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Q. WHAT IS FUMIGATION?
A.
Fumigation is a method of using a lethal gas to exterminate
pests within an enclosed space. There are two methods of performing
a fumigation. One is to seal the structure with plastic, tape
or other sealing materials, and the other is by enclosing
the structure in a ÒtentÓ of vinyl-coated nylon tarpaulins.
Q. HOW CAN I TELL IF MY HOUSE HAS
BEEN FUMIGATED?
A. Since 1961, the law requires that, upon completion
of a fumigation, a sign indicating the name of the licensee,
the date of the fumigation and the type of fumigant used be
posted by the fumigator in either the attic or in the subarea
of a house. These tags are to remain permanently and should
not be detached.
Q. WHAT PREPARATIONS MUST BE TAKEN
BEFORE A HOUSE IS FUMIGATED?
A. All persons, pets and plants must be removed from the
structure prior to fumigation. (This includes fish and seeds
or bulbs intended for planting). Medicines, feed, and food
not sealed in metal, glass or highly resistant containers
must be removed from the structure or sealed in protective
bags as recommended by the fumigant manufacturer. Ask your
fumigator any questions you have regarding the fumigation.
Q. WHAT INFORMATION ABOUT MY HOUSE SHOULD I GIVE MY TERMITE
COMPANY PRIOR TO FUMIGATION?
A. Your termite company is required to ask you about the
presence of any construction elements, conduits, drains, or
vacuum systems that could allow passage of the fumigant from
your home to adjacent or adjoining structures.
Q. HOW LONG DOES A FUMIGATION TAKE?
A. The length of time required for a fumigation varies.
A fumigation can take anywhere from six hours to one week
depending on the type of infestation, dosage, temperature,
size of the structure and other factors.
Q. WHAT DOES THE FUMIGANT SMELL LIKE?
A. Structural fumigants are odorless. Therefore, fumigators
are required to release a warning agent such as chloropicrin
(tear gas) within the structure at the time the fumigation
begins and throughout the entire fumigation process.
Q. WHEN DRYWOOD TERMITES OR WOOD
BORING BEETLES ARE FOUND, MUST THE STRUCTURE ALWAYS BE FUMIGATED?
A. No, fumigation is not always a required method of treatment
for drywood termites and wood- boring beetles. Fumigation
is an allencompassing treatment in which the gases permeate
the entire structure, eradicating termites that are inaccessible,
in addition to the visible infestations. If an infestation
is contained in a small area(s), the termites or beetles may
be eliminated by local applications. The inspector will use
their professional judgment to determine, on a case-by-case
basis, what type of treatment is necessary. If treatments
other than fumigation are recommended, you should be aware
that the localized treatments will not provide eradication
of other hidden infestations in the building.
Q. WILL FUMIGATION ELIMINATE ALL
THE TERMITES AND PESTS IN THE STRUCTURE?
A. No, subterranean termites require separate treatments
to create a barrier between the structure and their nest in
the ground. Under optimum conditions, the target pest will
be dead or obviously dying by the end of the fumigation. Drywood
termites can remain alive as long as a week after receiving
a lethal dose of a fumigant. Lethal doses vary for different
pests, depending on the type of fumigant used. It is entirely
possible for household pests (such as spiders, cockroaches,
etc.) to survive a fumigation with the dosage used for drywood
termites.
NOTE: Reinfestations of the target pest could occur following
a fumigation.
Drywood termites and some wood destroying beetles generate
small pellets or dust that remains in the tunnels after the
insects are killed. You may continue to notice these signs
after a fumigation. This does not necessarily mean the fumigation
failed. If you have any questions about the success of your
treatment, contact your pest control company. Since fumigants
have no residual effect, other household pests can reinfect
after a fumigation.
Q. HOW ARE OCCUPANTS OF A STRUCTURE NOTIFIED THAT A FUMIGATION
WILL BE DONE?
