Fumigation handles an entire structure at once. The building is wrapped in tarps and filled with a gas that seeps into walls, furniture and stored belongings. It is the most thorough bed bug option and is saved for cases where bugs have spread through the whole home or building.
When It Is Worth Considering
- Bugs show up in almost every room.
- Earlier heat or chemical work did not solve it.
- There are too many belongings to treat piece by piece.
- A small building needs every unit treated together.
How Structural Fumigation Works in California
- MeasureThe structure is measured and you get a list of items to bag or take out.
- TentTarps seal the building and warning signs go up.
- ReleaseA licensed fumigator introduces the gas for the required exposure time.
- ClearTarps come off, the air is vented and a meter confirms it is safe.
Fumigation and Antioch Buildings
Tenting is familiar to California homeowners from termite jobs, and bed bug fumigation follows a similar routine. In Antioch it comes up mostly for a badly infested house or a small multi-unit building where every apartment has to be done at once. Because it takes planning with tenants and neighbors, ask the company why tenting is better than heat or chemicals for your case.
Preparing to Leave
- Take out food, medicine and pet food, or seal them in the special bags provided.
- Arrange 2 to 3 nights away for everyone, pets included.
- Water plants near the foundation and cut back any touching the walls.
- Make sure the crew can get to all sides of the building.
Questions About Fumigation
How do I know it is safe to go back in?
A licensed fumigator airs out the building and uses a meter to confirm the gas is gone. You return only after they clear it.
Will bed bugs stay away after tenting?
Not by themselves. The gas leaves no residue, so bugs brought in later can start again. Many companies add a residual treatment afterward.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Antioch. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.