Structure Fumigation
Fumigation in San Mateo, CA
101 Exterminators performs structural fumigation in San Mateo when a drywood termite infestation has spread past what local treatment can reach, using Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) under SPCB Lic. #9119. Older Baywood and Hayward Park houses hold decades of framing behind lath, plaster and stucco, where evidence in three or four separated members rarely means only three or four galleries. We inspect before we recommend it.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Fumigation Service in San Mateo
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 San Mateo
Every job follows the same methodical approach — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Here is what to expect when you work with us in San Mateo.
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 San Mateo
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 San Mateo
Can an attached townhouse at Bay Meadows or Hillsdale be fumigated?
Attached construction limits fumigation and sometimes rules it out. A tent has to seal to the ground around a complete structure, so an attached unit generally means fumigating the entire building rather than one address, which takes the association, the owner and every occupant coordinating. In much of San Mateo's attached stock we go to local treatment instead — drill-and-inject or borate work on accessible framing. The inspection decides which is realistic.
What happens to the mature trees over my Baywood house during a fumigation?
Limbs touching or overhanging the roof usually need trimming back before the tarps go on, and the crew protects landscaping at the tent perimeter. That is a real consideration in San Mateo Park and Baywood, where oaks and street trees often sit directly over the structure. We flag it at the pre-fumigation inspection so it becomes scheduled work instead of a morning-of problem. Houseplants come out; in-ground planting at the drip line gets covered as needed.
How do I know the gas is gone before my family goes back into the house?
Clearance is measured, not estimated. After the required exposure period the structure is aerated on a set protocol, and a certified clearance company takes readings inside before the seal is released and anyone re-enters. You do not go back in on our word alone — the clearance is documented. We hand you the preparation checklist for food, medications and plants well ahead of the date so nothing has to be sorted out that morning.
Local Pest Pressure
Common Pests We Treat in San Mateo
Every area has its own pest profile shaped by climate, housing, and geography. These are the pests we see and treat most often in San Mateo — tap any one to learn how to identify it and what treatment involves.
Fumigation · San Mateo
Free Limited Fumigation Inspection in San Mateo
CA licensed and insured. Written estimate before any work begins. Same-day response available for urgent situations in San Mateo.