Everything to Know About Termite Tenting

When I lived in southern Florida, houses wrapped in colorful termite fumigation tents were a common sight. However, termite problems are not just limited to the Sunshine state.

Termites thrive in warm climates across the U.S., and if you get an infestation in your home, they can seriously damage wooden beams and floors.

If you have termites and are considering getting your home tented, here’s what to know about the process.

What Is Termite Tenting?

Termite tenting is a method for exterminating drywood termites and other wood-destroying insects. It involves placing a tent or tarps over a home and then releasing gas fumigants into the structure. “Structural fumigation is recommended for severe, widespread, partly inaccessible and or difficult to locate drywood termite infestations,” says Glen Ramsey, an entomologist with Orkin.

How Does Termite Tenting Work?

Tarps are fastened together to create an airtight tent. That tent is then filled with gas fumigants that kill termites. The tarps are then removed so the fumes can aerate out before people return to the home.

How Much Does Termite Tenting Cost?

The cost of termite tenting depends on the size and complexity of the structure and the geographical location. Still, it will certainly be in the thousands, says Patricia Hottel, a board-certified entomologist and manager of technical services at Terminix.

“There is extensive labor time and effort involved in constructing and sealing the structure along with the cost of the fumigant,” says Hottel. “In some situations, specialized lifts may be needed to move the tarps onto the structure. This all adds to the cost of the treatment.”

How to Prepare for Termite Tenting

Most importantly, all people, pets and plants need to be out of the building, but there’s a lot of other prep work as well. Your termite control company will let you know specifics, but typically, you’ll need to:

• Remove all food and medicines, including pet food, that are not in plastic, glass or metal containers with their original airtight seals intact, or double-bag them in special nylon bags provided by the fumigator.
• Remove any dry goods that are stored in bags or cardboard boxes, or place them in fumigation bags, even if they’re unopened.
• Remove plastic covers from mattresses, chairs and sofas, or remove those pieces of furniture from the house.
• Remove all indoor plants, as well as any outdoor ones that will end up under the fumigation tent.
• Trim shrubbery around the house to allow space for the tent.
• Have the gas company turn off the gas line the day before the tent will be set up.
• Water the house’s perimeter to around a six-inch depth to help protect nearby plants.

How Long Does Termite Tenting Take?

The actual treatment usually takes 24 hours or less. But the entire termite tenting process, from preparation to treatment to aeration, typically takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the size of the house, says Ramsey. Heavy rain or winds can also cause delays.

How long to stay out of the house after termite tenting?

You’ll have to stay elsewhere for several days after termite tenting, until all of the fumigant is out of your home. The pest control expert will use a fumigant monitor to determine when it’s safe to re-enter.

How Often Should You Tent for Termites?

How often you should tent for termites depends on how common termites are in your area.

“Southern Florida, for example, has greater drywood activity than northern Florida, although drywood termite infestations are possible in both parts of the state,” says Hottel. “It is important to note that the fumigation will only kill the target pests present at the time of the fumigation.” That means tenting a house is not a way to prevent termites, so it’s also important to have annual inspections to promptly find signs of termites.

Is Termite Tenting Right for Me?

Smaller infestations can often be treated with chemical injections into the wood or with localized heat treatments, says Ramsey. But for larger ones, fumigation with tenting is often the only viable option.

“The pest management industry is continually seeking alternatives to fumigation; however, at this time, fumigation remains an effective method for whole house treatment,” says Hottel.

Can You DIY Termite Tenting?

No, you can’t DIY termite tenting because training and licensing are required to purchase and use fumigants. “Fumigating for termites uses specialized products that, if used incorrectly, can cause great danger,” says Ramsey. “Certified termite experts go through extensive training to ensure this type of treatment is done correctly and safely.”

FAQ

Does termite tenting kill other bugs?

Yes, termite tenting can also kill household pests, including cockroaches, bedbugs, wood-boring beetles and ants. “However, its effectiveness can vary based on the pest’s lifecycle and the concentration of the fumigant,” says Ramsey. “For comprehensive pest management, additional targeted control methods may be needed to address various pests effectively.”

Does termite tenting kill rats?

Yes, termite tenting will kill rats that are in the home at the time of fumigation. However, once the fumigation is over, rats entering the structure will not be affected, so it’s important to also have a prevention plan in place.

How does tenting for termites affect neighbors?

If it’s done correctly, tenting should not affect your neighbors at all. Prior to fumigation, the company will check to make sure neighboring structures are not connected in ways that might allow the fumigant to move into them. Then, they will monitor the exterior during fumigation to ensure excessive gas isn’t leaking out of the seals. Also, the tent will contain the termites, so they don’t flee into your neighbor’s home.

“However, if your neighbor has termites, you might also be at risk to get termites if the infestation is not dealt with properly and quickly,” says Ramsey.

About the Experts

• Glen Ramsey is Director of Technical Services for Rollins, Inc., which is an entomology team that supports Orkin. He has more than 15 years of experience in entomology and pest management and a passion for sharing his love of insects, in particular subterranean termites, with the world.
• Patricia Hottel is an entomologist and Manager of Technical Services at Terminix. She has more than 45 years of pest control experience, providing field support through training initiatives, answering regulatory questions, writing service procedures and investigating new products and pest-control strategies.

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