Fumigation treats a whole building at once. Tarps go over the house and a gas moves through the walls, furniture and stored belongings. Because it means leaving home for a few days, we only recommend it in Porterville when bugs have spread through most of a detached house.
When We Recommend Tenting
- Our inspection finds bugs in nearly every room.
- Earlier heat or chemical treatment did not last.
- Stored boxes and furniture fill so much of the house that treating room by room would miss spots.
- A detached back house needs treating at the same time as the main house.
How Tenting Works in California
- MeasureWe size the building and give you a written list of what to bag or remove.
- CoverTarps go up and warning signs are posted.
- TreatUnder a Branch 1 license, our fumigator releases the gas and holds it for the required time.
- VentilateTarps come down, the house airs out and meter readings decide when you return.
Fumigation in Porterville
Tenting fits detached single-family houses, which make up much of the housing in Porterville and East Porterville, including the many homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. Apartments and mobile homes are rarely tented for bed bugs, so heat or a chemical plan usually serves them better. In summer, plan the days away with the heat in mind for pets and older relatives.
Getting the House Ready
- Bag food, medicine and pet food in the special fumigation bags we supply, or take them with you.
- Arrange 2 to 3 nights away for everyone, pets included.
- Soak the ground along the foundation and cut back any shrubs touching the siding.
- Clear space around the house for the tarps.
Fumigation FAQ
Where will my family stay during fumigation?
You need somewhere to stay for 2 to 3 days, such as with relatives or at a hotel. Pets, including fish and birds, must go too. Our fumigator tells you when meter readings show it is safe to return.
Can a house with a back unit or granny flat be tented?
Sometimes both buildings are tented together, and sometimes the second one is treated with heat instead. It depends on how they are built and where the bugs are. We explain the options in the written quote.
About your request: Bed Bug Control CA runs its own bed bug inspections and treatments. A licensed technician comes out to your Porterville address to look for signs. Nothing is treated until you approve the price in writing.