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Termite Fumigation

Dusting, Baiting or Barrier Treatment?

Are you considering termite fumigation for your home?

Getting rid of termites once they’ve established themselves in your home can be a costly exercise.

There are different methods of termite control available, including baiting, dusting, physical and chemical barriers, and fumigation.

But not all of these methods are appropriate for all species of termite.

The cost involved in fumigation and other treatments can be up to several thousand dollars.

So it’s absolutely vital that the method of termite extermination chosen is appropriate for the species of termite in your home – lest you find yourself paying for a second treatment.

Sulfuryl fluoride (trade name Vikane) is a gas used 99% of the time to fumigate closed structures in the USA against drywood & Formosan termites, borers, bed bugs, carpet beetles in woolen carpets, cockroaches, spiders and even rodents.

Methyl bromide (aka Bromomethane) was widely used in the past as a fumigant for control of termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, rodents, fungi & weeds (Gehring et al., 1991; IPCS, 1995).

Using Sulfuryl fluoride or Methyl bromide to dispose of termites is still relatively rare in most parts Australia.

That’s largely because it’s most appropriately used to treat infestations of Drywood or Dampwood termite species in Northern Australia – and the most widespread and problematic termite species are the subterranean termites.

Why isn’t termite fumigation suitable for subterranean termites?

Subterranean termites build colonies in the ground and tunnel their way into your home from a colony some distance away. While gassing with Sulfuryl fluoride may kill the termites that are already in your home, it won’t affect the underground colony.

These colonies can be heavily populated so to prevent repeat infestations, choosing a treatment that aims to destroy the colony is vital.

Conversely, Drywood and Dampwood termites build smaller colonies inside the wood they’re feeding on, rather than in the ground. That means that termite fumigation may be effective for these species as it is able to destroy the colonies established in your home or furniture.

Termite fumigation is less popular as a termite treatment method in NSW at this time because Drywood and Dampwood termites have a preference for natural wood structures and most termite damage to homes is caused by the subterranean termites.

However, The West Indian Drywood termite species has reached our shores, most likely via imported wooden furniture.

Particularly destructive, these termites colonise in roof and floor structures, as well as wooden furniture. Fortunately, they’re a rare find in NSW. Gassing by “tenting” buildings by wrapping in impervious plastic is an appropriate way of exterminating these Drywood termites.

What Exactly is Termite Fumigation?

This method of treatment may be defined as a method of using a lethal gas which is invisible with no smell to exterminate termites contained within an enclosed environment.

It might sound like an extensive and expensive process but it is one of the most effective methods of exterminating drywood termites in Northern Australia and particularly in the USA.

Termite fumigation is undertaken using toxic chemicals. When an entire home is to undergo this type of treatment, the home is ‘tented’ and the chemicals pumped into the home.

If Drywood termites are found only in furniture, the particular item can be placed in a chamber and subjected to a gas treatment.

If you’re considering termite protection, ensure that you have discussed the other options with your termite control expert.

Fumigation is expensive and it’s unwise to opt for this type of termite management for subterranean termites – termite fumigation won’t kill a subterranean termite colony, or prevent subterranean termites from entering your home.

If you suspect you have termites, or you’re considering termite fumigation, contact a termite expert who can inspect the home, identify the termite species, and advise you on appropriate treatments.

Looking for non-fuming cockroach fumigation or flea fumigation? For fast action call 0417 251 911 or email bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au

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"We first used A1 Pest Control a few years ago when we noticed a few termites under a wine barrell in the rear yard of our home. We asked A1 Pest Control Sydney to pay us a visit to have a thorough termite inspection of our home. Bruce and his crew were on time, and very well presented. They explained how they would get rid of the termite infestation using a low toxic method and how their Thermal cameras worked, It worked very well and now we can sleep at night!"

Gary and Carol Harman

"We have been using Bruce form A1 Pest Control for over 4 years now. We bought our new house on the Hills Area, and moved in. our neighbours had problem with rodents and spiders so they are using A1 next door. I asked them if they could come over and treat our house too, as i didn't want to chase pest around our home. The service was not only effective, but carried out without any smelly fumes that we have experienced in our last house. They solved problem next door and I haven't seen a bug since."

Melissa Topper

"A1 Pest Control exterminators where great! I'm very happy to say that they solved a bed bug problem that I had after we had visitors from overseas visit us. I would recommend A1 Pest Control to anyone needing a safe and effective treatment of bed bugs"

Amanda Wu

"Bruce solved our commercial pest control problem in Castle Hill. Cockroaches were throughout our factory and they were completely gone after two visits from his exterminators. Just seeing one cockroach can lose us clients. I know now everyhing is ok, and our reputation is intact"

Raj Beri, Europa International

"Bruce from A1 Help us get rid of a bad spider infestation that have been troubling us for a while. It was done with low toxic spray and his crew even game me some cockroach and ant baits to get rid of them. I have recommended A1 to all my friends and family"

Carmel Thomas

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