Fumigation treats a whole building in one go. The structure is sealed under tarps and filled with a gas that works its way through walls, furniture and every item inside. It is the most complete bed bug method and is saved for infestations that have spread widely.
Signs It Might Be Needed
- Bed bugs have reached most rooms of the house.
- Heat or chemical treatment has already failed.
- There are too many belongings to treat item by item.
- A small building needs every unit done at the same time.
How Structural Fumigation Works in California
- PlanThe building is measured and you get a list of what to bag or take out.
- TentTarps seal the structure and warning signs are posted.
- FumigateA licensed fumigator releases the gas for the required period.
- ClearThe tarps come down, the building airs out and the air is tested.
Fumigation and Richmond Buildings
Tenting is a familiar sight in Bay Area neighborhoods because of drywood termite work, and bed bug fumigation uses a similar process. It fits detached houses and small multiunit buildings with a heavy spread, but it takes planning with tenants and neighbors. Condos in a large complex are rarely tented unit by unit, so ask us why tenting beats heat or chemicals in your case.
How to Prepare
- Take out groceries, pills and pet food, or double bag them in the special bags the fumigator hands you.
- Line up somewhere to stay for 2 to 3 nights for the family and the pets.
- Water plants along the foundation and cut back branches touching the walls.
- Make sure the crew can reach every side of the building.
Questions About Fumigation
When can my family move back in?
Only after the licensed fumigator airs out the structure and tests the air. They give the all clear once readings are safe.
Does tenting prevent bed bugs from coming back?
No. Fumigant gas has no lasting effect once it airs out, so a bug that rides in on a bag next month can start over. A residual treatment can be added afterward if your plan needs one.
What happens when you reach out: Bed Bug Control CA handles bed bug work from the first inspection to the final check. We book an inspection at your Richmond home at a time that suits you. The written quote comes first, and treatment follows on your go-ahead.