Termites are destructive pests that can cause serious damage to homes. Termite infestations often require tenting, or fumigating, to fully eliminate the termites and prevent ongoing damage. But how often is tenting necessary? Here is a look at the factors that determine how frequently tenting is needed for termite control.
What is Tenting for Termites?
Tenting, also called fumigation, involves sealing up the home or building and filling it with a lethal gas to kill termites. The most common fumigant used is Vikane gas, which is odorless and disperses well to penetrate throughout the structure. Tenting requires all occupants and pets to vacate the building for 2-3 days to ensure the gas dissipates fully before it’s safe to re-enter. It is an intensive process but is extremely effective at killing all stages of termites in infested areas.
When is Tenting Necessary?
There are a few situations when tenting is considered the best or only option for eliminating a termite infestation:
- When there is a widespread infestation throughout a home or building.
- When termites are found inside wood framing, walls, and other inaccessible areas.
- When there is a severe infestation of Formosan termites, an aggressive subterranean species.
- When years of damage have allowed termites to infest deep inside wood structures.
- As a precaution before renovating or rebuilding in an infested home.
In these situations where termites have extensively infiltrated wood materials, spot treatments and baits may not reach them all. Tenting provides whole-structure fumigation that leaves no termite alive.
How Often is Tenting Recommended?
For most homes and light termite infestations, tenting is only needed every 5-7 years on average. However, there are several variables that determine tenting frequency:
Type of Termites
The species of termites present will influence how often tenting is required:
- Subterranean termites – Found across the U.S., these termites tunnel underground to access wood structures and swarm seasonally. Tenting may be needed every 5-10 years.
- Drywood termites – Living inside wood with no soil contact, they can be harder to fully eliminate. Tenting every 3-5 years is common.
- Dampwood termites – In humid climates, dampwoods damage wood with excessive moisture. Frequent tenting may be needed.
- Formosan termites – Considered the most destructive species. Difficult to control and requires vigilant tenting every 1-5 years where they are located.
Extent of Infestation
Homes with greater structural damage and more widespread termite presence often need more frequent tenting. If termites are throughout the walls or wood framework, tenting every 3-5 years may be recommended. For minor limited infestations, 7-10 years between treatments may suffice.
Preventative Treatments
Using preventative termite treatments can allow longer intervals between tenting. Treated soil barriers, wood treatments, and baits help reduce the frequency of major infestations taking hold that would require fumigation.
Environmental Factors
Climates that are consistently warm, humid, and conducive to termites may require tenting at shorter intervals. Dry environments where termites have difficulty establishing substantial colonies may allow tenting every 7-10 years.
Signs It’s Time to Tent for Termites
Some key signs that tenting should be scheduled include:
- Visible termite swarmers emerging inside the home.
- Catching termites in monitors and bait stations.
- Observing shelter tubes on foundation walls or wood surfaces.
- Seeing damaged wood or signs of mud tunnels.
- An inspector confirming difficult-to-reach areas are infested.
- Getting ready to remodel in a home with previous infestation.
Relying on annual inspections to determine if tenting is needed for a current infestation. Tenting should be considered whenever termite presence and activity indicates a full-structure fumigation is the best option.
Preparing for Tenting Treatment
Proper preparation is crucial for an effective tenting process. Here are some key steps to take before tenting your home for termites:
- Schedule tenting at least 2-3 months in advance to accommodate required time frames.
- Notify all occupants of the home to coordinate vacating for treatment.
- Remove pets, plants, food, and medications prior to tenting.
- Work with the pest control company on safety precautions like covering aquariums.
- Remove items that may be damaged by tenting from around vents and walls.
- Cover sensitive surfaces, fabrics, and belongings thoroughly.
- Schedule fumigation tent installation when all occupants and pets can vacate.
Proper planning ensures the process goes smoothly and belongings are protected.
After Tenting: Aeration and Returning Home
Once fumigation is complete, aeration time is needed to completely ventilate the building and make it safe for re-entry. This process takes 12-72 hours depending on the size of the structure.
The pest control company will use blowers and open vents to circulate fresh air through the home after tenting. Testing is then done to verify the gas concentration is below the safe re-entry threshold.
