Alternatives to Tenting for Termite Control - Ecola Termite and Pest Control (2024)

Alternatives to Tenting for Termite Control - Ecola Termite and Pest Control (1)

Unlike most insects around your house, termites are dangerous pests that threaten the financial and emotional security of your home. According to the National Pest Management Association, the total spent nationally on repairing homes from termite damage is well over $5 billion. Tenting for termite control has long been the accepted and most effective method of exterminating termites, but natural and less toxic methods are gaining traction as people look for alternatives to using harmful chemicals.

What is Termite Tenting?

Tenting requires covering the entire home with a tent and using a gas that penetrates wood to kill the termites. The most common fumigant used is Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride), which is highly toxic and must be carefully administered. Homeowners need to remove their plants, protect food, board their pets, and find other accommodations for themselves for the three days required for this process.

Alternatives to Tenting

While fumigation is sometimes the only way to rid a house of an extensive infestation, most infestations are localized and allow for less toxic methods, especially when caught early.

Heat

The California Department of Consumer Affairs has endorsedheatas the only other effective, full-structure treatment for termite eradication. This method uses propane heaters to raise the temperature of the outdoor air to levels lethal to termites–between 120 to 130 degrees. Then, the heat is maintained for one to three hours. While this method doesn’t require homeowners to find other overnight accommodations, heat-sensitive belongings like computer equipment and other electronics, plants, and candles should be removed from the house.

Electro-Gun

This non-chemical treatment combines high frequencies and high voltage to penetrate the wood in your home with an electrical current. Theelectro-gun methodis ideal when your pest professional has indicated the source of termites is in one or several areas in your home, such as your attic or basem*nt.

Microwave

Microwaveis an effective method for localized, drywood termite infestations. This quick method directs microwaves at the infested area, penetrating the wood containing the termites. The microwaves turn to heat, almost instantly killing the termites.

Choosing the Right Termite Control Method

According to University of California, Berkeley professor Vernand Lewis, there are at least 50 termite species in North America, with 17 in California alone. It’s likely that any homeowner will encounter termites in their home at one time or another.To deal with them, the best place to start is with a termite inspection.Ecolaconducts a complete inspection of your property and then develops a solution that fits your situation. If you think you might have a termite problem, call Ecola at (800) 332-BUGS (2847) to learn more about natural termite control.

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By Ecola Termite and Pest Control | Posted on April 16, 2019

Alternatives to Tenting for Termite Control - Ecola Termite and Pest Control (2024)

FAQs

Alternatives to Tenting for Termite Control - Ecola Termite and Pest Control? ›

In fact, the California Department of Consumer Affairs states that Fumigation

Fumigation
Fumigation is a method of pest control or the removal of harmful microorganisms by completely filling an area with gaseous pesticides, or fumigants, to suffocate or poison the pests within.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Fumigation
and Heating of the entire house are the only options that ensure eradication in the entire structure.

What is the alternative to tenting? ›

Like heat treatment, liquid nitrogen treatment allows you to treat termites without tenting your entire home. Since you can't buy large amounts of liquid nitrogen, professionals should handle this treatment.

Can termites be eliminated without tenting? ›

Some professional pest control companies, such as Hulett Environmental Services, offer a no-tent termite treatment for drywood termites. This alternative to tenting involves a non-repellent liquid, foam, or dust that: Trained technicians inject advanced products directly into termite galleries.

Is it better to tent or spot treat for termites? ›

While spot treating your home may seem like a viable (and possibly DIY) option, tent fumigation is generally the better choice.

What is an alternate method for fumigation? ›

For hard-nonporous surfaces in a smaller footprint, hydrogen peroxide can be a cost-effective alternative to fumigation and can be used in many settings, such as hospitals and schools.. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs) are another form of chemical that is commonly used for disinfection.

What are the alternatives to fumigation? ›

Thermal Heat as an Effective Alternative

For single-family houses with isolated colonies, heat treatments can be just as effective as fumigation. You and your pets can also stay in your home while we apply this treatment; plus, you don't have to bag up any perishable foods.

Is tentless termite treatment effective? ›

It has been suggested that a tentless treatment may be less effective than tenting the entire house because it's easy for direct application to miss some spots of infestation. The termites in those untouched areas can do more damage to the house, re-infesting it and requiring additional treatment.

Do termites come back after tenting? ›

Termites are one of the hardest pests to control, owing to the fact that they live in soil or wood. In addition, they reproduce very fast, which means that some of them are missed during the treatment, they will re-populate in no time. The chances of drywood termites returning after tent fumigation are very small.

Is termite fumigation really necessary? ›

No. Fumigation is not always required for treating drywood termites and wood-boring beetles. Fumigation is an all-encompassing treatment in which the gases permeate the entire structure, eradicating both visible infestations and termites that are otherwise inaccessible.

What is the longest lasting termite treatment? ›

Liquid soil treatments for subterranean termites last around five years. Wood treatments can last five to ten years or more. Physical barriers such as stainless steel mesh last the longest, but they aren't always 100% effective.

What is the least toxic termite treatment? ›

Boric Acid Boric Acid is an effective, least-toxic termiticide.

What kills termites instantly? ›

Liquid termiticides disrupt the termite's nervous system or interfere with their ability to molt. This instant impact makes them a go-to choice for prompt termite elimination. Some pest control professionals rely on these practical solutions to halt termite damage in its tracks.

How to get rid of drywood termites without tenting? ›

Microwave is an effective method for localized, drywood termite infestations. This quick method directs microwaves at the infested area, penetrating the wood containing the termites. The microwaves turn to heat, almost instantly killing the termites.

Do termites always require tenting? ›

Tenting a house for termites is only effective on drywood termites. Subterranean termites live underground, which is how they enter your home. The tenting process does not go below ground, hence ineffective against them. Drywood termites, on the other hand, live on wood which is why structural fumigation works.

What is the difference between tenting and fumigation? ›

Tenting: Heavy tarps enclose the entire structure, creating a sealed environment for the whole house. Fumigant Release: A standard fumigant is released into the tented space to target pests. Aeration: After the fumigation process lasts 24-72 hours, the gas dissipates under controlled conditions.

What is the difference between fumigation and tenting? ›

Tenting: Heavy tarps enclose the entire structure, creating a sealed environment for the whole house. Fumigant Release: A standard fumigant is released into the tented space to target pests. Aeration: After the fumigation process lasts 24-72 hours, the gas dissipates under controlled conditions.

How long does tenting last? ›

Fumigation or Tenting

However, gas fumigation is one of the most effective ways of killing live termites, and the results should last about five years.

Does tenting a house leave residue? ›

While it is important to follow the expert's instructions to prepare or remove some items before the fumigation, termite fumigants do not leave permanent residues in a home or on household items.

Is tenting a house safe for neighbors? ›

Only when the gases are of a concentration that is not harmful to humans will they lift the tent and allow the occupants to enter the house. Hence, if the fumigation is properly done by an experienced termite control provider, you need not worry about staying in your home when your neighbor is fumigating his house.

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