Fumigation treats an entire structure in one go. Tarps seal the building and a gas fills it, reaching into walls, furniture and every stored item. It is the most complete bed bug option and is kept for cases that have spread throughout a home or small building.
When to Consider It
- Signs turn up in almost every room.
- Heat or chemical treatment has already been tried and failed.
- There is too much stored furniture and clutter to treat item by item.
- A small multi-unit building has bugs in every apartment.
How Structural Fumigation Works in California
- PlanThe structure is measured and you get a list of items to bag or take out.
- TentTarps cover the building and warning signs are posted.
- FumigateA licensed fumigator releases the gas for the required time.
- ClearTarps come down, the building airs out and a meter confirms the gas is gone.
Fumigation and Clovis Buildings
Tenting is familiar to many Clovis homeowners from termite work, and bed bug fumigation follows a very similar routine. It mostly comes up for a badly infested single-family home or a small apartment building where every unit must be done at once. Because it takes coordination with tenants and neighbors, ask the company why tenting fits your building better than heat or chemicals.
Getting Ready to Leave
- Take out food, medicine and pet food, or seal them in the special bags the crew provides.
- Book 2 to 3 nights somewhere else for the household and any pets.
- Water the plants near the foundation and trim back anything touching the walls.
- Make sure the crew can walk around every side of the building.
Questions About Fumigation
How do we know when it is safe to go back in?
A licensed fumigator decides. Once the tarps are off, the building is aired out and tested with a gas meter before anyone returns.
Does fumigation keep bed bugs from coming back?
No. The gas leaves no lasting protection, so new bugs carried in later can start a fresh infestation. Some companies apply a residual product after the tent comes down.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Clovis. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.