When To Tent For Termites

5 Signs It’s Time to Tent for Drywood Termites

The Drywood Termite is a form of termite that may be found in the southern section of the coastal United States, from Texas to North Carolina, as well as Hawaii and California. If you do not reside in one of these locations, you may not be aware of it. Drywood termites, in contrast to subterranean termites (which build their colonies below the ground) and dampwood termites (which build their colonies in and around moisture-saturated wood), build their colonies in completely sound, dry wood. If left untreated, even though the size of a typical drywood termite colony is much smaller (up to 5000) than the size of a typical subterranean termite colony (up to 1,000,000), drywood termites can still cause significant and costly structural damage.

Whole structure tent fumigations, which have been the gold standard in drywood termite elimination for decades, are now competing for treatment space with a slew of other options, including localized spot treatments, heat, electrocution, freezing, wood injection, chemical termiticide liquids, dusts, foams, microwaves, and other methods of elimination.

And how do you know when it’s time to tent for drywood termites in the first place?

From the standpoint of the client, fumigation is a time-consuming, inconvenient, and frequently expensive endeavor.

Furthermore, the investment required to adequately equip a company to provide these types of services prevents the majority of pest control operators from including this service in their list of available services.

Consequently, alternate treatment alternatives were inevitable in many respects, regardless of whether the operation was successful.

Disadvantages of tent fumigation for customers

  • Costly. There is an additional expense in addition to the actual cost of the fumigation itself (which can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the size of the structure), which is the cost of arranging for temporary housing for two or three nights while the house must be vacant during the fumigation. Additional preparations, such as the disposal of many food items, the damage to interior plants and exterior foliage near the exterior of the home, the removal of structural attachments, and other tasks, can quickly add up. Roof tile damage is also not unusual as a result of the fumigation procedure
  • This is inconvenient for the homeowner. It is necessary to remove all living creatures from the treated environment (people, pets, plants, produce, and so on) for a period of two to three days following a structural fumigation for drywood termites. Depending on how many people are involved, this may not be too much of a headache. For some, it may be a matter of exposure risk. In order to treat drywood termites, large quantities of gas must be introduced into the home, allowing the toxins to penetrate throughout all wood members at levels strong enough to kill any termites present. Unfortunately, this gas is not only harmful to termites
  • It is also dangerous to humans. And, while instances of lethal exposure to humans are rare, there have been enough documented cases of death and injury to warrant at the very least a pause before moving forward with the project. In 2015, Peyton McCaughey, a 10-year-old Florida boy, suffered significant brain damage after re-entering his family’s house after being exposed to a tent fumigation. The chemical company Terminix was fined ten million dollars in 2016 after poisoning a family in the Virgin Islands with a fumigant. If someone were to remain within the treated structure throughout the fumigation procedure, they would be at high risk of death from exposure. Rather frequently, exposure occurs after the fumigation is complete as a result of returning to a property that has not been fully cleansed of poisonous gases, or as a result of the gas becoming trapped inside a substance such as plastic and then being released.

The Fumigation of Structural Tents Procedure However, while each fumigation company has its own procedures for performing a structural tent fumigation, the following is a general outline of what is involved (the amount of time between steps may vary from one company to another depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the home, the pest being fumigated for, the concentration of fumigant, and other considerations):

  1. With huge tarps covering the whole structure, a fumigant is slowly injected into the structure. After the house has been sealed for 12 to 36 hours (usually approximately a day), it is possible for the poisonous fumigant to seep through all of the wood elements of the structure. As escaping gas might render the fumigation ineffective, some businesses will employ specialist equipment to guarantee that enough amounts of fumigant are maintained in all areas of the home during the fumigation process
  2. However, this is not always the case. Aeration begins once the tarps are removed by the fumigation firm, which usually takes around 24 hours (give or take a few hours). During this period, the residence remains under lockdown since it is not yet safe to allow anyone back in. When the house has had a chance to air out for a day or two, the fumigation firm returns with specialist equipment to check the concentration of any lingering gas in all of the rooms. The homeowners will be able to return to their house as long as the gas levels remain below the threshold necessary for safe re-entry. If gas is still identified in some areas of the house, the aeration will be maintained until the house is deemed safe for habitation.

Disadvantages of tent fumigation for pest control companies

  • Expensive. Setting up a fumigation crew is one of the most expensive endeavors a pest control company can undertake, which is one of the primary reasons so few companies choose to participate. The expense of such expensive equipment, in addition to a flat-bed truck or other vehicle with the capability of transporting multiple big (and thus expensive) tarps, might range from respirators and fumigant gas to clamps, warning agents, signs, and other similar items. Licensing. Any firm that wishes to undertake tent fumigations must first get a permit from the appropriate authority. The presence of an employee who has completed a state fumigation certification exam, which necessitates a higher degree of technical skill, is often required in this situation. While the majority of states have a large number of certified pest control applicators who are licensed to perform standard pest control work, only a small number of those applicators are licensed to perform fumigation. Liability. If you compare tent fumigation to the majority of pest control service options, the liability connected with tent fumigation is quite high, and for good reason. Storage, transportation, and injection of deadly gas raises the stakes in terms of ensuring that no mistakes are made in the process. Training is essential in the case of fumigation since errors might have fatal repercussions
  • In order to operate a fumigation firm, the greatest levels of training and a dedication to method, protocol, and paperwork are required. This requires, among other things, a commitment of time, resources, and financial resources
  • And

Sometimes. However, this is not always the case, and it may not always be the case. Tenting for drywood termites, on the other hand, differs from all other existing treatment procedures for one very specific reason: structural tent fumigations use a gas to infiltrate all wood elements of the building at the same time, effectively killing any drywood termites that may be found inside. All other therapies are limited to treating specific sections of the structure. On the surface, it is rational to conclude that tent fumigation is superior since it is more extensive.

