The Hidden Downsides Of Fumigation Pest Control

When you are facing a significant infestation of unwanted pests, fumigation is an option for a home or business. This involves using an airborne pesticide that can reach all areas of a building with less human labor required. You are able to eradicate many types of pests through this method, making it a popular selection in many circumstances. However, there are plenty of downsides to fumigation, some of which may not be entirely obvious at first glance. Such issues can include the overall cost, the inability to target certain pests or organisms, the loss of the use of the space for a few days, finding the right  pest control experts who will handle the job professionally, hassles with preparing for the treatment, a potential inability to treat when temperatures are too low, and the overall danger of introducing the toxic gas to your home or business environment.

Perhaps the biggest downside to choosing fumigation is finding a way to ensure the process goes safely. Some of the things you should consider before hiring professional pest control for fumigation include the experience level of the company. The exterminator should have a checklist in place that shows the exact safety steps it will take to protect your property and to keep everyone in the area safe. Make sure the company is willing to obtain any necessary permits for you, as required by your local government. It should also offer a warranty and a guarantee for the quality of the work.

One of the reasons why people and companies choose fumigation is because of its effectiveness for eliminating pests, no matter if they're out in the open or if they're hiding in a crevice or behind a floor board. Such effectiveness is why people are willing to pay the costs when fumigating the home of $1 to $4 per square foot. However, this effectiveness also means that you may end up killing some organisms that are helpful to plants. If you perform a soil fumigation, it could remove organisms, microorganisms, and predators that are helpful for controlling pests in soil.

Of course, the poisonous gas is dangerous to people and pets in the area, too. This can be a significant safety concern if the pest control company does not take the necessary precautions. It's important that you understand the dangers, as even a small amount of the airborne toxins could make someone very sick or could cause permanent health problems.

Make certain that neighbors and family members are aware of the danger and that they do not enter the fumigation tent until the pest control company takes air-quality measurements that ensure the environment is safe. The entire process can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. As an additional potential danger, some of the products used in fumigation can be flammable, which emphasizes the importance of selecting a pest control company that knows how to handle these chemicals safely.

Another significant downside to selecting fumigation for pest control is the need to prepare the home or business for the process. Your fumigation company should give you a detailed list of the steps you need to take to protect your items that will be left in the home.

Start by removing items that are living or that you may ingest. If you have houseplants or pets in aquariums like lizards or fish, you should take these items outside the building before the release of the toxic gas. If you have an aquarium that simply isn't moveable, you may need to temporarily remove the animals inside them. You should take all items that you may eat, including food, liquids, and medications, outside the building before the treatment process begins. However, if cans, bottles, and jars remain with their original seals, you should be able to leave them inside the home.

You also may need to turn off the pilot light on your gas furnace or other gas appliances. You may need to turn off the gas supply, although you should be able to leave the electrical power and water supply turned on, depending on the recommendations of the pest control company. If you have children's mattresses that have a plastic seal or furniture with plastic covers, these should be removed or opened. The plastic may allow the fumigation gas to remain in place for longer than it should via natural dissipation.