Termite tenting

Termite tenting or how it is also called the termite fumigation is the process that includes a complete coverage of a structure such as the house with a sealed, nylon tent, and after that filled with poisonous gas to get rid of drywood termites. The termites are dangerous because they feed on the wooden structure of the house, and if left as it is, the damage done weakens the structure. Termite tenting is one of the possible ways of dealing with termite infestation.

The process of termite tenting is expensive and required one to two days. However it is a known method of getting rid of the insects. During the time of the tenting the house is completely sealed off, therefore you need to make arrangements to stay at your friends’ place, with your family, or in the hotel. The fumigant agent, typically Vikane, or in other words sulfuryl fluoride is used. This termite spray is colorless, odorless, and it leaves no residue behind. If left for a long enough period of time, fumigant absorbs into the pours of the wood and kills termites.

As a part of preparation for the termite tenting any pets, fish tanks and bowls, as well as living plants need to be removed prior to the procedure. The fumigator service may sometimes provide bags to seal all the foods and medications, if the bags are not provided you still need to make sure that the items are tightly sealed. Such items as mattresses or pillows with waterproof covers may require special instruction. It may also be recommended to remove them from their covers or remove them from the house altogether.

Any plants and shrubs need to be cleared along the house perimeter to make sure the workers have a pathway and also to allow the tenting to reach the soil. The ground next to the house needs to be soaked in order to keep the damage of the gas away from the plants. Rooftop antennas, weather vanes and some chimney caps need to be taken down.

When the house is sealed shut, the lethal fumigant is pumped inside. Special fans inside the structure make sure that the gas spreads evenly and reached the affected area. The gas kills all the termites, including those that are hidden inside the walls. After some time, the tenting service removes the seal, airs out the structure and tests the air with special sensing instruments. When concluded that it is safe, the owners may return back.

However there are also drawbacks of the termite tenting, for instance, it does not prevent from new infestations. Once the house is safe for people to move back in, it is also sage for the termites. The tenting also does not get rid of the subterranean termites that may live in the foundation of the house, in the soil, or in lower extremities of the structure.

The effective way of dealing with the subterranean termites is using termite bait. The bait consists of the food for termites that is poisoned, and so when the termites feed on it they begin to slowly die.

Because the tenting includes the usage of poisonous gas, it should only be the last resort in dealing with the problem. In fact, environmentalists are not working on other non-hazardous methods of getting rid of termite infestation, such as freezing termites with liquid nitrogen or blast infected wood with radio waves.