You’ve been told you have drywood termites and your house needs termite fumigation. You’ve seen the huge tents. It looks scary. It sounds like a nightmare.
Take a breath. It’s a lot less stressful than you think.
Feeling better already? Good. Now let’s walk through exactly how to prepare for termite tenting.
Want a quick and easy prep list in to-do list style?
Download and print our handy fumigation preparation checklist:
Think of prep like packing for a weekend trip, but with a couple extra steps.
Here’s what to do before the tent goes up:
Typical appointment times are in four hour blocks.
Example of termite fumigation notice for re-entry.
Special note: A giant, immovable fish tank poses a unique challenge during termite fumigation. To protect your fish, contact your fumigation company immediately to discuss solutions, such as sealing the tank with gas-resistant materials or relocating the fish to a temporary tank off-site.
Furry friends: notify your neighbors ahead of time, especially those with cats. Image source: freepik
We provide up to 20 Nylofume bags at no charge (some companies charge extra).
Items must be double-bagged (one Nylofume bag inside another) to ensure protection from gas. You can typically fit:
Special note: Try to hold off on stocking up before your fumigation. The less food you have, the less you’ll need to bag or take out of the house. Cold and frozen items can stay in your fridge or freezer as long as they’re sealed in Nylofume bags. For easier stacking, you may want to pull out a few shelves.
And remember: Nylofume bags are only for food, medicine, and similar items.
Always double-bag items using Nylofume bags.
Fumigation Prep in the Kitchen: Open all cabinets, drawers, and closets so the fumigant can circulate
Exterior Prep: Trim back trees, shrubs, or vines at least 12 inches from the structure.
It typically takes several hours, depending on the size of the property and the extent of preparation needed. But make sure you understand everything you’ll need to do and give yourself more than enough time to handle all the prep.
Larger homes with more rooms, cabinets, and items take longer to prepare. Homes with more belongings require more time to organize or bag items.
Think of this as getting ready for a short trip. A little prep makes the process smooth and stress-free.
Want a quick and easy prep list in to-do list style?
Download and print our handy fumigation preparation checklist:
When fumigation day arrives, here’s what to do before the crew gets started:
When you come back, you’ll be able to breathe easy in a happy, healthy home:
Unlike sprays or liquids, the fumigant gas leaves no residue on your furniture, clothing, dishes, or countertops.
That means:
Of course, if you want to do a little freshening up for peace of mind, go for it, but it’s not required.
It’s totally understandable to feel uneasy about skipping a deep clean after termite fumigation. That nervousness comes from the invisible nature of the gas and the stakes of ensuring your home is safe, but rest assured, the post-fumigation testing process is designed to eliminate those worries.
The reason you don’t need to scrub down every surface is that the fumigant is a true gas, not a liquid or spray that sticks around. Once the fumigation is done and your home is properly aerated, it disperses completely, leaving no trace on bedding, dishes, or countertops. Our professional fumigators use precise tools to confirm gas levels drop below the EPA’s safe threshold of 1 ppm before you re-enter, ensuring your home is as safe as it was before.
Our sage advice: save the deep cleaning for spring. After fumigation, just unpack your bags, let the pets back in, and enjoy a home that’s truly termite-free.
Check out our timelapse video of a termite tent’s installation and removal.
Here in Palo Alto and across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, we see two main culprits:
If you’ve been told your house needs “tenting,” that means drywood termites are the problem. Localized termite treatments can help in minor cases, but fumigation is the only way to eliminate an infestation across the entire structure. Think of it as hitting the reset button on your home.
And you’re not alone. Drywood termites are a big problem. Around 100,000 homes get tented for fumigation in California every year. Tenting is the go-to solution for serious infestations because it’s so effective.
Here’s how a typical fumigation plays out from your first call to completion:
If fumigation is started on a Monday, you can likely be back in your home by Wednesday evening. So pack a small bag, stay with friends, family, or a hotel, and you’ll be happy when you return to a termite-free home.
We’ve helped Palo Alto families prepare their iconic Eichler homes for termite fumigation, restored historic mid-century properties in Redwood City, and treated spacious single-family homes in Sunnyvale and San Jose.
Here’s why Santa Clara and San Mateo County homeowners love us:
Getting the news that your home needs to be tented can feel overwhelming. But with the right preparation – and the right company – it’s just a few days away from a home that’s safe, sound, and termite-free.
No, your house won’t be ruined.
No, you don’t have to scrub down every fork and surface.
And no, you won’t be breathing in poison afterward.
It’s just a temporary step to protect your biggest investment.
