Should you fumigate termites at home? You must know these things (Termite Fumigation)

Have you noticed that the doors, windows, and wooden furniture in your home are crumbling and falling to the ground? Or have there been small holes under the wood? Then it is very likely that it is the work of termites. Termites are like silent killers. They gradually eat away at the valuable wooden furniture in our homes, such as the wooden beams on the roof. This is one of the biggest damages that can happen to a house. The main and most effective solution to this is to fumigate the house. But since this is a bit of a serious matter, there are a few things that we all need to be aware of before doing that. Let's talk about it today.

Who are these termites really?

Simply put, termites are a type of wood-eating insect. They come from underground and crawl into our homes, and without us knowing, they start eating the wood. The damage caused by these termites is very serious, especially in areas with a dry climate. In some countries, people spend billions of dollars a year repairing the damage caused by termites and controlling them. Therefore, this problem should not be underestimated.

How do you get rid of termites?

If you suspect that you have termites in your home, the best thing to do is to talk to an expert. Trying to do this on your own is a lot harder. They may come and try simple methods, such as spraying a small amount of poison in a small area.

But if the termite population is very high, meaning it has spread throughout the house, then such small measures will not work. That is when we have to go to the next step. That is to completely destroy the termites by fumigating the house. This is what we call `structural fumigation` or `termite tenting`.

What do you mean by smoking in this house?

What happens in this is that you completely cover your entire house with something like a big tent. Some houses you may have seen are covered with a big colorful cloth. That's it. The purpose of covering the house with this tent is to allow the poisonous gas that enters the house to spread to every corner of the house without leaking out at all.

This method is used not only to control termites, but also to control other annoying insects. For example:

• Other wood-destroying beetles
• Bed bugs
• Cockroaches
• Clothes moths
• Rat-like animals

In this process, a tent is placed around the house and a toxic gas is filled inside for a specific period of time. This gas penetrates every space inside the house and completely destroys termites and other insects that are hiding there. The cost of this depends on factors such as the size of the house.

What chemicals are used for this?

This is a very important part. Two main types of chemicals are used for this. It is very important for our safety to clearly understand their function.

Because both of these chemicals are very powerful, they can only be used by those registered and trained by the government.

Is this smoking really safe?

This is the most important question. Yes, this process is safe if done properly and according to the rules. But we all need to follow the instructions exactly.

Exposure to these chemicals is very dangerous. Even small amounts of exposure can cause a variety of symptoms.

• Symptoms of mild exposure:
• Inflammation of the eyes and respiratory system
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakness, weakness
• Vomiting and stomach ache
• Slowing of speech and movements

Overexposure to these gases can cause permanent damage to the lungs and kidneys, and even death. So this is not a game to play. You should avoid going indoors when there is smoke.

What to do in an emergency?

If you have the slightest suspicion that you or someone in your family has been exposed to this toxic gas, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Also talk to your doctor about this.

How do you prepare your home before smoking?

The company doing this work will give you a safety instruction sheet. You should read it carefully and follow it exactly. Generally, these are the things you should do:

• Remove all people and pets (including fish tanks) from the house.
• Remove all food, drinks, medicines, and vitamins from the house. You should also remove everything from the fridge and freezer.
• Take out all the plants in the house.
• It is safest to remove fabric-covered items such as sofas, chairs, and mattresses . If not possible, cover them well with fumigation bags.
• Turn off anything that lights up, such as the pilot light on a gas stove.
• Remove items covered with plastic (e.g., plastic mattress covers) as it is difficult for toxic gases to pass through plastic.

What happens after smoking?

After the specified time, the company will remove the tent and allow the house to be well ventilated. Then, using a special device, they will measure the level of toxins in the air inside the house. Only when the levels of toxins fall below the safe limit (usually less than one part per million (1 ppm) for sulfuryl fluoride) will you be allowed to enter the house.

If you have any questions about this process, please ask the company directly.