How to prepare your property for termite fumigation: a step-by-step guide

Preparing Your Home for Termite Fumigation

Discovering a termite infestation can be a homeowner's nightmare. When drywood termites have burrowed deep into your property's structure, fumigation may be the only solution to completely eradicate these destructive pests. While highly effective, fumigation requires careful preparation to ensure your safety and the success of the treatment.

In this blog, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to prepare your home for termite fumigation, covering everything from protecting personal belongings to ensuring the process runs smoothly. By following these steps, you can help safeguard your property and possessions while ridding your home of these unwanted invaders once and for all.

What are the steps for preparing a property?

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the steps home and property owners need to take immediately before and after fumigation.

1. Arrange for accommodation

The first thing to do is arrange accommodation. The property must be vacated by humans, animals, and plants for the entire duration of the fumigation process, which can take 2 to 5 days depending on the size of the structure and the extent of the termite infestation. The pest control company will give you a schedule in advance so you can make plans.

Do not return or go close to the property until the fumigation company confirms that the house is safe to re-enter. The fumigation team will perform clearance testing and declare the building safe when the fumigant has decreased to 1ppm in every room.

2. Protect or remove food, medications, and consumables

All food and consumable items, including those in the refrigerator and freezer, must be either removed from the building or properly sealed in special airtight bags (Nylofume bags) which will be provided by the fumigation company. This includes:

• Opened food packages and containers
• Unopened food and consumables in permeable packaging such as cardboard, plastic, or paper
• Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and tobacco

Unopened canned goods, glass jars, and bottles with factory seals do not need to be bagged or removed.

3. Protect animals and plants

All pets, including mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds must be removed from the property and accommodation arranged. Their food should also be removed or sealed in Nylofume bags, and pet bowls emptied.

Plants are also susceptible to sulfuryl fluoride gas, and all indoor plants and potted plants near the building should be removed from the vicinity.

4. Turn off the gas supply and appliances

Arrange with your gas supplier to turn off the gas at the mains before fumigation begins. Gas safety regulations require only utility company employees or licensed contractors to do this. They will require a “Certificate for Re-entry” from your fumigator before they will enter the property to turn it on again.

Unplug electrical appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, toasters, microwaves, and electronic devices to reduce fire risks.

5. Prepare the interior

5. Prepare the interior

The home or property owner can help the fumigant gas circulate throughout the building more efficiently and reach inside furnishings:

• Open doors and drawers: Open drawers and doors of rooms, cupboards, cabinets, closets, crawl spaces, the attic, and basement.

• Bedding and mattresses: The waterproof covers on mattresses and pillows must be removed or opened to allow the fumigant to penetrate. Bedsheets and linens should also be removed if they are not in sealed plastic bags.

6. Secure valuable items

Remove jewellery, cash, important documents, or other valuables from the property, or lock them in a safe.

7. Exterior preparation

The exterior of the building needs to be prepared for the fumigation process:

• Trim plants: Shrubs, trees, and vines near the building must be trimmed back at least 12–18 inches from the walls to prevent damage to the fumigation tarps and allow a proper seal.
• Move outdoor furniture and decorations: Move patio furniture, potted plants, and other items away from the building to avoid them getting in the way of the tarping process.
• Vehicles: Remove vehicles from garages and driveways. If the garage is fumigated, remove any food, plants, and pets as well.
• Windows and exterior doors: Make sure all exterior doors and windows close properly to help create a tight seal when the fumigation is in progress.

9. Final inspection

Ensure all doors and windows are closed and locked before leaving the property and hand the keys to the fumigator. The fumigation team will usually conduct a final walkthrough with the homeowner before starting the process to confirm that all necessary precautions have been taken.

10. Post-fumigation re-entry

Once your home or property has been cleared for re-entry, there are several actions you can take while you re-occupy it:

• Turn on electrical devices: Turn on the fridge and freezer so they reach operating temperature as soon as possible, along with any other electrical devices that need to be on all the time.
• Aerate: Air out the property further by opening windows, running fans, and squeezing cushions and bedding to remove residual fumigant. The level of fumigant—less than 1 ppm—will be much lower than concentrations known to cause no harm in tests with animals, but you can do this for peace of mind.
• Wipe down surfaces: The fumigant gas leaves no residue on surfaces, but some dust could enter the house from outside during the aeration process, so you may want to wipe down surfaces before replacing all the goods that were removed.
• Put everything back: Finally, you can restock your home with the food, medications, plants, pets, and other items that you had packed away.

Conclusion

By meticulously following these preparation steps and working closely with your fumigation company, you can maximize the effectiveness and safety of the treatment, ensuring a smooth process and a pest-free environment upon your return.