The price quoted for fumigation may not include any preparation work as needed for fumigation. Often preparation is included with the fumigation price, however, if there is a large amount of work or specialized work needed there may be additional charges.   Preparation work is usually done  by our fumigator in conjunction with the fumigation.  Sometimes, if there is a lot of work needed or if  there are special or unusual conditions  it may be necessary for the owner to engage  a fumigation prep. specialist at additional cost;  arrangements must be made in advance. Preparation work may include, but is not limited to, the following: trim plants, trees, hedges, ground cover, etc. 12 inches away from building; remove all potted and indoor plants including any plants under the roof overhang and patio cover, remove TV antennas, detach drain pipes and fences; remove any loose ground cover (bark, gravel, ivy, etc).

Interior Preparation

Preparing for the fumigation involves removing plants and animals from the house, as well as removing many household items such as foods or medications (or sealing them in special nylofume bags). Furniture, linens, bedding, clothing, dishes, cookware,  etc., can all stay in the house and will not be affected by the fumigation.

• The fumigation process starts with preparing your home for fumigation. Once you’ve prepared your home and left, the fumigation crew will cover your home with sealed tarps  – this is called “tenting” the home.

• Once tented, a warning agent is released into the home as a precaution to ensure that all people have vacated.

• Next, all doors are secured using by locking them and using additional locking devices to prevent unauthorized entry.

• Now, fumigation begins – The gas fumigant is released into the home, filling all air spaces and voids in the wood, walls and floor. The fumigant reaches all of the termite colonies in the structure.

• Finally, the tarps are removed and your home is aerated. Your fumigation professional will check the home with sophisticated equipment to ensure all of the fumigant (gas) has dissipated and been aerated from the structure before authorizing re-entry.

• Our Fumigator will arrange with your local provider to have your gas service shut off, however, YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR GAS PROVIDER IN ADVANCE TO TURN ON THE GAS AND RE-LIGHT PILOT LIGHTS – WE CANNOT DO THIS FOR YOU.

What should I expect from a fumigation?

You will normally need to be out of your home for about two and a half days (Example: If a fumigation is started on Monday you can be back in by Wednesday evening). NOTE: In some cases (beetle fumigation and special cases) you may need to be out of your home for longer than two days.

Subterranean termites are a soil dwelling termites and treatment involves the application of the treatment product into the soil directly adjacent to the structure so that the termites will come into contact with the treatment material. This is accomplished by “trenching and treating” or drilling and injecting. Trenching and treating involves the digging a small trench about 4 inched wide by about 6 inches deep along the perimeter of the structure and applying liquid treatment material to the soil by filling the trench; allowing the treatment to soak into the soil, and then backfilling the trench. Drilling and injecting is required when concrete slabs (patios, porches, steps, garage slabs, etc) abut the structure. Subterranean termites will often emanate from the soil beneath the abutting slabs. In order to get the treatment material to the soil beneath the slab it is necessary to drill small holes ( ½” in diameter) through the abutting slabs about one foot apart along the exterior wall ; inject treatment material to soil beneath the slab and patch the holes.

If subterranean termites are found in subarea crawlspaces or basements, soil treatment in these areas will be necessary.

Concrete slab structures

Subterranean termite treatment in concrete slab structures can present special challenges. If subterranean termites are found in the interior of a concrete slab structure, it is possible that they may be gaining access through cracks or penetrations (plumbing, etc.) in the concrete floor slab. Often is difficult to determine where the termites are coming from since the slab is covered with finished flooring (hardwood, tile, carpet, etc.). Treatment may require drilling and injecting through the interior slab floor. This may also present special challenges in order to minimize or avoid damage to finished flooring. Another potential concern when drilling through slabs is the possibility of causing damage to radiant heat systems or other embedded utilities.

Drywood Termite Treatment

In general, there are two options for ridding your home of Drywood Termites:

• Fumigation treatment of the entire structure

• “Local” treatment of known infested areas

Fumigation

Fumigation has traditionally been the best method for eliminating Drywood termites. Fumigation involves covering the entire structure with an airtight tarp, and introducing a gas “fumigant” into the structure. This fumigant has the ability to penetrate into all the wood to kill the termites hidden inside.

“Local” Treatments

Local treatment involves injecting a liquid or foam termiticide product into known visible and accessible infested areas. However, Drywood termites have small colonies, and there could be more than one colony in a structure. Local treatment of one area may not affect colonies in other areas. The termites construct “galleries”, or tunnels in the wood it is possible to inject Termiticide products into these tunnels only if the tunnels or tunnel openings can be located. Franz Termite Control uses several products, and they will definitely work well in the specific area(s) treated, but not as well as whole structure fumigation.

The choice to Fumigate or to do a local treatment is up to the homeowner. Some homes or buildings cannot be fumigated due to the type of construction or because they are attached or directly abut adjacent buildings.

Because of the limitations of local treatment, only a limited warranty is offered on local
treatments.