A. Before a structural pest control company applies a
fumigant, it must have in its possession an occupant fumigation
notice that has been signed by the occupant(s) or designated
agent of a structure. The occupantÕs fumigation notice must
state the pest to be controlled, the proposed pesticide(s),
including their active ingredients, and the caution statement.
This form must state that a lethal gas will be used in the
building on indicated dates and that it is unsafe to return
to the building until a notice of reentry is posted by the
licensee in charge of the fumigation. The owner should receive
a copy of the occupant's fumigation notice.
Q. HOW CAN A CONSUMER FIND OUT WHAT FUMIGANTS WERE USED
ON THEIR PROPERTY?
A. Before a structural pest control operator applies a
fumigant, he must inform the owner or owner's agent and tenant(s)
of the fumigants proposed to be used and their active ingredients.
Also, this notification must alert the consumer to call their
physician or poison control center and the pest control company
in the event of a reaction after fumigation. The form should
advise consumers to call if anyone entering the structure
experiences symptoms of dizziness, nausea, reduced awareness,
slowed movement, garbled speech or difficulty breathing within
24 hours and give any other symptoms of overexposure.
The name of the fumigant used will be entered on the notice
of reentry that will be posted on the door. This is in addition
to the fumigation tag, which indicates the name of the pest
control company, date of the fumigation, and the name of the
fumigant used. These tags will be permanently affixed in the
subarea and/or attic.
Q. WHO CAN ENTER A STRUCTURE WHILE
IT IS BEING FUMIGATED?
A. Chemicals used in fumigation are lethal! Exposure to
fumigants in a structure being fumigated, even for a few minutes,
will result in death or serious injury.
Absolutely NO ONE can enter a structure until it has been
certified safe for reentry by the licensee in charge of the
fumigation. Warning signs are posted in plainly visible locations
on or in the immediate vicinity of all entrances.
To ensure that even the owner or tenant cannot reenter a structure,
the company is required to put a secondary lock on all outside
doors that only the company can open. These locks can be any
device such as padlock, keyway lock or deadbolts from the
inside which will prevent opening by anyone but the licensee
in charge.
Q. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN IT IS SAFE TO MOVE BACK INTO A
HOME WHICH HAS JUST BEEN FUMIGATED?
A. The fumigator is required to post a reentry notice
on the property at the time the structure is actually deemed
safe for occupancy. The notice states that the building is
safe for reentry, and gives the date and time that the building
was released, the name of the structural pest control company
issuing the notice, and its license and telephone numbers.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT IS EXPERIENCED
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A FUMIGATION?
A. If, within 24 hours following application, you experience
headaches, dizziness, nausea, tearing, coughing, nose/throat
irritation, develop shortness of breath, double vision, unusual
drowsiness, weakness, or tremors, leave the fumigated structure
and immediately contact your physician, poison control
center, the structural pest control company and the Structural
Pest Control Board to report the incident.
Q. CAN A HOMEOWNER CONTRACT DIRECTLY WITH A FUMIGATION
COMPANY?
A. Yes, a homeowner can contract with a Branch 1 Fumigation
company (to fumigate) by providing a copy of an inspection
report (which identifies a wood destroying pest that can be
eradicated by fumigation.) The Branch 1 company will issue
a certification of fumigation to the homeowner and to the
pest control company that performed the inspection within
five days of the fumigation. The pest control company that
performed the inspection will attach the fumigation certification
to any reinspection report, notice of work completed or certification
which it issues.
Q. ARE FUMIGATIONS SAFE?
A. Fumigations are highly regulated by the State of California.
To perform fumigations, companies must be registered with
the Structural Pest Control Board (Board).
Pest control companies may also be required to notify local
fire departments before a fumigation takes place. The State
Department of Pesticide Regulation registers all fumigants
used in California and contracts with each County Agricultural
Commissioner to monitor their use. If you have any questions
regarding safety of fumigants, chemicals or pesticides, you
may call your local County Agricultural Commissioner.
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