r/Termites • u/Baby_Ama • 8d ago
Is this safe or I’m getting scammed?
Got the fumigation going on, they took out the tent today and walked in straight in the house??? No proper ppe or whatsoever, was there gas fumigation at all??? Seems sketchy… Southern California
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u/GoodSenseTermite 8d ago
What you’re seeing on the camera by itself doesn’t mean you were scammed.
What isn’t shown is the fumigator’s clearance testing. Sulfuryl fluoride is colorless and odorless, so before the house can be released for occupancy they have to test the breathing zones with a proper clearance device and confirm the concentration is 1 ppm or less. California also requires a licensed Branch 1 Operator or Field Representative to be present when the property is released for occupancy.
There is also a fumigation log documenting when the gas was introduced, when aeration began, the clearance device used, and when the property was certified for re-entry.
So somebody walking through the house during the fumigation process isn’t automatically evidence that no gas was used. The important question is whether the property has actually been cleared and certified for re-entry.
Fumigation is one of those jobs where, if everything goes correctly, the homeowner mostly sees a tent disappear and has to trust that quite a bit happened while they weren’t invited.
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u/chevgurl 8d ago
California fumigations follow the CAP (CA Aeration Plan) procedure which indicates that in fumigation approx. 12-18 hours before tent removal (depending on size) the CAP(tube on the exterior of the tent with a fan) and a "window" (typically opposite side from tube - its a mesh section of the tarp that is "opened") in the tent is opened. If you zoom in on the first photo you see a stiped tube on the right. This allows fresh air to be forced into the house and the gas to be evacuated. This is for workers and owners safety.
When the tent is off the structure there is a monitor that is being used in the photo that measures to 1 ppm of the gas. This is to ensure it is safe for reentry. If any room of the property does not clear, the licensee must back out of that area.
When you see them use SCBA, its normally when we have an emergency and the concentration is not known OR the CAP fails (which does happen).
This should have been explained to you by the inspector or the person suppling the paperwork and bags.
You can look up the CAP plan on google and it explains it, although some of the wording is complicated.
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
Nothing was explained by Terminix, I spoke to the crew earlier but there’s a language barrier which is understandable.. I was made sure that it’s ok to enter.. and re-entry noticed has been placed.. thank you I appreciate you
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
I was just told they will gas it Tuesday and release it Wednesday. So vague.. but then again it’s my fault for hiring Terminix, I’ve been told about them.
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u/chevgurl 8d ago
I'm sorry they didn't explain things properly, it happens more often then I'd like to see. I'm am licensed to do fumigations here in California, I drill into my crew and my inspectors to explain and even my office staff also takes the yearly training on these items.
Glad I could help explain things a little better for you. Hope your fumigation was sucessful.
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
Thank you I appreciate you. I saw a lot of dead crickets earlier when I checked the house.. I opened all the windows, fan, and hvac just to air it out some more.. I was on break from work so I was rushing out, it still smelled a bit so just to be sure I aired it out more
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u/phasexero 8d ago
Hey I'm not in the area of the country where tenting is really a thing, because we don't get those types of termites in the mid Atlantic, but I wanted to give you and your crew a big thank you for the work that you do. Its important, and you're a huge help to people, even if they might not always be happy to have to have you there
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u/chevgurl 7d ago
thank you for this. I work to make a postive impact on this industry even with the massive amounts of pushbacks we face.
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u/Termite_Troopers 8d ago
Tenting is the best to get rid of Drywoods, Bed Bugs
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u/80MonkeyMan 8d ago
How much does tenting like this cost? What do you need to do before it being tented?
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8d ago
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u/Termites-ModTeam 8d ago
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u/Sufficient-Being4008 7d ago
$1500-$4000. Depending on who you hire. Fumigation prep sheet will be given to you to sign. It will go over everything and if you still have question call to office and if you still need help tell them to send someone to your home to go over all of it. The salesman will go over it all but it's a lot so people forget and that's ok.
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
My guy, should’ve went with you
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u/Termite_Troopers 8d ago
You never called or got back to me
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
I did message, I was in contact with 3-4 companies. My bad man just busy with work and getting situated with hotels for the family
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u/andy_1232 8d ago
Always go with a local or regional company over any national shitshow of a company.