  1. Tenting for drywoods may be prohibitively expensive at times, owing to the necessity of abandoning the structure for up to three nights at a period, as well as the extensive amount of preparation that must be done beforehand.
  2. After everything is said and done, a tent fumigation for drywood termites may be the most logical course of action in some cases.
  3. 1.
  4. As a result of what we know about the biology of drywood termites, we can say that they spread through a process known as swarming.
  5. Aside from that, they will continue to spread within contaminated wood members and onto neighboring wood members as the colony progressively grows in size over time.

Having multiple infestation points in different parts of a structure that are not adjacent to one another indicates a high likelihood of having multiple termite colonies to contend with as well as a high likelihood of having additional termite colonies in other areas that are not yet readily apparent.

  • 2.
  • In order to be effective, each of the alternate treatment solutions must have direct access to the damaged wood members.
  • A treatment area 4 or 5 feet distant, on the other hand, is unlikely to have any effect on termite populations in the immediate vicinity.
  • It is virtually impossible to get rid of drywood termites completely if you suspect that you have drywood termites infesting wood that cannot be immediately treated with a chemical treatment.
  • So, if you are unable to gain access to all of the contaminated wood members, it may be necessary to tent for drywood termites.
  • Drywood termites swarm in the same location for several years in a row.
  • In the case of a termite, it indicates the existence of an established termite colony that is actively seeking to form new colonies in the surrounding region.

Termite swarms that return year after year suggest the presence of well-established termite colonies that would be difficult to separate in order for targeted treatments to be completely successful.

4.

Drywood termite swarms in an attic, in the majority of cases, provide unique problems for targeted treatment efforts due to the possibility of infection in inaccessible wood components.

Insulation, particularly the blown-in form, can exacerbate existing accessibility issues by adding to them.

Certain conduits, such as air conditioning ducts, plumbing, electrical, and other conduits, may prevent termite treatment from reaching certain areas of an attic.

As a general rule, if you’ve detected drywood termites swarming in your attic, it’s probably time to tent the structure.

Drywood termites infesting a wood flooring surface.

For starters, termite damage to the flooring itself may cause the thinness of the flooring to be weakened to the point where it prevents any termite foam or liquid treatment from remaining in the treated zone adequately.

If drywood termites are present in the lower layers of wood as well as the exposed wood floor area, treating only the exposed wood floor portion is unlikely to be effective.

Tenting for drywood termites is a dreadful experience on all levels.

Auxiliary expenses connected with tent fumigation can considerably surpass the actual costs of tent fumigation in some circumstances, such as in multi-unit facilities like as apartment buildings or condominium complexes, when tenting is used.

When it comes to drywood termite treatment, you should seek the assistance of a highly qualified drywood termite specialist who will implement a combination of localized termite treatment tactics if you are unable or reluctant to proceed with a tent fumigation for whatever reason.

Should you do your own drywood termite treatment?

Only as a last resort should this be used. It needs a certain amount of technical ability and experience to inspect, detect, isolate, and treat for drywood termites, which untrained folks are unlikely to have on their hands. If, on the other hand, there is no other practical alternative than to treat yourself, Pest Control You may get assistance from Everything’s Termite Control Guide throughout the procedure. When dealing with freshly introduced termites, one of the ready-to-use termite foams listed below offers an affordable solution with a decent chance of success.

How To Determine If It Is Time To Tent Your Home

Those large, striped or colorful tents that cover residences or office buildings may have caught your eye in the past. Despite their bright colors, they are fumigation tents, and it is not a pleasant experience to be in one. Fortunately, most individuals will only require a tent fumigation if their property has been infected with drywood termites, which is rare. If you have termites or other pests in your house, you may be thinking whether tenting your home is necessary to solve the problem. Just because you have a bug issue does not always imply that you should do a tent fumigation.

  1. So, how do you know when it’s time to put up a tarp over your residence?
  2. Any form of insect infestation has the potential to spiral out of control.
  3. Drywood termites may inflict significant damage to your home, frequently long before you are aware that you have a problem.
  4. They stealthily gnaw away at our houses, and we are completely unaware of what is going on.
  5. If you’ve determined that spot treatments will not be sufficient, it’s time to consult with a professional to determine whether your home requires a tent fumigation.

When it’s too difficult to locate or access the infestation with targeted methods.

Sometimes an infestation may be found behind our walls or in other tough-to-reach areas, making it impossible to discover the source of the problem, even with expert treatment services. If this becomes a problem, your pest control professionals may advise you to tent your house.

