Fumigation treats a whole structure in one go. Tarps seal the building and a gas fills it, reaching into walls, furniture and everything stored inside. It is the most complete bed bug option and is usually saved for cases that have spread through an entire home or small building.
When Tenting Is Worth a Look
- Signs show up in almost every room.
- Heat or chemical treatment has already been tried without success.
- There are too many belongings to treat item by item.
- All units in a small building need treatment at the same time.
How Structural Fumigation Works in California
- PlanThe building is measured and you get a list of items to bag or remove.
- TentTarps go over the structure and warning signs are posted.
- ReleaseThe licensed fumigator introduces the gas and holds it for the labeled exposure period.
- AerateCrews pull the tarps, ventilate every room and test with a meter until readings are clear.
Fumigation in a Tightly Built City
Many San Francisco homes share a wall or sit a few feet from the next building, so tenting takes careful planning with neighbors and is less common here than heat or chemical work. It tends to come up for a heavily infested single-family house in the western or southern neighborhoods, or a small building where every flat must be done together. Ask the company to explain why tenting beats the other options for your address.
Getting Ready to Leave
- Take out food, medicines and pet food, or seal them in the special bags the crew provides.
- Plan 2 to 3 nights away for everyone in the household, pets included.
- Water plants next to the building and trim any that touch the walls.
- Make sure the crew can reach every side of the structure.
Questions About Fumigation
Who says when it is safe to go back in?
A licensed fumigator. Once the tarps come off, the building is aired out and tested with a gas meter, and you are cleared to return only after that.
Does fumigation keep bed bugs away for good?
No. The fumigant does not linger, so a single bug that rides in afterward can begin another infestation. Some 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 San Francisco. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.