Only once the home has been fully aerated and certified safe can the tenting company remove the covers and seals and allow occupants back inside. It’s important not to enter prematurely to avoid unsafe exposure to any remaining fumigant gas.
Cost of Tenting for Termite Fumigation
The cost of tenting to eliminate termites depends on multiple factors:
- Size of the home or building being treated.
- Type of foundation construction.
- Accessibility of crawl spaces and basements.
- Extent of preparation needed.
- Amount of infestation and damage.
- Local rates and additional services.
On average, tenting costs $1,500 to $3,500 for most single family homes. Costs for multi-family units and large buildings may run from $4,000 to $15,000 or more depending on their size. Get quotes from certified pest control companies to determine the specific cost for your property.
Cost Comparison of Termite Treatments
| Treatment Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tenting | $1,500 – $3,500 per treatment (every 5-10 years) |
| Spot treatments | $500 – $1,500 annually |
| Bait systems | $1,500+ installation, $250 annual monitoring |
| Preventative sprays | $500 – $1,500 per application |
While tenting has higher upfront costs, it often requires fewer lifetime applications compared to non-fumigation treatments. This makes it very cost-effective long-term.
Tenting Risks and Safety
While extremely effective, tenting does carry some risks that are important to note:
- The chemicals used for fumigation are highly poisonous prior to aeration. Residents must fully vacate the premises during treatment.
- Some risk exists of fire, overexposure, or other dangers if safety procedures aren’t followed.
- Older homes may have lingering chemical residue in wood and materials.
- Tenting cannot be done in extreme weather conditions or temperatures.
- Surrounding homes require temporary vacating during fumigation.
Always hire reputable professionals certified in safe Vikane tenting procedures. When done properly, risks are minimized and tenting can be accomplished with no long term hazard.
Alternatives to Tenting for Termites
For moderate or limited termite infestations, alternatives to tenting include:
Spot Treatments
Applying targeted pesticide sprays and dusts into known infested sites. Effective for killing termites in those locations only.
Bait Systems
Installing termite bait stations for colonies to consume slowly. Reduces termite numbers without extensive chemical use.
Wood Treatments
Coating vulnerable woods with borate or spraying framing with Termidor provides preventative protection from termites.
Barriers
Creating treated soil or sand barriers under and around the home’s foundation to block termites from structures.
However, tenting remains the most thorough option when whole-structure fumigation is needed to eliminate heavy infestations.
Preventing Termites from Necessitating Frequent Tenting
Preventative measures can reduce tenting frequency by limiting termite infestations in a home. Recommended steps include:
- Installing termite-resistant building materials during construction.
- Maintaining proper moisture and ventilation in susceptible areas.
- Avoiding wood-to-soil contact vulnerable to termites.
- Applying pre-treatments to soil during construction.
- Sealing cracks, moisture entry points, and potential access routes.
- Scheduling regular professional inspections.
- Using monitoring stations and baits where appropriate.
Early detection and preventative care make major termite infestations less likely. This means less frequent need for intensive tenting down the road.
Working with a Professional Exterminator
Fumigation tenting requires specialized expertise, safety protocols, and handling of restricted-use fumigants. Only licensed professionals should perform termite tenting.
When tenting is needed, contact a qualified pest control company. Look for:
- A longstanding local reputation for quality and safety.
- Staff with extensive termite and tent fumigation experience.
- Rigorous training on Vikane use and tenting procedures.
- Compliance with all state and federal regulations.
- Liability insurance and worker’s comp coverage.
- Membership in industry organizations.
Schedule an inspection and get a thorough tenting proposal for your situation. Reputable companies will aim to limit costs while providing effective termite elimination.
Conclusion
Tenting, or fumigating, provides the most complete termite treatment when infestations are severe or widespread within a structure. While costly, full tenting is very effective when required. By considering the type of termites present, the extent of damage, prevention measures used, and environmental factors, you can determine a reasonable tenting frequency that balances effectiveness with cost.
Most homes require tenting every 5-10 years on average. But heavily infested structures may need it as often as every 1-3 years. Relying on a professional inspection and assessment of current termite activity will help identify when tent fumigation is truly warranted.
With proper safety precautions for occupants and the home, tenting can eliminate even the most severe termite infestations. Used appropriately and in combination with preventative care, tent fumigation is a valuable tool to protect wood structures from termite damage over the long run.