How to prepare for your home being tented

While fumigation with tents can be a difficult process, the majority of the work is left to the professionals. You will need to do some preliminary work, though. As soon as a professional determines that your house requires a tent fumigation, you’ll need to schedule a time for the filthy work to be completed. Everyone, including your pets, must be taken from your residence. Remove any houseplants that you may have in your home. Check to verify that all doors and windows are securely closed.

All linens and towels should be taken from your residence. In addition, any food and food preparation products, such as your toaster and other appliances, will have to be removed. Turn off all appliances, as well as the gas flames and pilot lights, if applicable.

What is the fumigation process?

After you’ve finished preparing your home for fumigation, it’s time to set up the tent. A professional will cover your entire house with a giant tent, making it appear as if the circus has descended upon town. The tendon is firmly attached to the ground: all corners, edges, and connecting sections are nailed into place. Exterminators send gas into the tent as well as into your home to kill the insects. The tent will be left up for approximately two days. After the tent has been removed, the house will need to be thoroughly aired out before anybody can return to its original condition.

See also:  How To Set Up A Tent Inside

The Ins and Outs of Termite Tenting

You are creating memories with your family and storing treasures in this structure, which is more than simply a physical structure. Keeping your house in good condition and protecting it is essential. Renovations, replacement of kitchen appliances, and termite protection are just a few of the duties that come with house ownership. Due to the fact that every year in the United States, homeowners pay more than $2 billion to safeguard their houses against termites, which are wood-eating, destructive insects, termites are included on the list of obstacles of homeownership.

  • They are also well-known for consuming newspaper.
  • When dealing with termites, it’s crucial to remember that they don’t bite or damage humans.
  • This treatment protects your home from termite infestations and helps to keep the structure of your property secure from termite damage during construction.
  • Termites are frequently discovered after a home has been under attack for several years by the homeowner.
  • Spreading infestations (particularly in inaccessible areas) are what make tent fumigation an attractive option for controlling pests.
  • Termite fumigation is a process in which a gas is released into a structure and penetrates deep into the wood structures where termites dwell and feed.
  • This termite treatment entails covering the entire structure with a tent and employing a gas that is toxic to termites in order to kill and destroy the insect colonies on the structure.
  • Typically, the technician will set up a tent over the entire structure of your home and then connect a fan and hose to the tent in order to pump the gas into your home.
  • Once the tent is removed, the gas that was utilized evaporates swiftly and completely, leaving no trace behind.

Is Termite Fumigation Effective?

Despite the fact that fumigation is an efficient therapeutic approach, it is not a preventative measure. Fumigation is effective at controlling Drywood Termite colonies that are actively reproducing at the time of treatment, but it provides no protection against the establishment of new colonies. There are contact wood treatments available as a secondary treatment option to help prevent future infestations. Drywood Termite infestations are more difficult to avoid than Subterranean Termite infestations because there are more possible entrance places for Drywood Termites than there are for Subterranean Termites.

A proactive program, however, that includes direct wood treatment as well as regular maintenance, provides the most comprehensive level of protection against decay.

Is Termite TentingFumigation Safe?

The termite fumigation procedure is quite complicated and includes the use of insecticides that are not intended for general use. Fumigations can only be carried out by qualified professionals, such as those employed by us, who have undergone extensive training and passed certification exams. There are several pieces of equipment that a certified termite expert can use to help ensure that your termite fumigation is done in the safest possible manner.

  • During the treatment procedure, a fumiscope is utilized to assess the amounts of fumigant gas in the air. In order to identify any gases that may escape from the treatment area, leak detectors are utilized. It is necessary to use a clearance equipment to check for extremely low quantities of fumigant (1 part per million or less) in the residence before humans and pets may be allowed back in. Once the residence has been adequately ventilated and cleansed of debris, fumigants do not leave residues on household goods after treatment has been completed.

Some Fumigation Advantages:

  • In the case of Drywood Termites, when correctly administered, it is more successful than many local treatment procedures in killing them.
  • Drywood termites, carpet beetles, clothes moths, cockroaches, bed bugs, rats, and other pests are all killed by this product. It should be noted that a higher concentration of fumigant is necessary to kill bed bugs and other wood boring insects.
  • Even though locating live Drywood Termites in a structure is a difficult task, the efficiency of fumigation is not affected by this since the fumigation will permeate all wood elements within the structure.

As we understand that this is a vital but often frightening activity at times, our team would be delighted to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about termites or the fumigation process. As a reminder, whatever pest problem you may be experiencing, you can contact us and JD Smith Pest Control will provide you with a free inspection to alleviate your concerns, as well as designing a comprehensive plan to eliminate existing infestations and prevent new colonies from forming in your home or business.

No-Tent vs. Tent Termite Treatment

Owning a house is frequently one of the most satisfying and valuable purchases you can make. Your house is more than just a physical building; it is also a location where your family’s memories are formed and your belongings are kept safe and secure. It’s critical to protect and preserve your home’s structure. Many concerns and duties occur as a result of homeownership, including bathroom renovations, kitchen appliance repairs, and termite control. In the United States, homeowners spend more than $2 billion each year to safeguard their homes against termites, which eat and destroy wood.

