Fumigation in Los Angeles: When Tenting Is the Right Time

ByMy Termite Company
termite wood damage cross section

Los Angeles has it all — sunshine, palm trees, celebrity sightings… and unfortunately, termites.

If you have spotted some suspicious sand on your home’s floor (frass or termite poop, in plain English), or wood damage around your property, it might be time to roll out the big tent!

Fun Fact : Termites Never Sleep!

Yep, termites are the workaholics of the pest world. They eat 24/7 — which is admirable if they weren’t chewing through your home’s equity. Source : Medium.com

Is It Really Time to Fumigate?

If you’re wondering whether fumigation is a drastic step — it’s not. There are thousands of fumigations performed each year!

Fumigation Home

It’s simply the most effective way to eliminate drywood termites hiding deep in your walls, roof, and furniture. Unlike localized treatments, fumigation gets the whole house at once, reaching areas we can’t even see.

Typically, a home gets fumigated every 10 years or so, depending on the maintenance done on the home. If its been more or less on that timeframe. it may be time to fumigate!

Termites in wood

Signs you might need fumigation:

  • Your neighbors just tented (and you’re feeling next)
  • Damaged wood in various locations around your property
  • Discarded insect wings in or around your home
  • Unexplained sand or coffee grounds piling up
  • Flying insects in your home even after maintaining all doors and windows locked

If you have concerns, a quick inspection can bring a peace of mind! Click here to request an inspection.

Local Treatment vs. Fumigation: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to battling termites, homeowners often ask us: “Do I really need to tent my house, or can I just treat the problem locally?”

Below is a quick breakdown!

Local Termite Treatment VS Fumigation

Local Treatment

Think of local treatment as spot-cleaning a stain. We treat visible and accessible termite infestations using targeted products — great for minor or isolated problems.

Pros:

  • No need to leave your home
  • Cost-effective for small infestations
  • Quick and convenient

Cons:

  • Only effective in visible areas
  • Can miss hidden colonies in walls, attics, or furniture
  • May require repeat treatments

Click here for more information on Local Treatment

Fumigation

Fumigation is the whole-home solution — a gas treatment that penetrates every crevice, eliminating all drywood termites, even the ones you didn’t know were there.

Pros:

  • 100% eradication of drywood termites throughout the entire structure
  • Reaches hidden areas that local treatments can’t
  • Long-lasting peace of mind

Cons:

  • You’ll need to vacate your home for 2 nights
  • More prep involved (but don’t worry — we guide you every step)

Click here for more information on Fumigations

So Which One Do You Need?

  • Local treatment is ideal for small, isolated problems caught early.
  • Fumigation is the gold standard for widespread or advanced infestations.

If you’re not sure which one is right for your home, we’ll inspect and give you honest, expert recommendations — no pressure, just solutions.

What to Expect During a Fumigation?

What does that actually mean? Is your house going to look like a giant circus tent? (Yes.) Are you going to need to pack a bag? (Also yes.) But don’t stress — here’s the step-by-step of what happens during a fumigation:

1. Inspection & Confirmation

First, we inspect your home to make sure fumigation is necessary. Not every termite situation needs the tent — but if yours does, we’ll explain why and show you the evidence.

2. Scheduling & Prep

Once you’re on board, we schedule the fumigation and give you a detailed prep checklist, including:

  • Bagging food, medicine, and pet items
  • Arranging pet and plant care
  • Coordinating gas shut-off (don’t worry — we help with this!)
  • Making accommodations to be out for two nights (Three nights if it is over the weekend)

We walk you through it all so nothing is missed!

3. Tent Up & Treatment Day

Our licensed fumigators arrive to:

  • Wrap your home in a massive, sealed tent
  • Release a regulated fumigant gas (usually Vikane) into the structure
  • Let the gas circulate through every crack, crevice, wall, attic, and floorboard — where termites love to hide

This process takes 24–48 hours depending on the size of your home and the weather.

4. Aeration Process

After 18 hours, we aerate your home by opening window vents on the tarp to allow the chemical to evaporate. We turn on pre-installed fans to help push the chemical out of your home. This process takes 10-12 hours.

5. Return Home (Termite-Free!)

You return to a termite-free house — no residue, no smell, no more uninvited wood-chompers. We test the air using specialized equipment to ensure it’s 100% safe to re-enter. Only after the clearance is certified will you get the all-clear to come home.

And that is it! Seems to much? You may be interested in our VIP Fumigation Package!

Our VIP Fumigation Package

We handle the stress of preparing your home for fumigation!

We know fumigation isn’t just about killing termites — it’s about protecting your biggest investment and giving you total peace of mind. That’s why we created the VIP Fumigation Package: an exclusive, premium service designed for homeowners who want the white glove treatment from start to finish.

What’s Included in the VIP Experience?

1. Dedicated Fumigation Coordinator
Your personal coordinator will walk you through every step, from inspection to tent removal. Think of them as your termite concierge — available by phone, text, or email.

2. Priority Scheduling
Need it done ASAP? VIP clients get first-pick scheduling — even during the busy season.

3. Pre-Fumigation Home Prep Support
We will bag all of your food and medicine before the fumigation to ensure your home is 100% ready. In addition, we’ll trim any necessary branches or plants, scrape gravel or mulch, remove fencing — anything required to make sure the fumigation goes as smoothly as possible!

4. Pet & Plant Concierge
We will relocate your indoor plants and any potted plants within 2 feet of the structure’s perimeter to keep them protected during the fumigation (up to 30 lbs). We’ll also share our partnered pet sitters who can care for your pets while your home is being treated.

5. Post-Fumigation
We’ll return all food items, potted plants, and gravel or mulch back to their original places — so it’ll feel like nothing ever happened to your home!

With our VIP Fumigation Package, you’re not just getting a termite treatment — you’re getting peace of mind and a premium service! Our price starts as low as $500.00!

Ready to Tent Up?

If you’re dealing with termites or even just suspicious signs, don’t wait. Every day they munch away at your structure is another day of costly damage. Let us at My Termite Company give your home the top quality care it deserves!

✅ Call now for a free inspection
✅ Get $150 off fumigation until June 2025
📞 818-940-0203