How to prepare to fumigate your new house
If your new home has a termite or pest infestation, fumigation will be necessary to effectively treat this problem. Fumigating your house before you move in is your best option, but it may not always be possible.
The poisonous gas fumigant used in treating your house can be extremely harmful to you and your pets; therefore it’s important to take proper precautions. Below are tips on how to prepare to fumigate your new house.
While your home is being treated with hazardous chemicals
you will need to make arrangements for a place to stay for several days. Keep in mind; fumigation preparation, treatment and aeration can take up to 72 hours. Make sure to pack a survival kit of essentials for the several days you will be away from your home.
Keep in mind that good weather
Is essential for an effective treatment of your home.
Fumigation require tarps to enclose your entire house and heavy rain or wind may compromise the entire process. Keep an eye on the weather forecast days leading up to the fumigation day.
Do a thorough walk-through of the house
Make sure everything is in order and nothing is left behind that should not be there once the fumigation begins. Be mindful, you will not be able to re-enter the house once fumigation starts.
The day before the fumigation
Water the perimeter of your house at a depth of about six inches to prevent fumigant leakage at the base of the tent.
Call your gas company
to have them turn off the gas line supply to your house the day before your fumigation.Make sure to turn off and unplug all appliances to avoid a fire hazard. This includes your refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven and water heating devices.
If there is a door, open it!
This includes all rooms, cabinets, drawers, closets, and appliances. This will allow for good air circulation and will also help the fumigant to aerate more quickly and easily.
Most of the contents in your cupboards need to be double sealed in special Nylon fume bags or removed from the home altogether. These items include medicine, food, beverage, pet food, dental products, etc.
Dry goods packaged in bags or boxes
Need to be removed or double bagged even if they haven’t been opened. These items include cereal, chips, rice, etc. Only products that have not been opened and still have the original manufacturer’s airtight seal do not need to be removed or double sealed.
Remove all plants from inside the house
The day before fumigation, water any dry dirt 12 inches or more from the house foundation. The moisture will help protect plants that are just outside the fumigation tent.
There are a lot of things you will have to remove from your home. These include all jewelry, furs, vehicles, and more. Speak to your service provider for a full list of items that should be removed from the home during this process.
When the fumigation period passes
You must begin the aeration process. Your fumigator service provider will inform you when you may do so. Open all windows and doors, allowing the fumes to escape.
Open all plastic bags or plastic covers, as these will slow aerate process, causing toxins to linger in your home. Remove plastic covers from mattresses, sofas or other pieces of furniture with waterproof covers.
Seek immediate medical attention
if anyone in the household starts to experience symptoms of over-exposure to fumigation gases. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, coughing, breathing difficulties, double vision, dizziness, and fatigue.