  • Termites damage a variety of structural components of a house, including the foundation, framing, and flooring.
  • In reality, in 1997, underground termites attacked a municipal library in Windermere, Florida, causing extensive damage.
  • Termite treatment, on the other hand, must be carried out in a controlled setting.
  • It is unusual for termites to infest your home for several months without presenting any symptoms of their existence, which makes them particularly difficult to detect.

In order to make an informed decision about termite treatment in Fort Lauderdale, we recommend that you gather information about all of your options. Costs of termite treatment, tent termite treatment, and no-tent termite treatment are some of the options you have to consider.

How you do know if you have termites?

Through the whole month of April, termite swarms can be found in large numbers. Termites are easily distinguished visually because they look similar to ants with wings. Winged termites can not cause structural damage to your home, but they are easy indicators that termites are present in your home. Termites that cause damage to your home live underground and tunnel their way into your structure to feed on the wood. Chipped wood, sawdust-like residues, and hollow wood that was once solid are some of the most visible physical indicators of the infestation.

Why should I use a professional for my termite treatment?

Heavy-duty equipment is required for the majority of suggested and efficient pest control treatments in Fort Lauderdale. Avoid doing the work on your own since the cost in termite treatment equipment is significant and typically does not allow homeowners to break even on their investment. Termite treatment often entails the use of chemicals, which is why it is always advisable to hire a skilled pest control specialist. There are various different types of termite treatments available, and a professional will be best prepared to assist you in determining which treatment is appropriate for your property in Ft.

Types of Termite Treatment

In bigger structures, it is usually more cost efficient to treat only the problematic portions rather than the entire structure. According to the procedure, the technician must drill holes and inject termiticide medication into the colony to kill the termites.

Bait or Barrier Termite Treatment

It is necessary to strategically place bait and barriers in order to concentrate termites in a specific area during this process. In strategic locations around the home, termiticide stations are established, and termiticide is injected to a depth of at least 4 feet underground. It is also pumped directly into the walls of the building itself.

Tent or Fumigation Treatment

It is necessary to cover the whole structure with a tent and to use a gas that is deadly to termites to kill and destroy the insect colonies in order to effectively treat and prevent termite infestations. In the case of termites, termite tenting allows the gas to enter wood and kill termites on the spot. Typically, the technician will build up a tent over the whole structure of your home and then connect a fan and hose to the tent in order to pump the gas into your home. Termite tenting can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to complete.

Typically, extra changes must be made, such as removing any house plants, pruning any trees that may interfere with the tenting, and removing any uncanned items from the house or apartment.

No Tent Termite Treatment

There is no need to leave your home for an extended period of time with no tent treatment. It is also less expensive than tent treatment. To name a few examples, you will not be required to relocate temporarily, remove plants, uncanned food, cosmetics, or medications, nor will you be required to worry about remodeling or roof damage, taking down satellites and antennas, or trimming trees in the vicinity. No tent termite treatment is well-known for addressing the problem with minimal interruption and restoring your property to its original functionality as fast as possible after treatment.

The disadvantage of not using a tent for termite treatment is that it may overlook critical areas of infestation, giving termites the opportunity to reproduce and re-infest the area.

Cost of Termite Treatment

The cost of termite tent treatment varies depending on the area, the infestation, and other considerations. For a property that is around 1250 square feet in size, a chemical treatment may cost between $1,350 and $2,500, while a bigger home that is approximately 2500 square feet can cost between $1,700 and $3,200. The cost of termite treatment for your property in Ft. Lauderdale is determined on your individual requirements and requirements. It is important to meet with a pest control professional at your residence in order to obtain a realistic cost and assess whether more than one termite treatment is required.

Tent treatments are expensive and require a substantial upfront cost; yet, they often kill and dissipate the majority of termite colonies in a single treatment.

How Often Should We Tent?

When drywood termite infestations in a home are present, structural fumigation is employed to manage the infestation. If the infestation is large, difficult to find, or difficult to reach with more focused ways, this treatment method should be utilized only in those cases when more targeted treatments fail. Your pest control professional can discuss treatment options with you if he or she discovers signs of drywood termites in your home during an annual termite inspection. These may include structural fumigation.

However, it is critical to continue receiving yearly examinations following fumigation to ensure that any symptoms of infestation are identified as soon as possible after treatment.

Tips to Prevent Drywood Termite Infestations

Infestations of drywood termites begin with a king and queen slipping into a crack in the wood of a home, excavating a small “nuptial” nest, and sealing themselves within. You may assist avoid an infestation by using protective wood treatments and doing regular house care, which should include the following activities:

  • Seal any cracks, fissures, and joints on the outside of your home
  • This includes the foundation. When the paint on your outside wood begins to peel or bubble, give it a fresh coat of paint. Maintain the screens on the attic and foundation vents. Remove any things in your yard that might harbor termites, such as dead trees and timber, and dispose of them properly. Keep firewood stored far away from your home to avoid easy access to it.

