How to Fumigate and Get Rid of Pests Once and For All

Nobody wants to live in a home with pests. Whether you’re battling roaches, termites, bed bugs, or any other type of invasive creepy crawly, fumigation might be your best bet for getting rid of them and finally getting your home back. Below, we’ll go over all of the basics that you need to know about how to fumigate, including how to do it safely and when it’s worth calling in the professionals.

What is Fumigation?

Fumigation is the use of fumigants (gaseous chemicals) to suffocate and kill pests within a structure. It is an invasive procedure that requires all other humans and animals to be outside of the home for anywhere from several hours to an entire week, so it is not often a first line of defense. However, particularly stubborn pest infestations may require fumigation to be effectively taken care of.

Professional Fumigation vs. Do-It-Yourself Fumigation

One of the first steps in figuring out how to fumigate your home is deciding whether it’s a job that can be done on your own or if you’re going to need to hire the pros to do it for you. There are a few factors to consider.

The extent of the infestation. Localized and/or small infestations may be effectively treatable with DIY fumigation products. Widespread and/or large infestations, however, may require tenting and a more extensive fumigation process, in which case you will probably be better off going straight to a professional fumigation company.

Price and convenience. DIY pest control requires fogger bombs, which spread fumigants throughout your home. They can be picked up at home improvement stores for about $10 to $100, depending on the square footage of the area that you are treating. They can also be used on your own time (though you’ll still need to vacate your home for a set period).

Professional fumigators will cost you a bit more—the average is about $170 though the service can cost up to $500, according to HomeAdvisor—and you’ll need to schedule and wait for an appointment.

Safety. Spreading gaseous pesticides throughout your home is no small matter. If the fumigation process is done incorrectly, you are putting the health of your family, your pets, and other nearby people and animals at serious risk. Make sure that you fully understand the process and the risks before fumigating on your own, and if you’re at all worried about doing it right, hire professionals for peace of mind.

Going the DIY Route? Here’s How to Fumigate on Your Own

If you’ve done the research on how to fumigate and you think that you’re good to take care of it without professional assistance, then follow the steps below to tackle the pest control process with store-bought fumigators

Pick a fumigation product
There are a variety of fogger bombs for pests out there. Choose the one that best fits your needs in terms of the size of the space that you’re treating and the type of pest that you’re dealing with. Keep your budget in mind too, though it’s important to note that cheaper might not always be better here since saving money on cheap home fumigation products might mean spending more later on when they don’t work.
Make a plan
DIY fumigation isn’t just something that you can do when you’ve got some spare time on the weekend. You’ll need to vacate your home entirely for at least a couple of hours, and you’ll need to take your pets with you. Other items that cannot be exposed to fumigants include plants that you consume (think herb gardens on the kitchen windowsill), as well as things like glassware and silverware. Keep the latter items stored away where the gases won’t be able to reach them, and give them a thorough cleaning after fumigating just to be sure. Properly prep any aquariums too by turning off air pumps to the tank and sealing the tops off with plastic. Here are additional fumigation safety precautions you should be sure to follow.
Prepare your home for fumigation
Follow the directions on the fogger bombs you purchased very carefully. These products should not be placed in small areas like drawers or cabinets, but if you do need to treat those areas open their doors so the gas can get in. Securely close all doors and windows that lead to the outdoors and shut off fans and your heating/cooling system, then temporarily disable your home’s smoke detectors.
Set your foggers
Again, follow package directions carefully. Most fogger bombs should be placed on a surface, such as a chair or a table. Make sure your home is completely prepped before setting them off, and that all family members and pets are safely out of the house. Once you have all the fogger bombs set up where you want them, set off each one and get out of the house as fast as you can, closing and securing the door behind you. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth so that you don’t accidentally inhale any of the gaseous chemicals as you set off the bombs.
Wait it out
Do not go back into your home any earlier than what’s designated on the fumigation product packaging. This is for your own safety, and it gives the product proper time to do its job (the longer you can let it sit, the better). After the allotted time has passed, put your mask back on and go inside. Once there, collect the foggers for disposal and open all doors and windows to begin airing out the space. Leave the house and allow the area to completely air out for at least a couple of hours before returning.

Bigger Job? Call in the Pros

If you tried do-it-yourself fumigation and it didn’t work as well as you wanted it to, or if you just know it’s a task that you’d rather leave to the pros, hire professional fumigators who can help you tackle pest problems as efficiently as possible. Read up on our tips for how to hire service providers for your home so that you can be sure to choose a reputable company.