Providing Fumigation Services in Greater Los Angeles and Orange County Areas

Why buildings are fumigated?

Insects that feed or tunnel into wood can seriously damage houses, apartments, and other dwellings or structures. Each year termites or other wood destroying insects damage more than 5 million homes. Other pests, such as bed bugs, may be dispersed throughout rooms and can be difficult to locate and control quickly and completely. Depending on the extent or location of the infestation, fumigation is the only total control method proven to eliminate certain infestations of wood destroying insects, bed bugs, and other structure-infesting pests.

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How buildings are fumigated?

The following is a general guideline and timeline for a typical fumigation:

 

Fumigation (Up)

• A fumigation crew covers the entire structure with large tarps. The tarps are secured with long "sand snakes" placed along the foundation of the structure and related attachments.

 

• A licensed fumigator prepares the interior by ensuring the removal of food, feed, drugs, plants, people and pets. The fumigator is also responsible for placement of fans, opening of doors and drawers and placement of warning agent (chloropicrin) in specific locations.

 

• The structure is secured with secondary locks on all entryways and warning signs are posted at specific locations.

 

• Once the exterior has been properly sealed and the interior prepared, the warning agent is applied and the proper dosage of Vikane fumigant is introduced into the structure. The fumigant is contained in the structure for a predetermined amount of time, penetrating deep into wood to eliminate Drywood Termites. Fumigation (Down)

 

• After the proper exposure to Vikane® fumigant, the fumigation crew removes the tarps from the structure.

 

• During the removal of the equipment, the licensed fumigator will open all windows and doors and use fans to continue aeration of the structure.

 

• Upon removal of equipment, the property is again secured with secondary locks and warning signs remain posted. Fumigation (Re-Entry/Certification)

 

• Once the proper amount of aeration time has elapsed, the licensed fumigator takes air samples from the interior living spaces of the structure with equipment specifically designed to detect the presence of Vikane® fumigant.

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• Once it is determined that it safe to return to the structure, the licensed fumigator will place a Re-Entry Notice on the front door. This notice will indicate the date and time that it was certified safe to re-enter.

 

• The secondary locks and warning signs are removed to complete the fumigation.

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What is Vikane® gas fumigant?

Vikane® (Sulphuryl Fluoride) is a colorless, odorless gas that is non-staining, non-corrosive and non-flammable. As a gas, Vikane® dissipates rapidly into the atmosphere and does not deplete the ozone.

 

What is Chloropicrin?

Chloropicrin, a warning agent, is a colorless liquid with a strong odor, causing tearing of the eyes and throat irritation when used at low concentrations. Chloropicrin helps ensure a structure is vacated of people and pets prior to fumigation with Vikane®. It also serves as a warning agent from early or accidental entry during the fumigation