Tenting for termites means whole-structure fumigation that seals a home with tarps and uses a gas to kill hidden drywood termite colonies.
Tenting For Termites: How Whole-Structure Fumigation Works
In a standard tent job, a licensed crew wraps the building in tarps, sets fans and lines, and releases sulfuryl fluoride, a colorless fumigant used for structures. A warning agent, chloropicrin, is released first so anyone nearby would feel irritation and stay out. After a timed exposure, the crew vents the home and tests the air with a clearance device. Re-entry happens only when readings meet the clearance level set on the label. The gas dissipates and does not leave residue on dishes, bedding, clothes, or furniture. For plain-language basics on sulfuryl fluoride, warning agents, and clearance testing, see the U.S. EPA sulfuryl fluoride page.
Termite Treatment Methods At A Glance
| Method | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-structure fumigation (“tenting”) | Widespread drywood termite activity, including inaccessible galleries | Reaches hidden wood; no residual protection; everyone must vacate during work |
| Localized treatments (foams, dusts, liquids) | Small, confirmed drywood galleries | Lower disruption; success depends on finding every colony |
| Heat treatment | Drywood termites where heating a structure or wing is practical | Fast turnaround; hard-to-heat “sinks” can reduce kill if core wood temps stay low |
| Soil termiticides or baits | Subterranean termites nesting in soil | Targets ground colonies; tenting does not reach soil nests |
University guidance notes that monitored fumigation has the highest success on drywood termites and that fumigation does not treat subterranean nests in soil. For context on treatment choices, see the UC IPM drywood termite page.
When Tenting Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
Tenting shines when colonies are scattered through framing, trim, attic voids, and built-ins. Spot work can miss pockets you can’t see; a whole-structure gas fills those spaces at once. If activity sits in one or two boards, a careful spot plan may be enough. Tenting is not designed for subterranean termites that live in soil and travel through mud tubes; those call for soil treatments or baits around the building. Also, tenting will not stop new drywood swarmers from entering later. It clears what’s there now; it does not create a long-term shield.
Termite Tenting: Step-By-Step Timeline
Inspection And Setup
A licensed inspector maps wood members, attic spaces, and attached structures. The crew sets secondary locks on doors, opens interior doors and drawers for airflow, and pads roof edges where tarps may drag. Gas service is shut off if required locally. Neighbors get notice, and warning placards go on entry points.
Sealing And Gas Release
Tarps go over the structure and are sealed at seams and along the ground. Fans push fumigant through the interior. Exposure length depends on temperature, wood thickness, and dosage needed to reach galleries. Crews place monitoring lines so they can confirm gas levels during the hold.
Aeration And Clearance
When the exposure goal is met, crews vent the building with fans and venting lines. Only trained workers enter at this stage. Air is sampled with a clearance device to verify readings are at or below the clearance level before releasing the site. In 2024, EPA-approved labels added longer active and passive aeration steps, site-specific logs, and standardized clearance devices to prevent early re-entry; these measures formalize checkpoints for crews and occupants.
Re-Entry
Once the site passes clearance, locks and placards come off, fans stop, and utilities are restored. Most projects take about one to three days end-to-end, based on structure size, weather, and label directions. Your operator will share the schedule for your address and the exact re-entry time after testing.
Preparation Checklist For Homeowners
Good prep keeps the job smooth and short. Your company will send a packet; the common items below show what most homes need. Food, medicine, pet food, and similar consumables that are not in manufacturer-sealed glass, metal, or plastic must be removed or double-bagged in specialty Nylofume bags. The maker’s guide shows how to double-bag and what stays or goes, including items in fridges and freezers. Pets and plants must be out for the full duration. Move potted plants away from walls so tarps can drop cleanly, and water soil near the foundation the day before to help ground seals.
Bag, Move, Or Cover The Right Things
Plan boarding for pets, and follow company steps for aquariums. Unlock all areas the crew needs to enter, including garages and sheds under the tarps. Turn off heaters and pilot lights if your utility requires it, and set shutoff and relight appointments. Clear attic pathways and closet floors so air can move through voids. If you have roof-mounted gear that could snag a tarp, ask about removal or padding.
Prep Items At A Glance
| Item | What To Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Food, medicine, pet food | Remove or double-bag with Nylofume; include fridge and freezer items that aren’t factory-sealed | Protects consumables during fumigation |
| Pets and aquariums | Board pets; follow company steps for tanks | Animals must be out for the entire job |
| Plants near walls | Move them away; water soil within 18 inches of the foundation the day before | Prevents tarp abrasion and helps ground seals |
| Gas and pilot lights | Schedule shutoff/relight if required; turn off pilots per local rules | Safety and label compliance |
| Access | Provide keys; clear attics, closets, and garages for airflow | Lets gas reach all voids and speeds venting |
Safety And Re-Entry Levels
Sulfuryl fluoride is a restricted use pesticide, so only certified applicators or those they supervise can apply it. EPA’s current label updates require site-specific logs, posted no-entry signs, longer aeration steps, and use of listed clearance devices; crews cannot release a site until air readings meet the clearance level. These updates stem from federal reviews of incidents tied to early re-entry and standardize how firms document and test every job. You can read the summary of these measures on EPA’s notice about new safety steps for residential fumigation linked from the page above.
Pros And Trade-Offs
What You Gain
- One treatment hits all drywood galleries at once, including hidden pockets in walls and attics.
- When monitored, success rates are high because gas reaches places drills and foams can’t.
- No cleanup of residues on dishes, clothes, or bedding.
What To Weigh
- You must vacate, move plants, and board pets for the duration.
- There is no lasting barrier; new swarmers can still start colonies later.
- Roofs and delicate fixtures can scuff during tarping; crews try to pad edges, yet minor wear can occur.
Drywood Vs Subterranean Termites: Know The Difference
Drywood termites live inside sound wood and don’t need soil contact. Subterranean termites nest in soil and reach wood through tubes. Tenting targets drywood colonies inside the structure, while subterranean control relies on soil termiticide treatments or baits placed around the home. If you see mud tubes or ground swarms, ask about a soil program instead of a tent. The UC IPM pages linked above explain why fumigation clears drywood problems yet does not control ground nests.
Aftercare: Simple Ways To Reduce The Next Infestation
Seal siding joints, trim edges, and fascia gaps. Fix roof and window leaks and replace badly damaged wood. Screen attic vents and repair openings around eaves. Keep firewood off the ground and away from walls. During swarming seasons, watch for discarded wings and fresh pellets beneath kickout holes. Book an annual inspection so small issues don’t linger. If you live in an area with frequent swarms, ask about adding door and vent screens, and swap cracked weatherstripping so outside swarmers have fewer gaps.
Key Takeaways On Tenting For Termites
- Tenting is whole-structure fumigation that excels at finding and clearing hidden drywood colonies.
- It does not reach soil nests, so subterranean problems need a different plan.
- Plan for one to three days away while crews dose, vent, and clear the structure.
- Follow prep steps—bag consumables, move plants, coordinate gas—so the job stays on schedule.
- Ask for monitored fumigation and a written warranty, then keep up with inspections.
External references used: U.S. EPA overview of sulfuryl fluoride and clearance testing, and UC ANR’s drywood termite guidance on whole-structure fumigation and alternatives.