Fumigation or any other method of pest control may seem like a daunting and intimidating procedure. It brings up images of masked men holding hoses and equipment that billow out toxic smoke. However, fumigation can be a necessary process to keep our surroundings safe and clean. 

What is Fumigation?

Fumigation is a targeted prevention/extermination method that is widely used by specialists in pest management to effectively control pests that can damage structures and pose health risks.

Fumigants or in the simplest terms, "gas"  are highly toxic to living organisms, even humans. Therefore, the use of fumigants is highly controlled by local government officers and must be registered properly. 

The fumigant is carefully applied to an airtight, enclosed space where pests are most likely to nest. When properly done, fumigation should not cause any permanent damage to the objects being cleaned. It is then essential that you work with pest control specialists that provide solutions that are safe, not just for your space, but for the environment as well.

Why is Fumigation necessary?

Fumigation is done to prevent pests from infesting our homes or any places that are densely populated. Pests can bring their own fair share of danger: some of them may bring about health and sanitation concerns, while some can do lasting damage to our properties. If an infestation is severe, it is best to get a pest control expert to survey the situation.

Pests

Although we may try to keep our homes as clean as possible, we may still encounter pest problems at one point or another. Aside from cockroaches and ants, here are other common household pests:

Rats

Rats can transfer harmful pathogens to humans. These pests can spread infection if they bite or scratch people. Worse, if they nest, they can leave their waste within the walls.  When rats contaminate our food or run over countertops where food is later cooked, we can get sick. Some of the most common diseases transmitted by rats to humans are:

• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)
• Leptospirosis
• Black Plague
• Salmonellosis

Termites

Termites can bite and sting, but they are far from poisonous. They are not even considered to be harmful to humans, or at least not in a direct manner. However, people living in termite-infested homes may be vulnerable to allergies or even asthmatic attacks from the sawdust termites leave behind. Heating or ventilation systems may inadvertently spread particles and dust from termite nests. 

More notably, termites can bring about extensive damage to structures. These pests can slowly eat away at the wooden frameworks of your home or building, which can cause its destruction.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest insects in the animal kingdom due to the diseases they bring with them. These insects tend to live in still waters and lay eggs there. West Nile Disease is one of the most common diseases associated with mosquitoes. Other mosquito-borne diseases include yellow fever, dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and Zika.

Fumigation Checklist

Stay somewhere else

You and your family will not be able to re-enter the house once fumigation starts, so make sure to arrange for a place to stay. This can take up to two to three days depending on the extent of the fumigation work. Talk to the fumigator ahead of time to be sure the schedule of events is clear to everyone. Pets, including fish, will also need to be brought safely out of the house, as well as any house plants.

Move all consumables into an airtight container

If your food or medicine cannot be brought outside of your home, then you have to keep them in airtight containers or make sure they are covered well.

Ventilate upon your return

For maximum coverage, fumigants have a tendency to spread then stick to surfaces. Opening all doors and windows allows the fumigants to spread out more evenly across your home. Not only that, it will help the fumigant dissipate faster after the fumigation period has passed.

Fumigation can be a necessary safety precaution to ensure pests are not posing health risks to you and the occupants of your home. Being informed can help you better prepare in case there is a need to fumigate your living space.