Do I Need to Do Anything to Prepare my House to be Fumigated?

Structural fumigation is a big undertaking that is done in response to a major infestation. It can be necessary for a variety of infestation types such as termites and bed bugs. Both of these pests are known for being difficult to eradicate and there are times when structural fumigation is the only option. If there is another type of pest infestation that has grown into a severe problem then fumigation may also be necessary. No matter the reason behind requiring this type of intervention, there are some things you need to do to prepare your house to be fumigated.

Remove anything that is living from your home

When you have your home sprayed for pests you generally do not have to remove things like your plants and fish. Fumigation is a different story. The first reason you need to remove any plants or pets from the premises is that you will be out of your home for an extended period of time. Structural fumigation can take a few days to complete so you cannot leave anything in the house that requires consistent attention. The second reason you need to remove all living things from your home is that the fumes associated with structural fumigation should not be breathed in by humans or pets. This means that you will have to make lodging arrangements for you and your pets for the duration of the fumigation process.

Protect the perishable food in the house

As mentioned before, fumigation takes time so you need to remove any food that will expire during the time frame of the treatment. The best option is to simply remove any perishable food inside your home so there is no possibility of exposure. If you are unable to remove the food from the house then you need to bag it in order to protect it while your home is fumigated. Talk with your exterminator and bag all of the food according to his instructions. There are bags designed specifically for this purpose and you may be able to obtain them through your exterminator. This requirement does not only apply to the fresh fruit on your counter or the bread in your pantry. It also relates to items you may not have thought about such as medicine, pet food, dry spices, and ice cubes.

Coordinate with the exterminator

Work closely with your pest control company to make sure you have adequately prepared your home for fumigation. Look on their website for additional resources on exactly what you need to do in order to be ready. You also need to discuss logistics with your exterminator. You have to coordinate a time to provide them with access to your home. In addition, you need to find out exactly how long you have to stay out of the house so you can make proper lodging arrangements.

Preparing your house for fumigation does not have to be overwhelming. Take these suggestions and make a plan that allows you to get everything done on time so you do not have to rush around at the last minute.