Fumigating and Tenting a Home for Drywood Termites

Drywood termites, in contrast to subterranean termites, dwell within the structure of their food supply, rendering soil treatments useless. It is recommended to use structural fumigation to treat drywood termite infestations that are severe, widespread, partially inaccessible, and/or difficult to locate. Pest infestations that are not as severe are often treated with termiticides that are injected directly into the wood or with localized heat treatment. Drywood Termites are a kind of termite that feeds on wood.

See also:  How To Fold Instant Tent

How Does Termite Fumigation Work?

In the course of the termite fumigation procedure, an experienced pest control specialist will set up an encircling tent (tarps) around the structure before releasing a fumigant throughout the structure. The fumigant will circulate throughout the house in order to reach cracks and fissures between and within wood, where termites may tunnel and establish a base of operations. Termites will inhale the fumigant, which will deplete their oxygen reserves, impair their neurological system, and ultimately result in their death as a result.

When the tarps are removed, the fumigant will begin to dissipate into the surrounding air.

The full fumigation procedure, from preparation to treatment to aeration, can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, depending on the size of the house and the weather conditions outside the house.

This is done for safety reasons. While it is necessary to follow the expert’s directions in terms of preparing or removing certain objects before to the fumigation, termite fumigants do not leave any lasting traces in a home or on household goods after the treatment.

Is Termite Fumigation Effective?

Despite the fact that fumigation is an efficient therapeutic approach, it is not a preventative measure. Drywood termite colonies that are active at the time of treatment are controlled by fumigation, but the treatment provides little protection against the establishment of new colonies. Drywood termite infestations are more difficult to avoid than subterranean termite infestations because there are more possible entry openings for drywood termites than there are for subterranean termites. If you and your pest professional seal as many cracks as possible and maintain exposed wood on a regular basis, you and your pest professional can help lessen the possibility of an infestation.

Are Termite TentingFumigation Safe?

The termite fumigation procedure is quite complicated and includes the use of insecticides that are not intended for general use. It is only by specialists who have undergone intensive training and passed certification exams that fumigations may be carried out. There are a variety of items of equipment that a qualified termite specialist may employ to assist guarantee that your termite fumigation is as safe as possible:

  • During the treatment procedure, a fumiscope is utilized to assess the amounts of fumigant gas in the air. In order to identify any gases that may escape from the treatment area, leak detectors are utilized. It is necessary to use a clearance equipment to check for extremely low quantities of fumigant (1 part per million or less) in the residence before humans and pets may be allowed back in.

Once the residence has been adequately ventilated and cleansed, there are no residues left behind by fumigants on household objects following treatment.

More Information

Preparation for Fumigation How Often Should We Tent Our House Against Termites?

To Tent or Not To Tent?

Termites are a big source of concern for homes in South Florida, where temperatures are moderate, humidity is high, and the climate is tropical. The following has been said about South Florida homes: “There are two types of homes in South Florida: homes with termites and homes that will have termites.” Drywood termites, subterranean termites, and conehead termites are the most common types of termites that cause significant damage to structures in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, Collier, and Palm Beach Counties, among other places.

Drywood termite colonies are smaller than subterranean termites

Subterranean and conehead termites are invasive species that require contact with the ground in order to thrive. These termites get access to your home through ground-to-wood contact and travel long distances in search of food to bring back to their nests. Subterranean termites breed in enormous colonies with millions of workers, causing vast destruction and feeding their ever-increasing numbers of offspring. Drywood colonies are smaller in size, and infestations are typically confined to a single location, though they can contain multiple nests.

Infesting sound, non-decaying wood in older homes, drywood termites have adapted to drier, indoor conditions

Drywood termites, on the other hand, are adaptable and do not require soil contact to survive, as well as just a little amount of water due to a stronger outer cuticle, and they live in the wood that they infest.

It is more common for drywood termites to invade older homes that have sound, non-decayed wood. Drywood termites will infest hardwood floors as well as wood frame windowsills, doors, and furniture, as well as fascia boards and attics.

Pairs of discarded wings found inside your home can indicate a drywood termite infestation

Drywood termites are most likely to infiltrate your home during swarming season, when young reproductives fly around in search of mates and a location to establish their own colonies of their own. This mating behavior normally takes place during the summer months, following a rain or two. The new couple emerges from the drywood alates or reproductives after mating and finds a new home among the cracks in the wood of your home’s structure. Drywood termites can be identified by the presence of pairs of wings on window sills and in light fixtures, which can be an indicator of an infestation.

Drywood termite “frass” indicates drywood termite activity

Due to the fact that drywood termites dwell inside your home’s wood, out of sight, and can remain dormant for a year or more, termite infestations can go undetected for a lengthy period of time. Drywood termites are frequently found in wood that is close to the ground level, however this is not always the case. The presence of pellet-shaped feces known as “frass,” in addition to the presence of abandoned pairs of wings on window sills, can be an even more indicative evidence of drywood termite activity.

These six-sided fecal pellets, which are usually seen in heaps, resemble mounds of sawdust or coffee grounds in appearance.

