What do I need to do to prepare for the fumigation?
It is your responsibility to prepare your home for the fumigation. Taking the following steps prior to fumigation helps ensure its success, resulting in the elimination of drywood termites from your home.
What to bag or remove
Ask your inspector to help you determine additional items that need to be double-bagged or removed prior to fumigation. A good rule of thumb is, “when in doubt, take it out.” Here are some examples.
Double-bag or remove these items:
- Chips, pasta, rice, and other foods packaged in plastic bags
- Cereals, crackers and other foods packaged in cardboard boxes (even if the boxes have never been opened)
- Spices, salts and pepper shakers, and other items where the seal has been broken.
- Eggs
- Ice, opened bottled drinking water
- Butter, cream cheese and any other items stored in a resealed container, including items stored in Tupperware containers
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Bags of pet food and bird seed, as well as opened cans
You need not bag or remove these items:
- Unopened cans (including home-canned goods)
- Cosmetics, such as lipstick
- Unopened soda cans and glass bottles
- Shampoo, soaps and unopened toothpaste and mouthwash
- Unopened bottles of liquor and wine (stored horizontally)
Days before the fumigation.
- Cut back foliage, shrubbery and landscaping at least 18 inches from the structure to allow room for the tarps.
- Pull back ground cover, mulch, gravel or any loose dirt 12-18 inches from the structure to help the fumigation crew to get a tight seal on your structure.
- Remember to make arrangements for overnight accommodations for you and your pets.
- Please keep in mind the fumigation may need to be rescheduled if the weather is bad or unsafe to work in. High winds and rain may prevent a fumigation and cause potential danger to fumigators.
- Try not to purchase extra food from the groceries store, the more you have the more you will need to bag or remove.
- Call the gas company to arrange an appointment to restore gas service, this must be done by the homeowner.
- The Gas Company requires that the homeowner or agent be present at the time of service restoration and that they show proof that the structure is safe for re-entry. The re-entry notice we post on the front door will suffice, so make sure you keep that notice to show to the Gas Company Representative.
The day before the fumigation.
- Water the soil up to 18 inches from the outer walls of your home to protect outdoor plants and shrubs.
- Remove or double-bag and food, feed, drugs and medicines in special Nylofume * bags your inspector provides. You do not need to bag or remove items in plastic, glass or metal bottles, can or jars with the original manufacture’s airtight seal intact (see below)
- Seal the Nylofume bags one at a time by twisting the tops, or folding down and sealing with tape, twisty ties, string or rubber bands. DO NOT TIE BAGS IN A KNOT. Your inspector will provide special instructions on proper bagging procedures for you.
- Double-bag cold or frozen foods and leave them in the refrigerator and freezer. Remove shelves from the refrigerator and freezer to make it easier to stack the bags inside.
- Be sure to remove or double-bag anything that will be ingested (medicine, spices, etc.)
The day of the fumigation.
- Gas Company Representative shuts off gas service. Please make sure they have access to gas meter (no locked gates, dogs, etc.) If the gas company cannot access the meter, this may delay your fumigation. Our staff gets the gas turned off, but it is YOUR responsibility to get an appointment to get it turned back on the day it is cleared.
- Remove all plants from your home, including those on outdoor patios
- Evacuate all people and pets from the structure
- Remove mattresses completely enveloped in plastic, such as baby mattresses with water proof covers, or remove the covers themselves.
After the fumigation.
Meet with Gas Company to restore service.
It is not necessary to wash dishes, linens, clothing, etc., as both Vikane® and Master Fume® are gases and will dissipate from the structure.
Once your fumigation is complete, your home is warrantied with a four year warranty, every drywood termite should be eliminated.
If you have any questions about how to prepare your home for a fumigation, please contact your inspector at Adios Pest Control and we will help you in every way possible.