The Costs and Process of Fumigating a House for Pest Infestation

The Cost of Fumigating a House in the USA

Fumigating a house to get rid of termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, and other pests is a common need for many homeowners in the United States. However, the costs associated with fumigation can vary quite a bit depending on the size of the home, the extent of the infestation, and your location.

Average Cost of Fumigation

On average, fumigating a standard 2,000 square foot single-family home will cost $1,000 to $2,500. Here's a breakdown of the typical costs:

• Fumigation Preparation: $200 - $800. Includes sealing up the house, bagging food and belongings, and confirming occupancy has vacated the area.
• Fumigation Chemicals and Labor: $800 - $1,700. Cost for the fumigant gases and professional fumigator's time.

Additional fumigation services like clearing out clutter, post-treatment insecticide sprays, or extensive follow up visits can raise the total cost higher. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for a basic fumigation job, with costs going up based on the size of home, existing infestation levels, and your location.

Factors That Increase Fumigation Costs

There are several variables that can increase the total costs of fumigating a home:

• Size of Home - Larger square footage means more fumigant chemicals needed. Treating a 5,000 sq ft home could be double the cost of a 2,500 sq ft home.
• Extent of Infestation - Heavy infestations over multiple areas of the home may require extra fumigant and treatment time, hiking up costs.
• Clutter Removal - If there's excess furniture, storage, and clutter inside the home, clearing it out pre-fumigation could add $200-$500 or more.
• Multi-Unit Structures - Treating condos, apartments, and multi-family dwellings is more complex and may require temporarily vacating surrounding units.
• Pest Type - Difficult to eradicate pests like bed bugs may warrant stronger fumigants and specialized processes.
• Location - Pricing is usually based on the typical costs to service that area. Large metro areas are often more expensive.

Saving on Fumigation Costs

Here are some tips that can help you save on fumigation costs for your home:

• Get multiple quotes - Prices can vary over 50% between companies, so get estimates from at least 3 local providers.
• Ask about pricing factors - Make sure you understand exactly what's driving the total cost and see if any parts are negotiable.
• Remove clutter yourself beforehand - Clearing out clutter on your own can save $200 or more in prep fees.
• Schedule in the off-season - Fumigation pricing is often lower in the cooler fall and winter months when demand decreases.
• Pay attention to the contract - Read all agreements closely so you know exactly what is covered and what isn't.

DIY Fumigation Is Not Recommended

While chemical foggers and bug bombs can be purchased at many home improvement stores, fumigating a whole house yourself is not realistic or safe. The highly concentrated fumigant chemicals used require special licensing and training to use legally and correctly.

Improper DIY fumigation can risk:

• Ineffective treatment and continued infestation issues
• Damage to belongings inside the home
• Residual chemical contamination
• Injury or illness due to inhalation

Leave full house fumigations to trained professional pest control companies. They will have the right equipment, knowledge, and fumigants to quickly, effectively, and safely treat your home.

Choosing a Professional Fumigation Company

Make sure to research and vet any fumigation company thoroughly before hiring. Key factors to consider include:

• Licensing - They should have all required state pesticide licenses and training to perform fumigations legally.
• Experience - Look for companies that have been in business for a long time and have extensive fumigation experience.
• Process - They should follow all safety protocols throughout the preparation, fumigation, aeration, and clearance testing process.
• References - Reputable fumigators should be able to provide references from satisfied customers.
• Guarantee - Many companies offer guarantees if pests return after treatment, giving you peace of mind.

Taking the time to carefully compare multiple fumigation companies will help ensure you get safe, effective, and affordable treatment.

Safety Tips for Home Fumigations

If you are having your home fumigated, make sure to follow these important safety measures:

• Completely vacate the home during treatment - All people and pets must leave.
• Adhere to the recommended clearance time - Don't re-enter until the fumigant gases have aired out and been tested.
• Remove or double bag food/medicine - Anything consumed or inhaled must be protected or removed.
• Turn off pilot lights and utilities - Gas appliances need to be shut off to avoid fire risks.
• Follow all instructions - Comply with any preparation and post-treatment guidelines given.
• Watch for signs of leaks - If you smell fumes or see pests after treatment, call the company immediately.

Carefully following all safety recommendations helps ensure the fumigation goes smoothly and prevents unnecessary exposures or risks.

Fumigating a Home for Different Pest Types

While processes are similar, home fumigations may use different fumigant chemicals depending on the type of pest infestation:

Termites

Sulfuryl fluoride is most often used to fumigate for drywood termites and other wood-boring insects. It soaks deep into wood to kill entire colonies.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are commonly fumigated using hydrogen cyanide or Vikane gas. Follow-up chemical treatments are usually also needed.

Cockroaches

Harder to eradicate roach infestations may warrant Vikane or methyl bromide fumigation. Multiple follow-up sprays are recommended.

Rodents

Rodent fumigations rely on lethal phosphine gas release. All burrows and entry points also need to be sealed off.

Regardless of the pest, the home will need to be thoroughly prepared and sealed before releasing the fumigant inside.

When to Fumigate vs Other Treatment Options

Fumigation makes sense when:

• There is a severe, established infestation
• Pests are widespread throughout a structure
• Other intensive treatments have failed
• Immediate, thorough eradication is needed

For small or localized infestations, more targeted pest control methods like:

• Insecticide sprays
• Traps and baits
• Heat or cold treatments
• Manual removal and exclusion

May be effective and more affordable options to try first. The pros and cons of each method should be reviewed carefully.

Preventing Future Infestations After Fumigation

To help maintain pest-free conditions after fumigating, homeowners should:

• Identify and seal up pest entry points
• Store food in sealed containers
• Declutter to reduce harborage spots
• Keep the home clean and dry
• Use preventative insecticide treatments
• Conduct regular inspections

Addressing conditions that allow pests to infest in the first place provides the best long-term prevention after fumigation.

Professional Fumigation for Pest Free Living

While fumigating your home is a significant investment, it can provide thorough, fast-acting treatment when facing a major pest infestation. Paying attention to the key cost factors, hiring reputable fumigators, following all safety steps, and taking preventative measures after treatment will help ensure you get long-lasting pest elimination from the process.

FAQs

How long does it take to fumigate a house?

The fumigation process usually takes 2-5 days from start to finish. Day 1 involves sealing up the house and releasing the gas. The home then stays sealed up for 1-3 days to ensure thorough treatment. After that, aeration takes 1-2 days before the home is cleared for re-entry.

Can you stay in your house during fumigation?

No, all occupants along with pets must fully vacate the home for the duration of the fumigation. The concentrated pesticide gases used are extremely hazardous if inhaled.

How do you prepare for home fumigation?

To prepare, you need to bag or remove any exposed food/meds, take pets out of the home, turn off pilot lights, clear any necessary clutter, and follow any other directions from the fumigation company.

Does home insurance cover fumigation?

Whether fumigation is covered depends on your specific insurance policy. Some cover the costs for treatment of termite or pest damage, while others may exclude chemical treatments.

Are there any health risks from home fumigation?

If done correctly by a licensed professional, the health risk is very low. Homeowners do need to strictly follow all preparation steps and stay out of the home during treatment to avoid any exposure issues.