YOUR QUESTIONS
Will I need to pack and remove clothing and dishes?
No, you do not have to remove your clothes, dishes, forks, knives, etc. We’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to help you make sure that you’ve removed all the necessary items.
Do I need to wash dishes or clean counters when I return to my home or business?
Vikane is an odorless, colorless gas that doesn’t leave any residue behind, so you do not need to clean anything after fumigation. This means that you can use your utensils, counters, and dishes right after the process without any worries. So, there is no need to clean or vacuum anything upon returning to your space.
How long will the tent remain on my structure?
Once the tent is on and the Vikane gas is introduced, the average time in most services for drywood termites is 18 to 20 hours. For example, if we tent the house on Monday, we will come back to remove the tent sometime on Tuesday after 18 to 20 hours have lapsed. Once the tent is removed, the aeration period begins, and we will return on Wednesday once we have confirmed that the home is safe for re-entry.
It’s important to remember that not all jobs are the same, and the fumigation times can vary based on the size of the structure, level of pest infestation, etc. We will provide you with an estimated treatment timeline based on our years of extensive fumigation experience.
What does need to be removed prior to fumigation?
It is required to remove anything that you would eat or apply to your skin, such as all food in the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry, except for steel canned goods like a can of green beans. This also includes medicines, cosmetics, skin care products, and dental hygiene products.
How do I know all the gas is gone and it is safe to return to my home or business?
Our services include testing all voids in the structure for any presence of Vikane gas. Our state-of-the-art instruments can detect the gas in parts per million. We test all voids until all readings are zero. We will remove all warning signs and secondary locks and notify you that your structure is safe for entry. Finally, we will put a “Safe for Entry” sticker on all entry points. One of our Fumigation Crew Members will remain on-site throughout the process to ensure everything runs smoothly.
What happens if I do nothing and do not fumigate?
Drywood termite colonies live in the wood for their entire lifespan. The colony can live 10 to 15 years and will continuously release reproductive termites annually to increase the size of the infestation. One of the main challenges of Drywood termites is their undetectable nature. They can live deep within the structure and fumigation is the preferred solution to the elimination of the termite infestation.
If left untreated, the infestation will continue, and additional colonies will be established, potentially causing significant structural damage to your home or business.
If you have any questions or suspect you might have Drywood termites or Powderpost beetles, our team is here to help. Schedule your inspection today online or call us at (713) 862-8224. One of our experienced team members will be glad to assist you.