Is tenting the same as fumigation?

Yes, tenting and fumigation refer to the same process.

Do I need to tent if I have termites?

Not necessarily. If the infestation is limited to a few accessible areas, spot treatments may be an option instead of tenting.

What might prevent me from tenting?

Several factors may complicate tenting, including:

• If your home is connected to another and your neighbor refuses fumigation.
• If the tent would extend onto a neighbor’s property and they won’t permit it.
• If you share a gas meter with a neighbor who won’t allow their gas to be turned off.
• If your roof is fragile; fumigators must walk on the roof, which may cause damage, especially on clay tile or double-stacked clay tile roofs.
• If your home has a vine-covered façade that you wish to preserve, as it may be damaged by the fumigation process.

What is involved if I decide to tent?

• Plan to leave your home for two nights (three if tenting is over a weekend).
• Bag all ingestible items not factory-sealed, including those in the fridge and freezer.
• Trim plants around your home and rake back ground cover.

Does fumigation kill all termites?

Fumigation is effective only against drywood termites, as it targets the termites present within the structure. Subterranean termites, however, live primarily underground. Fumigation won’t reach these termites; it only affects those within the structure during the treatment. To fully eliminate a subterranean termite colony, soil treatments are necessary.

If I have other insect issues, isn’t fumigation the best choice?

No, fumigation only kills live insects, not their eggs. Insect eggs will eventually hatch, leading to a new infestation. Termites are unique in that termite babies cannot survive without the adults. They need to ingest protozoans from adults into their stomachs in order to have the ability to digest wood.

Can I tent if I have solar panels?

Yes, solar panels usually don’t interfere with tenting.

What are the alternatives to tenting?

Alternative treatments include:

• Local treatments: Drilling and injecting termiticide into affected areas.
• Heat treatments: Applying heat to specific areas.
• Borate treatments: Using borate chemicals to prevent termites in exposed framing areas.

What is a local treatment?

Local treatment involves drilling and injecting termiticide into wood where termites are detected.

If I don’t tent, do I need to leave my home during treatment?

Generally, no. Local treatments and borate applications are directly applied to wood, so residents are not exposed to the chemicals.

What are borates and how do they work?

Borate treatments act as a preventative measure, typically applied to exposed wood in attics, crawl spaces, and garages. The chemical, absorbed into the wood, makes it inedible to termites. When termites consume borate-treated wood, it disrupts their digestive system, leading to their death.

Is orange oil a good alternative to tenting?

Not necessarily. Termites can taste and smell orange oil and may avoid treated areas. Orange oil only kills termites it contacts directly and does not offer long-term protection, as it dissipates within a year. Additionally, it is flammable.

What is included in a termite warranty?

A comprehensive termite warranty should cover the entire structure, include annual inspections, and cover necessary local treatments. Basic warranties may only cover treated areas and require customers to detect new activity themselves. Warranties are important even after fumigation to ensure effectiveness and address potential future infestations.

Are the chemicals used to treat my home a threat to my family or pets?

Termiticides are categorized under the least toxic “Caution” label, and are injected directly into wood, minimizing exposure. Borates, even safer, are common in household products like toothpaste.