Structure Fumigation
Fumigation in Redwood City, CA
101 Exterminators performs whole-structure fumigation in Redwood City using Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride), under SPCB Lic. #9119 and in business since 2005. Fumigation is a scope decision, not a default. When drywood termites turn up in framing in several rooms of a 1920s Craftsman off Jefferson Avenue, gas reaches galleries that drilling and injection cannot. We inspect and document the extent before recommending it.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Fumigation Service in Redwood City
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 Redwood City
Every job follows the same methodical approach — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Here is what to expect when you work with us in Redwood City.
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 Redwood City
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 Redwood City
Can a house on a small downtown Redwood City lot be tented?
Usually yes, though a tight lot changes the preparation. Tenting needs working clearance around the structure and a way to seal the tarp at grade, so narrow side yards, fences, overhanging trees and shared driveways get checked before a date is set. Neighbors are notified and warning signs posted as required. On very constrained downtown lots we look hard at whether local treatment can do the job instead.
Does fumigation clear a Section 1 termite finding for a Redwood City escrow?
Yes — a completed fumigation clears Section 1 drywood termite findings, and we issue the Notice of Work Completed that lenders and escrow companies ask for. Section 2 items such as wood-to-soil contact or a moisture condition in the sub-area are separate and are not resolved by gas. Buyers and agents on Peninsula transactions usually want both addressed before closing, so we list them plainly instead of burying them.
Will tenting a Redwood City house kill the plants in the yard?
Landscaping outside the tarp is generally unaffected, but plants and cut flowers inside the structure have to come out, and we water and sometimes trim vegetation touching the walls before the tarp goes down. Ground cover sitting under the tarp edge can be crushed or stressed. We walk the perimeter with you beforehand so nothing you care about is a surprise afterward.
Local Pest Pressure
Common Pests We Treat in Redwood City
Every area has its own pest profile shaped by climate, housing, and geography. These are the pests we see and treat most often in Redwood City — tap any one to learn how to identify it and what treatment involves.
Fumigation · Redwood City
Free Limited Fumigation Inspection in Redwood City
CA licensed and insured. Written estimate before any work begins. Same-day response available for urgent situations in Redwood City.