized issue. But when kickouts are combined with activity in eaves, attics, and other areas—and there’s no clear inspection or treatment history—fumigation is usually the right call.

5. There is visible termite activity, but no way to inspect the framing

Some homes have no attic and are fully enclosed with stucco and drywall. All the framing is hidden, yet termites somehow found it. When you can see the evidence but can’t access the wood, localized treatment simply isn’t possible.

6. Most mobile homes

If a mobile home experiences a swarm, I generally recommend tenting. Mobile homes don’t have attic spaces, and the framing is concealed behind walls, flooring, and ceilings. There’s no realistic way to inspect or treat infestations locally.

7. The home has a fragile roof that’s scheduled for replacement

Clay tile roofs—especially double-stacked tile—are extremely fragile. Fumigation requires workers to walk on the roof while carrying heavy tenting material, and broken tiles are almost unavoidable. If you’re planning to reroof anyway, it often makes sense to fumigate before the new roof is installed.

8. Your home is connected to a neighbor’s home, and they want to tent

In attached structures, fumigation usually requires participation from both sides. If your neighbor is tenting, you may not get another opportunity. Even if your side shows less activity, termites don’t respect property lines. Going along with the fumigation may protect both homes.

Fumigation isn’t fun, but in certain situations, it’s necessary. The most important thing is not to ignore the signs. If you see evidence of termite activity, contact a termite company right away. In many cases, fumigation can be avoided—but waiting too long often takes that option off the table.