Hollow sounding wood and paper thin wood surfaces point to drywood termite infestations

Due to drywood termites consuming the interior spring wood contained within your boards and timbers, the surface of your boards and timbers may appear blistered or warped as the structural foundation beneath the surface has been carved out to allow for termite galleries to develop. When tapped, termite-infested wood may sound hollow, and it can be easily punctured with a pointed tool if the infestation is severe. Termites digging into wood can leave a honeycomb pattern on wood surfaces, which can be identified as such.

Hulett offers two termite treatment options

According to Hulett Environmental Services, when it comes to termite treatment solutions, you have two choices: fumigation in which your home is tented or fumigation in which your property is not tented. Here at Hulett, we provide both types of therapy options. It is crucial to remember that not all residences are eligible for no-tent fumigation services. We will, on the other hand, gladly come out to your house and do a FREE termite inspection for you. Following the inspection, we will let you know whether or not your home is a good match for our no-tent solution.

A thorough understanding of the fumigation process is required, and Hulett is your best local resource for this.

For more than 45 years, Hulett has been a dependable provider for all of your fumigation needs, whether tent or no-tent oriented. The education and training of our professionals, as well as the preservation of the happiness and health of your house, are top priorities.

No-tent termite solutions target termite colonies:

  • Hulett professionals inject a high-tech repellant chemical straight into termite galleries, preventing them from reproducing. Workers that are still in their infancy transmit these specific ingredients across the whole termite colony. When the repellant elements infect the whole colony, the queen dies and the colony is forced to abandon its home.

With Hulett’s unique, no-tent termite treatment, the only extra inconvenience you may have to deal with is keeping an eye out for any more colony activity after the treatment has been completed. A leader in the local professional pest control business for more than 45 years, Hulett has tented thousands of homes and businesses in South Florida throughout that time period. However, thanks to technical advancements in pest treatment materials and processes, we are able to provide you with additional, more straightforward, and ecologically responsible solutions to drywood termite problems.

  • You’ll be moving out of your house for many days, making arrangements for your family and pets, and disrupting your daily routine. Relocating your furniture, houseplants, and other big things away from the fumigation zones is highly recommended. The removal of all uncanned food items from your home (or the wrapping of these items in plastic film)
  • Making a complete purge of all cosmetics and drugs from your house
  • Whether or not your roof will be damaged, and whether or not your landscaping will be harmed
  • Activities involving the pruning of shrubs and trees
  • Disconnecting satellite dishes and antennas from their power sources

Hulett’s no-tent solutions are effective in certain types of dwellings. However, depending on the extent of the termite infestation discovered in your house during our FREE termite inspection, it may be decided that your property does not qualify for the no-tent method of treatment. We will advise you on the most appropriate method for your property, whether it is to tent or not. If it is determined that tenting is the best course of action, Hulett has 45 years of expertise with tenting houses and is devoted to providing quality in South Florida’s homes.

Just give Hulett a call!

Don’t Know if you Need Fumigation? Read This Special Report First! Termite Terry’s Termite & Pest Control Services

Do you have termites in your drywood? So, how do you determine whether your home requires fumigation or whether a spot treatment will suffice? Every day, hundreds of homeowners are confronted with this dilemma, and many of them end up getting screwed as a result. This report contains facts that can help you avoid getting conned out of your money! The drywood termites, which are a major concern in Southern California, are extremely destructive. Homeowners frequently disagree about whether or not they should fumigate their properties, which is especially true in coastal areas.

  1. The situation is analogous to the famous story about the person who went to one doctor for a checkup and the doctor instructed him to quit smoking.
  2. The next doctor advised him to give up smoking as well!
  3. In his mind, the facts didn’t really matter; what mattered was that the doctor told him what he wanted to hear!
  4. The other day, I went to a four-plex that had thousands of dollars in termite damage all around the outside eave sections, and I found it to be a disaster.
  5. A number of termite inspectors examined the property, and they all concluded that the structure needed to be fumigated.
  6. HE WAS APPOINTED BY HER!
  7. To put it plainly, I believe she would have better odds if she took that money and used it to buy lottery tickets instead.

Why should you believe anything a salesperson says?

” alt=””> ” alt=””> According to the California Structural Pest Control Board’s documentation, not all dry wood termite-infested homes are required to have their structures fumigated.

If treatments other than fumigation are indicated, you should be aware that targeted treatments will not result in the elimination of any additional concealed infestations in the structure that may have been present.

However, because these treatments are designed to be applied to a specific targeted region only, the chance of further undiscovered infestations within the building cannot be ruled out.

Moreover, they advise us that any pest control company that claims to achieve whole-house results using local or spot control methods is engaging in false advertising and should be reported.

Fumigations occur when a house is enclosed in a tent for the purpose of disinfection.

The house, however, is not filled with lethal gas, but instead is heated until the interior temperature reaches 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Please keep in mind that much of the information provided above comes from a California State Department of Consumer Affairs fact sheet titled “STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL FACT SHEET,” which was published in July 1998.

I am writing to express my gratitude for the time you have taken to read this letter.

It is possible that a second inspection or opinion will be required.

for more information or to schedule an appointment, please complete our onlineOrder Formand we will respond as soon as possible.

Do you have any questions or concerns concerning termite fumigation?

For the most up-to-date information, including current fumigation safety studies, please see the link provided below.