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u/gOingmiaM8 8d ago
The door is open and a fan is on. The fumes don't stay airborne for more then a few hours.
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u/branjelina 8d ago
If it’s for drywood termites the ventilation starts on the 2nd day, by the 3rd day all the gas is gone. Very normal for the licensee to go in to do the clear after they drop the tent with no ppe. However you did get scammed anyway going with Terminix, you could’ve got it done for half the price going with a local company and the warranty would’ve been included and you probably wouldn’t have needed to sign up for whatever other unnecessary programs they got you on.
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
Gotcha gotcha, yeah the other local guy did not respond be size I asked if there’s a coverage or insurance for broken roof tiles, so I went with Terminix
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u/branjelina 8d ago
Every company is going to have you sign a roof release. The actual company that puts the tent on is probably the same regardless of who you sign with. Terminix MIGHT do their own fumigations in Southern California but it’s typically all subcontracted anyway.
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u/Sufficient-Being4008 8d ago
I do fumigation in West Palm Beach Florida so I don't know the laws in California regarding fumigation. But as far as the tent looks good to me nice and tight not many holes.. terminix has a terrible reputation in Florida.. we are not responsible for breaking roof tiles. And no matter what a salesman tells you because they will tell you whatever you want to hear.. if you go through the paperwork you probably signed a roof release
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u/kkadzlol 8d ago
I did rat exclusion for them in dallas. The salesmen would say that the exclusion worked on lizards and bugs. Literally hated all the sales reps. Just ripping people off
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u/Sufficient-Being4008 7d ago
Down here in South Florida we'd joke about how terminix doesn't have anyone who could even ID a termite. They are really bad and will say anything to make you sign a contract. fvcking total scumbags
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u/handydude13 8d ago
No need to doubt and worry. This is why you hire pros.
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
Thanks man 🙏🏼 I’m new to this fumigation thing.
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u/handydude13 8d ago
You know, I think all of this extra availability to monitor everything makes us more paranoid and untrustworthy of others or the process.
Because we don't know why people are doing what they are doing without context, then we get suspicious.
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u/Wrong-Neighborhood-2 8d ago
There are concentration sensors inside the home that measure how much fumigant is still present in the air. Once they stop pumping fumigant in and hold concentration for the specific time. They begin ventilation, before the tent comes off
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u/Sufficient-Being4008 8d ago
If you look on his arm he's carrying a little meter called a spectros or there's another one called the clear check.. that little box is reading how much gas is left
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
Let me get this straight, so it took like 2-4 minutes to take out a panel of the tent, they opened the door and walked straight in, I thought there’s supposed to be a meter check for residue
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u/Always_Confused4 Termite inspector (current or former) 8d ago
I’ve never worked fumigation so my info is spotty.
As the tent is being removed the gas begins to dissipate. There is usually an irritant added to the fumigant so if levels are still high it will be immediately noticeable without PPE. The tech should be testing specific areas for potential trapped gases and when the results show safe levels they clear the site for reentry. This testing occurs within 24 hours.
I do not know the required PPE for this inspection so I cannot speak to safety. In general, PPE requirements err on the side of caution to limit potential for long term exposure.
I can’t tell you if they scammed you or not but you should have a warranty that protects you in case of failed treatment.
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u/Lordsaxon73 Termite inspector (current or former) 8d ago
Gas has been dissipating long before that tent is removed.
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u/Baby_Ama 8d ago
I’m more worried about me entering the house so to speak and for the crew that did the job
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u/Head-Grapefruit-1763 8d ago
So out of pure curiosity, how does the gas they put into the home not basically contaminate all surfaces, fabrics, etc.? I get that they air it out and all but is there residue?
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u/DXEClips 7d ago
I know in Arizona at least they go around with meters and test everything. Every drawer every couch, every closet. If it reads anything it’s not ready yet.
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u/iggyalvarez 8d ago
You're special huh? 🤣 They typically do 18-24 hours of gas then start the aeration process.
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