Structure Fumigation
Fumigation in Burlingame, CA
101 Exterminators performs structural fumigation in Burlingame when a drywood termite infestation has spread past what local treatment can reach, using Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) under SPCB Lic. #9119. It is a scope decision, not a panic decision. In a 1920s Burlingame Park house the framing sits behind lath and plaster inside and stucco outside, and evidence in four separate members rarely means only four galleries. We map the structure before we recommend it.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Fumigation Service in Burlingame
We manage the entire fumigation process: pre-fumigation inspection and documentation, structure tenting with certified fumigation tarps, introduction of Vikane fumigant to specified concentration, aeration protocol, post-fumigation clearance testing, and coordination with a certified fumigation clearance company before you return. We also provide bagging requirements and preparation guidance for food, medications, and plants.
Multiple locations of frass (termite pellets) throughout the structure — not just one area
Evidence of drywood termites in structural framing, not just surface wood
Previous localized treatments that have not resolved the infestation
Inspector-identified infestation in inaccessible areas (wall cavities, sealed areas)
WDO report showing extensive Section 1 conditions throughout the structure
Visible winged termites (swarmers) emerging from multiple locations
How It Works
Our Fumigation Process in Burlingame
Every job follows the same methodical approach — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Here is what to expect when you work with us in Burlingame.
Pre-Fumigation Inspection
We document all entry points, confirm the infestation scope, measure the structure for gas calculation, and review the preparation checklist with you at least 3 days before the fumigation date.
Structure Tenting
Our crew tents the entire structure with specialized fumigation tarps, sealed at the foundation to prevent gas escape. Neighbors are notified as required, and warning signs are posted.
Gas Introduction & Monitoring
Vikane is introduced to calculated concentration and held for the required exposure time. Readings are monitored throughout the process to confirm effective dosage.
Aeration & Clearance
The structure is thoroughly aerated until Vikane levels are below the safe entry threshold. A certified third-party inspector confirms clearance levels before we authorize re-entry.
Why 101 Exterminators
Fumigation You Can Count On in Burlingame
Complete Structure Coverage
Gas fumigant penetrates every void, cavity, and piece of wood in the structure — including areas impossible to reach with liquid or foam treatments.
Vikane — Industry Gold Standard
Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) is the most widely used and thoroughly studied structural fumigant. It leaves no residual after aeration — the structure is safe to re-enter after clearance.
Third-Party Clearance Testing
Re-entry is only authorized after independent clearance testing confirms gas levels are below threshold. No guesswork on when your home is safe.
Real Estate Compliant
Fumigation clears all Section 1 termite conditions for real estate transactions. We issue the required Completion Notice accepted by lenders and escrow companies.
Common Questions
Fumigation FAQs for Burlingame
Can an attached townhouse or condo near Burlingame Avenue be tented?
Usually not on its own. Fumigation requires sealing an entire structure, so an attached unit means the whole building gets tented, which makes it an association decision rather than an owner's. For those properties we lean on local treatment, meaning drill-and-inject and borates in accessible framing, plus a documented inspection the board can read. If the building does need whole-structure work, we coordinate the schedule and the notifications with the property manager.
What happens to the mature trees and landscaping around a Burlingame house during fumigation?
Plants under the tarp are the ones at risk, so we plan for them in the preparation walkthrough. Shrubs against the foundation may need trimming back or protection, and the crew works around the mature canopy overhanging roofs on the older Burlingame Park and Burlingame Terrace lots. We tell you ahead of the job what has to be moved, cut back, or watered heavily first. Nothing about the landscaping should be a discovery on tenting day.
After a Burlingame house is fumigated, can drywood termites come back?
Yes, because fumigation treats the structure as it stands and leaves no residue behind, so the wood is as attractive to a new swarmer afterward as it was before. That is why we pair it with the conditions work: sealing exposed wood, capping or painting bare beam ends, and correcting the moisture and wood-to-soil contact that shows up as Section 2 items. Annual re-inspection catches a new colony while it is still a spot treatment.
Local Pest Pressure
Common Pests We Treat in Burlingame
Every area has its own pest profile shaped by climate, housing, and geography. These are the pests we see and treat most often in Burlingame — tap any one to learn how to identify it and what treatment involves.
Fumigation · Burlingame
Free Pest Evaluation in Burlingame
CA licensed and insured. Written estimate before any work begins. Urgent situations in Burlingame are prioritized.