Dr. Rober Krieger’s article, as well as commonly asked questions Termidor is the termiticide of choice for the majority of our localized drywood termite treatments. To learn more about this product, please visit the Termidor website by clicking on the emblem.

Drywood Termites? Fumigation is the solution!

Do you have questions regarding termite tenting, such as how much it costs or if it is a good investment? Don’t worry, we’ve put up a handbook that will assist you in answering all of these questions and many more. Continue reading to find out all you need to know. Disclaimer: REthority is financed by advertisements and participation in affiliate programs. When you click on one of our links, we may receive a commission. Please note that the information contained in this post is provided solely for educational reasons and should not be construed as legal or financial advice.

See also:  What To Do If There'S A Bear Outside Your Tent
Jump to:
  • In this article, we will discuss what is termite tenting, how it works, the difference between termite tenting and fumigation, and the cost of termite tenting. In this article, we will discuss what is termite tenting, how it works, the difference between termite tenting and fumigation, and the cost of termite tenting.

Request a Quote Locate a Pest Control Company in Your Area We’ve worked with Networx to make it easier for you to identify local pest control technicians. To receive a no-obligation quote, please complete the form below. Pest Control can be found. We may receive a commission if you click on this link, but there is no additional cost to you. Termite colonies can infiltrate and demolish a house at an alarmingly rapid rate. Drywood termites are a common cause of termite damage in the United States, and they are notoriously difficult to eradicate.

What Is Termite Tenting?

Termite tenting is a type of pest management treatment that involves pumping poison gas (fumigant) into a home that has been covered with a big “tent” to eliminate an infestation of termites. The tent retains the deadly gas within the house, and it aids in its penetration deep into every element of the house, including the wood beams and rafters that support the roof. In the case of a tough termite infestation or one that is difficult to access, tenting can be incredibly successful in eliminating it.

  1. If you’re thinking about hiring a pest control company to tent your house, you’ve definitely got a lot of concerns and questions.
  2. How much will it set you back?
  3. Do you know how long you’ll have to wait before you’ll be able to return home?
  4. In this article, we’ll go over the answers to those queries.
  5. Consider first the distinction between termite tenting and fumigation, which will be discussed later.

Termite Tenting vs. Fumigation

The terms termite tenting and fumigation are often used interchangeably in the pest management industry, although there is a significant distinction between the two. Termite tenting is a more general phrase that refers to the process of constructing a structure to enable for the fumigation or heat treatment of termites. Fumigation is the most frequent method of termite tenting, and it involves pumping deadly gas inside the tented home in order to reach every nook and cranny and eradicate the termite infestation completely.

Similarly to gas treatment, hot air is pumped into the residence and heated to at least 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills the colony, rather of using gas to heat the home.

This type of tenting does not necessitate the use of ventilation. The use of heat treatment for termites is far less prevalent than the use of fumigation, which is why we’ll concentrate on fumigation in this article.

How Termite Tenting Works

To begin, you must contact a pest control company to arrange for an atermite inspection. Then they discover that there is a massive and spreading infestation. For fumigation, it is most probable that termite tents will be recommended.

Clear the House

Smaller colonies that are more localized can be handled with less extreme means that do not necessitate the use of tents, such as smothering them. Everyone who lives in the house (including plants and pets) must vacate the premises for about three days to allow for the completion of the termite tenting operation. Anything in the house that you will ingest later, such as medicines and food, should be removed or double bagged with Nyoflume bags to prevent contamination (your pest control company will provide you with plenty of these).

This keeps your food and medications safe while you’re camping.

Open All Crevices

Before you leave the house, your qualified pest control technician will ask you to check that all doors (including cabinet doors) and drawers are open throughout the house to allow the gas to penetrate completely and effectively. The pest control professional ensures that all of the home’s doors and windows are closed and locked to guarantee that no one may accidently enter. They want to use a canvas tent to encapsulate the entire house (thoughsome fumigation is tentlessand involves just sealing all doorways and windows to the home).

An experienced pest control professional will next inject the fumigant (often Vikane) inside the completely enclosed and sealed-off residence.

Fumigate and Wait

According to the severity of the infestation, the size of the house, and the weather conditions, this could take anywhere from 6 hours to a full week to complete the task. Typically, the actual fumigation period is brief, lasting no more than 24 hours or less in total. If necessary, your pest control specialist will open the seals around the house and begin using a ventilation system to air out the house and make it safe for re-entry after the fumigation is complete. During the ventilation process, which can take several hours, your pest control professional will test the air to verify that you and your family do not return to your house until the level of fumigant in the air has dropped to 1 part per million (ppm) or below.

What Happens After Termite Tenting?

A few termites from the colony may live for up to one week after the fumigation, but they will not survive for much longer than that because of the deadly gas used. Because termite eggs are not killed by the fumigant, you may even observe a few newly born termites during your inspection. The newborn termites, on the other hand, will perish within a few days if they are not accompanied by the remainder of the colony.

Within one week of your fumigation date, the whole colony should have died off completely. Apart from the possibility of a few termites lingering in your home, you may notice an increase in the amount of other pests (such as ants and roaches) that find their way into your home.

