Fumigation isn’t exactly fun. You need to bag all your food, find somewhere else to stay for at least two nights, and trust a company to pump toxic gas into your home while you’re away. If you’re going through all that trouble, you’ll want to make sure it actually happens—because there are a number of issues that can stop a fumigation in its tracks.

Here are 7 things that can derail your termite fumigation:

1. Swallows’ Nests
   I recently inspected a home with an active swallows’ nest in the eaves above the garage. Birds were coming and going, so fumigation was off the table. The homeowner had scheduled two inspections—one with my company, and one with Terminix. I recommended localized treatment and a borate attic application. Terminix, who almost always recommends fumigation, saw the nest and said they couldn’t help.

And they were right—you can’t legally fumigate a home with an active swallows’ nest. But the home still had treatable options. I accessed all the infested areas, there hadn’t been any swarming, and the house had already been fumigated recently. So if you have an active bird nest, you can’t fumigate—or use a company that only fumigates.

2. Hollow Fences
   If you share a hollow stucco wall or fence with a neighbor, you can’t fumigate unless they’re also fumigating or you’re willing to cut the fence. Tents need to reach the ground to contain the gas, and these kinds of fences can block that. If your inspector isn’t experienced, you might not find out until the morning of the fumigation—after you’ve already packed your bags.
3. Decks That Span Property Lines
   Large decks, especially ones that reach all the way to your neighbor’s property line, can complicate things. Unless portions of the decking can be removed so the tent reaches the soil, the entire deck will have to be enclosed, which can increase the price. And if the deck crosses into your neighbor’s lot, their permission may be required.
4. Plants Too Close to the House
   Fumigant gas will damage vegetation. Plants growing against the house or close to where the tent is placed may suffer, even if they’re heavily watered the day the tent goes up (which they should be). When the tent comes down, expect those plants to look a little rough.
5. Shared Gas Meters
   Gas must be shut off before fumigation, both to eliminate flame sources and prevent leaks from being trapped under the tent. In some neighborhoods, a single gas meter might serve multiple homes. I once fumigated a property in Mission Beach where the gas meter serviced two homes on different streets. The customer had to pay to put their neighbor in a hotel for two nights—because the gas shutoff wasn’t optional.
6. Fragile Roofs
   Tile roofs, especially clay or double-stacked clay tile, and some lightweight metal shake-style roofs can be easily damaged during fumigation. Fumigators have to walk on the roof to install the tent, and damage is hard to avoid. If you’re planning to replace your roof, it may be smart to fumigate first—or coordinate both projects together.
7. Conduits Between Structures
   If your property has multiple buildings (like a main house and a guest house), and you’re only fumigating one, conduits linking the structures need to be sealed with foam. Otherwise, the fumigant could travel from the tented structure into the one that’s occupied, which is extremely dangerous.

Avoid Fumigation Surprises—Work With an Experienced Inspector

These are just a few of the issues that can derail a fumigation. That’s why it’s important to work with a knowledgeable, experienced termite inspector—like the ones at California Termite. We’ll make sure your fumigation is feasible before you spend hours packing food and booking hotel rooms, only to find out your fumigation has to be postponed.

Call California Termite today to schedule your free inspection—and get the peace of mind you deserve.