Fumigation is a process whereby fumigants (consisting of a variety of chemicals) are used for pest control or extermination. Pest presence is known to be responsible for all sorts of issues.
With fumigation, you get to eliminate them from homes, processed goods, buildings as well as surroundings.
How Fumigation Works
So, how does fumigation work? In this article, we’ll attempt to provide you with comprehensive answers. While doing so, we’ll touch on important aspects of fumigation worth knowing.
That way, you’re well informed to take appropriate actions for your pest issues.
Stating the Obvious
Before we commence our discussion, it’s necessary to state a fact! Fumigation is only necessary after a pest infestation. Prevention is the best way to keep pests at bay. It’s even better than fumigation as it won’t require the use of chemicals which may be toxic.
So, fumigation should only come as a last resort when all efforts at containing a pest problem have failed. Having established this fact, let’s jump right into our discussion.
Common Fumigation Options
To understand how fumigation works, you’ll need to know the types of fumigation available to you. This is necessary as pest control companies will only fumigate using the ideal type of fumigation method that fits a particular pest issue.
There are three basic methods of fumigation; these include liquid fumigation, solid fumigation, and gas fumigation. Each of these serves a purpose and is ideal for specific or unique situations.
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Liquid Fumigation
As suggested by the name, liquid fumigants are used to perform this type of fumigation. Common targets are pests such as insects and molds. Liquid fumigants come in concentrates that require dilution with solutes such as water before application.
Sprayers are important equipment and indispensable to the application of liquid fumigants. For liquid fumigation to be safe, it will require enclosures such as fumigation chambers. Some liquid fumigants are best applied outdoors for safety reasons.
There’s a long list of products used for fumigation. These range from methyl bromide, carbon disulfide, ethylene dichloride, ethyl acetate, sulfuryl fluoride, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride among others.
Most liquid fumigants are flammable, volatile, and toxic. This calls for proper safety precautions when using. Some of these products are only approved for professional use. Experienced pest technicians are well trained and know all the safety procedures for use including the wearing of protective gear.
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Solid Fumigation
Solid fumigation is another type that involves the use of solid fumigants in the form of pellets, tablets, and powders. Studies have shown that solid fumigants are less risky or dangerous than gaseous fumigants. Plus, these fumigants are friendlier to the environment.
Solid fumigation is mostly adopted for agricultural products such as grain, cotton, tea, offer, and more. When applied, it kills off all pests which cause damage to such crops. Examples of solid fumigants include calcium cyanide and aluminum phosphide.
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Gas Fumigation
Gas fumigants are released into a controlled environment in a gaseous state. This colorless gas is highly risky and can lead to death when exposed to it. For home or structure to be fumigated using gas fumigants, it will need to be gas-proofed.
In other words, an encasing or protective covering that traps the gas within the structure for a specified length of time is necessary. Such encasing ensures that toxic gas fumigants do not escape and cause problems to people when inhaled.
Gas fumigation is used to solve a wide range of pest issues. These include pests in agricultural produce such as tree nuts, cereal grains, and dry fruits. Others include weeds, rodents, nematodes, termites, and other insects.
Before this fumigant is applied, the coverage area must be cleared of all animals or pets as well as humans. This helps avoid poisoning which may lead to death.
Fumigation For All Pest Types
Whether you’re faced with pests that hide deep within woods (such as termites), food, or lay siege around and on your bed (such as bed bugs), fumigation gets to them all. These pests are flushed out and eliminated when the right procedure is followed.
Processing and manufacturing plants such as those involved in food processing or pharmaceutical companies among others are easily treated for pests using fumigants.
Can My Structure Be Fumigated?
One of the questions that have been raised by people in need of fumigation services has to do with the scale of their structures. This is understandable due to the doubts they have about coverage. Irrespective of scale, improvement in technology has enhanced fumigation service delivery.
So, whether you own a packaging warehouse, a single-family unit, a food processing plant, seed processors, residential structure, or are into feed manufacturing, etc, there’s always a solution for your pest issues. Fumigation companies will take on whatever problem it is whether big or small.
Using A Reputable Fumigation Service
Pest management companies have different capacities and capabilities. Not all should be considered for a fumigation job. Luckily, there are lots of online resources or reviews about the best fumigation services nearest to your location.
Reviews highlight the strengths and weaknesses of such companies and are dropped by people who have used such service in the past. It’s necessary to go for those with higher ratings as these tend to be more reliable in pest control
Nobody Stays-in During Fumigation
One of the ways fumigation works is that the entire structure needs to be evacuated. This includes everyone including kids and pets. This is most common for gas fumigation as it penetrates every crevice, cracks, and tight spaces to get to pests.
Before this process commences, the entire structure is tented with a gas-proof or leak-proof covering. This helps trap the gas in for an acceptable time duration. After the gas must have permeated and killed the targeted pests, the tents are removed and the structure is aerated for an acceptable period of time. Only then is it considered safe to move into the structure.
Fumigation is one effective way to get rid of almost all types of pest issues. However, we’ve seen that it’s not as effective as the adoption of preventive measures.
With proper preventive measures, you won’t need to fumigate. This is how fumigation works.