Results Are Evaluated

They will appear in order to consume the dead termites. If this occurs, call your local pest control firm to set up a comprehensive pest control program for your entire house. Your belongings and your home will not be contaminated by the gas fumigant that was used to treat your home. Due to the poisonous nature of the gas used in termite tenting and fumigation, some people have reported experiencing symptoms after returning to their homes. If the house was properly ventilated and the air tested, this shouldn’t have happened.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a fumigation, see your doctor right away and notify the pest control company of your condition.

Termite Tenting Cost

Its home’s size, as well as your location, will influence the cost of termite tenting. Your home’s size, as well as its location, will influence the cost of termite tenting. Overall, some cost estimates might assist you in planning a fumigation to see if it is feasible within your budget. Termite tenting is estimated to cost between $1,000 and $2,500, based on estimates found on various websites. This implies that you’ll be charged between $10 and $20 each linear foot. The expense of termite tenting may appear to be prohibitively expensive.

Request a Quote Locate a Pest Control Company in Your Area We’ve worked with Networx to make it easier for you to identify local pest control technicians.

Pest Control can be found.

Tips From the Pros

What better way to get knowledge about a subject than to hear it straight from the source? Here are some water damage repair professionals who can assist you better grasp the situation you’re in right now. ” Another key element to remember is to remove any and all food and perishable items from the house, as well as any plants and pets. Anything organic will be harmed by the chemicals released during the fogging process, so it is necessary to remove it before the process begins. You may also cut down any trees and bushes that are close to your windows and outside walls to make the procedure simpler for the pest control technicians.

Termite Tenting FAQ

The following are some of the most commonly asked questions concerning termite tenting and fumigation that we get. Please see the following link for Frequently Asked Questions.

Will termite tenting kill all termites in and around my home?

It is possible to kill all drywood termites that live in and consume wood by using termite tenting, however it is not possible to kill subterranean termites (soil-dwelling termites).

At the time of inspection, your pest treatment professional will be able to determine the type of termites you have on your property.

Does termite tenting kill other pests?

Termite tenting may be effective against some other pests, but it is not considered effective against pests such as roaches, spiders, and ants. If you’re dealing with more than one type of pest, your pest control specialist will advise you on the most effective course of action to take.

How long do I have to wait before re-entering my home after tenting?

After fumigation, you should expect to wait 3 to 5 days on average. This provides ample time for the house to air out and decreases the quantity of gas remaining in the air to less than one part per million, which is acceptable. It also allows the gas to have enough time to completely eliminate the termite colony. When you return, there may still be a few live termites in the area, but they will have died within a few days of your arrival.

Will termite tenting kill termite eggs?

No, not in the traditional sense. Vikane is the most commonly used fumigant in termite tenting, despite the fact that it is not an ovicide (it does not kill eggs). While it does not directly destroy eggs, it does kill freshly hatched termites, which may continue to hatch for a few days after the fumigation is completed. The freshly hatched termites will perish if they do not receive care from the colony’s worker termites throughout their first year.

Should I cover my mattresses and furniture with plastic during tenting?

It may seem counterintuitive, but you should avoid covering any of your furniture with plastic prior to tenting in order to save space. It takes longer to re-enter your home when there is a lot of plastic in the house because it slows down the ventilation process.

If I see termite droppings after tenting, does this indicate reinfestation?

This is not always the case. There will be termite droppings in the termite tunnels even after the termites have been exterminated because of their feeding on wood. Regular activity in the home might shake these droppings out of the termite tunnels, bringing them to the surface and allowing you to see them. The tunnels dug by the exterminated colony, on the other hand, have survived the fumigation process. In this case, it is likely that a second colony may come in and re-infest your residence.

Will termite tenting kill the plants directly outside my home?

Because the gas used in fumigation is harmful, if you have plants within 18 inches of your home (where the tent will stretch), you should relocate or cut them before the fumigation takes place. Additional watering of plants and grass within an 18-inch perimeter around your home with lots of water can aid in the long-term health of your lawn and plants as well as their recovery from the fumigation. As an added bonus, it will prevent leaks at the tent’s bottom.

Is termite tenting safe?

However, termite tenting is quite safe when carried out under the right conditions, although it is not without its risks. As a precaution, if you have a natural gas appliance in your house, you should have it temporarily turned off throughout the fumigation process. This is because some fumigants are combustible. If your home is not properly ventilated, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, and irritation of the eyes or lungs.

Keep in mind to strictly adhere to the instructions provided by your pest control company and to avoid entering the house during the tenting process for any reason.

Should You Use Termite Tenting?

Terminate tenting is one of the most effective methods of eliminating unwanted pests, but it is not the most appropriate solution for everyone. If you are sensitive to pesticides or have a limited amount of time to spend away from your house, look into alternative pest control methods. On the other hand, if you are able to adhere to the severe standards that are associated with termite tenting, it may be the most successful method of treating your property. To learn more, fill out our contact form and we’ll put you in touch with a local pest control professional.

You Might Also like:
  • A review of Orkin Pest Control
  • A discussion of the need of termite inspections
  • And a discussion of Terminix Pest Control.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *