San Diego Termite Treatment

SAN DIEGO INSPECTION & FUMIGATION

Termite fumigation is one of the only ways to completely eradicate termites.

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Termites cost property owners $5 billion in treatment and repair annually. Termite fumigation in San Diego is a form of eradication. If you are looking to prevent termites from entering your house, talk to your San Diego termite inspector about the maintenance programs we have to offer. Are you looking to completely eradicate Drywood termites from your home? Then fumigation is the best option. We walk you through the entire process from start to finish so you can rest assured your home is being taken care of properly and to your satisfaction.

THE TERMITE INSPECTION PROCESS

After the San Diego termite inspection is finished, the termite inspector will complete a report with photos documenting findings (which is important for the escrow process and for your records should you ever want to sell your home). The termite inspection photo report will then be emailed to you.

The inspector will note any evidence of a live termite colony and how much damage the colony has created. If possible, the inspector will show you the termite damage if the area is in an accessible space. The termite inspector will also offer a recommended termite treatment and termite control plan.

The inspector will carefully review your home, including favorite termite hangouts, like:
  • The attic
  • The garage
  • Crawlspaces
The inspector is highly trained to spot evidence of termites, including damaged wood, dropping, and shed wings. The inspector can determine if an infestation is active or has previously been treated and estimate the size of any active colonies.
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FACTS ABOUT FUMIGATING YOUR HOME

There are several alternatives to localized chemical treatments. However, only two methods for whole-house eradication of drywood termites exist: fumigation and whole-house heat treatment. Other methods such as electro gun, microwave, and freezing with liquid nitrogen are local or spot treatments designed to eradicate termites in a specific area. However, they are not intended for whole house eradication and therefore are NOT alternatives to fumigation. Fumigating your house will eradicate all drywood termites, but it will not kill subterranean termites (unless present in the wood members of structure to be fumigated). Subterranean termites are below ground and are not reachable via fumigation. To eradicate subterranean termites, an inspector will need to inspect your property to see what type of treatment is necessary for your properties specific needs. Here at Wild Wild Pest Control we offer several different types of treatments and heat or chemical barriers are just a couple of them.
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TERMITE FUMIGATION PROCESS

Termite tenting is typically a 2-Night, 3-Day process during which you will need to vacate the home. There are some steps needed to be taken prior to the tenting by the homeowner to ensure safety and success of the fumigation. Below is the process day by day.

Fumigation Preparation Appointment: This appointment is to go over everything that needs to be done prior to the fumigation as well as answer any questions you may have. Your inspector will also provide you with a lockbox to store your key in during the tenting process as well as go over all documents to be signed.

If the property is vacant, SDG&E may cap the gas the day before. Saturate the soil around the home for a proper ground seal. Perform a once-over to ensure all prep work has been performed in and around your home.

If the property is vacant, SDG&E may cap the gas the day before. Saturate the soil around the home for a proper ground seal. Perform a once-over to ensure all prep work has been performed in and around your home.

After the gas has fully permeated the wood members for the appropriate time, the aeration process will begin. Vent screens and the C.A.P. tube will be opened for this process, allowing the gas to slowly expel.

The tarp will be removed from the structure and the licensed fumigator, also known as the licensee will periodically check the air quality until it is safe for re-entry. Once the structure is safe for re-entry, the licensee will post a notice on the front door stating that the property has been deemed clear for re-entry. You will need to save this notice to show to the SDG&E service technician to have your gas restored the day after the fumigation process is complete.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to scheduled SDG&E to come out to the property a turn on the gas. Someone will need to be present for this appointment to allow the SDG&E service technician access to the home to re-light pilots and test and appliances that operate off of gas. Be sure to keep the re-entry notice that was left on the front door by the fumigators. SDG&E will want to see this notice prior to restoring your gas.

BENEFITS OF HEAT TREATMENT

The great advantage to doing heat treatments is this can be done in one day, NO MOVING OUT, NO CHEMICALS, JUST HEAT!. Once the process starts a technician is at your home until the treatment is completed. (Normally an 8-hr. period) An additional advantage is that portions of large structures can be treated separately, which is very useful in apartments and condominiums.

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OUR HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS

heat treatment process
The length of time the treatment takes varies depending on the size of the areas being treated as well as the weather.  The average length of a heat treatment is approximately 5-8 hours. Your technician will have a much more accurate time for re-entry once at the property. However, as a minimum you will need to be out of the structure for 9-hours from the time we arrive. This will allow for set up, service, and a cool down period. During treatment temperatures will range from 135-200 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the core of targeted wood members reach appropriate internal temperatures allowing us to eradicate all life stages of Drywood Termites. Tarps may be used to ensure heat is retained on the exterior where wood is exposed. Clips are used to secure these tarps in place during treatment. It is important that the area at least 18 inches from the foundation of the structure (in treatment areas) is clear to accommodate our tarps and equipment. All vegetation and plants that is inside the treatment area may be affected. As such True Heat Solutions will not be responsible for damaged vegetation or plants. Upon re-entry you may find items have been moved around as it is a necessary part of the process to ensure heat is applied most effectively. You may find the internal ambient temperature of the structure is warm, but the structure should be allowed to cool naturally. Please do not open vinyl windows or turn on air conditioner(s) for at least 2 hours post treatment.

Common Questions About Termite Fumigation & Heat Treatment

See some common questions and answers below, or call us at (858) 901-8394. 

The cost to fumigate also known as termite tenting depends on many factors and is based on the metric airspace of the structure(s) to be fumigated. A two story 1200 sq. ft. house will cost more than a single-story house of the same square footage as there is more volume of space. When measuring a structure, we have to consider exterior objects that are attached to or are very close to the structure such as decks, sheds, awnings, patio covers, hallow walls and even odd shaped exterior features such as multi-level roofs when calculating the metric air space; which is why it is very important to have a licensed inspector visit your property for an accurate measurement and proposal.

It may seem obvious to most but to be clear, the structure must be vacant by law. All people, pets, and plants must be removed from the structure before fumigation. This includes fish aquariums.

All food, feed, drugs and medicines may remain in the structure provided they are in a glass, metal, or plastic bottles, cans, jars, in the original manufacturer’s air tight seal intact, or doubled bagged in Nylofume bags. Please read our, How To Prepare Your Home blog for more details. Prior to the fumigation a representative from Wild Wild Pest Control will come back out to your home for a fumigation preparation appointment. This appointment is to go over all preparation that needs to be completed prior to the tenting.

During the tenting the electricity must be available as it will be necessary to run fans for proper gas permeation as well as to perform the California Aeration Plan (CAP) process. However, you will want to shut off automatic switch controls for appliance and lighting systems.

The fumigation company will schedule SDG&E to come out to your home and shut-off the gas.This can take place either the day before fumigation or the morning of. It is however, the customers responsibility to contact SDG&E to re-store the gas and light pilots. You can contact SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343. Please keep in mind that the gas can not be restored on your home the same day that the property is deemed clear for re-entry. For example, if your home is cleared for re-entry on Wednesday, SDG&E can restore your gas on Thursday.

The exterior surrounding of your home will need to have a clearance of 10-12 inches outward from the structure. This will allow the tent to be draped down to the ground, allowing for a proper seal. Anything outside your structure, but within the tent structure will be affected by the fumigation, including plants. A termite inspector will walk the perimeter of your structure with you prior to tenting and point out any areas of concern. It is important that exterior lighting does not come on during the fumigation as we don’t want the appliances creating heat that will damage the tarps. Automatic sprinkler systems must be turned off!

Treatment: Your inspector will verify any condition in the home/treatment area that will need to be addressed prior to the treatment.

Heat Treatment set up/Installation: The technician installs temperature probes in critical areas of the attic/treatment area wood members to make sure the internal temperature of the targeted area has reach the kill range for recommend time for size of wood area to be treated.

The Heater Set up: Shortest path from heater to infestation is found. Drop clothes are laid out in hall ways or along the path to the attic/treatment area to protect your floors/surfaces form the large tube that hot air blows through. The heater is placed outside and is connected to the tube blowing hot air into the treatment area.

Temperatures of the internal wood temperature is periodically checked and recorded during the process, to ensure the lethal temperature is met and held for the appropriate time. The treatment temperatures will range from 135 to 200 Degrees and a standard heat treatment to an attic usually takes about 5 – 8 hours.

Wait Before Re-Entry: Spot treatments to areas such as the attic or garage, no vacating the premises required. Your technician will let you know if you will need to vacate the premises or not. Though not often performed, however we ask that you wait two (2) hours after full structure treatment to allow for the structure and your belongings to cool down.

Even though the heat used for this procedure is relatively low, there are some heat sensitive items such as candles, electronics, books, etc. that may be harmed during treatment. A list of these sensitive items can be provided. Some items may need to be removed from the treatment area prior to treatment. Items that are too large or are difficult to remove may be protected with special thermal blankets. our crews perform this procedure. We are capable of providing protection for any and all items that may require such protection. In order to provide this protection, it is important that we be made aware of the existence and location of all sensitive items that remain in the area during treatment. This information should be provided to your Termite Inspector so we can take all necessary precautions.

If the structure to be heated is furnished with a sprinkler system, that system must deactivated and entire system must be drained. In order to prevent flooding from damaged sprinkler heads it is necessary that the following steps be taken:

1. System must be totally shut off.

2. System must be drained as completely as possible. Just opening the drain valves may not be sufficient, and additional efforts may be needed. Such efforts may include but are not limited to removing a head(s) at a low point in the system to provide additional drainage. All drains should be left open during treatment. The less water in the system the less potential damage if a head breaks.

3. After treatment has been completed, all heads must be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Note: In some situations, visual inspection is not possible and an air test may be necessary.

4. After determining system is intact and serviceable, system may be recharged.

Prior to the start of the heat treatment, small thermocouple wires are inserted into the core of several different wood members throughout the area(s) to be heated. These wire lead to a digital thermometer, which displays the core temperature of the wood. This allows us to determine when the lethal temperatures have been obtained.

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Termite Treatment San Diego