How to Prepare for Termite Tenting
Termite tenting is the name given to the process of getting rid of termites if you have a large infestation in your house. This anti-termite technique is a very effective way of dealing with the extermination of these pests. The process involves protecting the area under the attack of termites with a tent or polyethylene shrouds. After the tenting is in place, a termite killing gas is released and it gets rid of pests in every nook and cranny of the house. Following is how to prepare for termite tenting:
Step 1 - Educate Yourself about the Procedure
What is tenting? It is the process of completely covering your affected property with a tent, tarp, or a polyethylene cover and then giving a full blast of an anti-bug spray, which, when released, eradicates all the termites. Big fans are placed in different areas to circulate the gas in the house. This procedure takes care of rampant termite infestations. This method is great because not only does it take care of the ‘procreative’ adult insects, but also of the future termites.
Step 2 - Move out for a Few Days
Once you decide on the tenting procedure, you have to prepare well in advance so that safety procedures are followed for your whole family, including pets. It would be advisable to stay away 48 hours or more, if the termite eradication company advises, so the toxins released complete their job well. Secure all the food items in sealed bags specially provided by the insect control organization. Once the house is evacuated, the toxin is released. Place special signs warning people to stay away in case someone comes over inadvertently.
Step 3 - The Process
Quarantine your house for 24 hours while the toxin is released. On the second day, remove the tent or tarp cover and air the rooms well. On the third day the anti-termite people view the house with the help of special instruments to make sure the house is cleared from both the termites and the anti-bug chemical. Make sure you have killed all the termites living under your house along with any subterranean termites that might have adopted your home.
Step 4 - After the Procedure
Though the gas released does not stick to surfaces, it is still better to wipe each piece of furniture well. In the kitchen, wash clean the cooking utensils and wipe the countertops so the entire residue is gone. The pest control company has the latest equipment that checks if there are any toxins in the surrounding atmosphere, and if so, they take care of the problem right away.
Step 5 - Follow-Up Plan
After a successful procedure, work with the fumigation company to formulate a follow-up plan with their instruments to check if there is any danger of re-infestation. You should be aware that the gas will kill the worker termites, but not the eggs. Hopefully, the baby termites will die when they are not provided with any food after being hatched.
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![Natasha Gilani]()
Natasha is a contributing writer for DoItYourself.com. She's an experienced home improvement researcher and project builder with a wide range of interests, and especially enjoys learning about gardening, power tools, and patio design.![Dawn Hammon]()
Dawn Hammon has thrived in freelance writing and editor roles for nearly a decade. She has lived, worked, and attended school in Oregon for many years. Dawn currently spends her days convincing her children she is still smarter than them while creating new experiences with her husband of 24 years.  Her multiple interests have led her to frequently undergo home improvement projects. She enjoys sharing the hard-earned knowledge that comes with it with the audience of DoItYourself.com. Dawn and her sister make up a power-tool loving duo that teaches classes to local women with the goal of empowering them to tackle their fears and become comfortable with power tools. Tapping into her enthusiasm for saving money and devotion to sustainable practices, Dawn has recently launched a passion project aimed at connecting eco-friendly products and socially-responsible companies with consumers interested in making conscientious purchases, better informing themselves about products on the market, and taking a stand in favor of helping to save the planet. When she is not providing stellar online content for local, national, and international businesses or trolling the internet for organic cotton clothing, you might find her backpacking nearby hills and valleys, traveling to remote parts of the globe, or expanding her vocabulary in a competitive game of Scrabble. Dawn holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, which these days she mostly uses to provide therapy for her kids and spouse. Most recently, I worked for a small local professional organizing and estate sale company for four years where I learned a ton about organizing and/or disposing of just about anything. She was raised in a tool-oriented, hands-on, DIY family. Her dad worked in the floor covering business and owned local floor covering businesses, so of course selling floor covering was one of her first jobs. Her brother was a contractor for about 30 years and site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity. I worked with him often, building decks, painting houses, framing in buildings, etc. With her sister, she holds power tool classes to empower women who are scared or have never used them. Not quite homesteaders, she did grow up with a farm, tractors, motorcycles, expansive gardens, hay fields, barns, and lots of repairs to do. Plus she and her family preserved foods, raised cattle and pigs, chopped and hauled firewood, and performed regular maintenance on two households, outbuildings, fencing, etc. As an adult, she has owned two houses. The first one she personally ripped out a galley kitchen and opened it up to the living area, plus updated every door, floor covering, and piece of trim in the place. In her current home, she's tackled everything from installing real hardwood flooring to revamping the landscape.
