#termite fumigation

When you inform yourself about termites’ habits, you will become better-equipped to deal with these destructive pests. Within the termite order Isoptera, there is a great diversity in species. For practical purposes, though, termites can be grouped into three categories based on what they eat and where they live: subterranean termites, dampwood termites, and drywood termites.

Termite Characteristics by Group

In general, drywood termites are bigger than their subterranean relatives. Dampwood termites, caramel brown in color, are wider than other species. Subterranean termites build tunnels from mud. They carve out chambers in these tunnels where they stay when not searching for food. These tunnels lead to the termites’ food source and help air to circulate throughout the structure. Drywood termites, though, live in the very wood they eat. If they live in your house, they are chewing their way through your home’s wooden structures. For that reason, it is important to eradicate termite populations before they do a great deal of damage to your home.

Termites’ Role in Nature

Termites actually play a useful role in their proper habitat. They eat dead wood, releasing the material’s nutrients back into the soil with the aid of digestive bacteria that live in their gut. Trees and other plants need those nutrients to grow.

How To Determine If Your Home Has a Termite Infestation

When termites swarm, you’ll be able to see them. They’ll crowd around doors and windows, getting ready to create new colonies. When they’re not swarming, though, they hide inside your home’s wood. There are other ways, however, that you can tell that your home has a termite infestation. If you see termite droppings—called frass—where two boards are joined together, that indicates that your home is playing host to a termite colony. Also, you may notice small holes—about one to two millimeters in diameter—in your home’s wood and sheetrock. Those holes are a good indication that your home is infested with termites.

Call Your Pest Control Professionals

Evicting termites is a job for professionals. Your local pest control professional will first inspect your home to identify whether your home has an infestation. If they do find that your home is infested, they will identify the type of termites and create a plan to eradicate the infestation. After the termites are gone, they will provide you and your family with a preventative program that can keep them out of your home permanently.

Home Owners

Your home is your most important investment you'll ever have. Take the appropriate steps to ensure that your home fumigation and protecting your personal belongings.

Food, feed, drugs, and medicines

Double-bag previously opened food items and seal them tightly.  Leave items in the home.

Any food, and drugs that still have the original manufacturer’s seal can stay in the home and do not need to be double-bagged.

Unopened drinks, condiments etc .. can remain in the house during fumigation, as long as original seal is not broken. Note: Place all wine bottles horizontally (on their side).

Dental products (toothpaste, mouthwash, adhesives, and whitening products), cosmetics (lipstick, all externally applied lotions and ointments, ice and water), do not need to be removed or sealed in Nylofume bags prior to tenting .

Sealing bags properly - Protect Your Property

Seal both the inner and outer bags. 

Double-up the bags before you fill them, by putting one inside the other.

Seal both the inner and outer bags after they are full. Starting with the inner bag, twist the top, double it over, and secure with tape or a twist tie. Repeat this procedure with the outer bag. Your fumigator can provide special bags and instructions on how to use them. 

Preparing the rest of the house

Give your keys to the home to the  fumigator.

Remove or open waterproof covers on mattresses and pillows.

Open all doors and drawers to cabinets, closets, and appliances.

Open blinds and drapes in your home so the fumigator for easy access to windows.

Shut off gas in your home.  

Remove pets and interior houseplants from your home.

Give the fumigator keys to your home.

Outside Your Home

Cut back any plants and shrubs, and rake back gravel or mulch closer than 18 inches to the house. The fumigator will seal the tents directly to the ground with water- or sand-filled snakes. Your professional fumigator will work with you to decide what to do about any fencing or awnings surrounding the home.