Do You Really Need to Tent? When Fumigation Isn’t the Best Option
- Jameson Elam
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.
Introduction
You might have seen the image: your neighbor’s home wrapped in a tent, crews inside, everything evacuated. Tenting for termites can seem like the only way to deal with termite risk.
But the truth is, tenting—or whole‑structure fumigation—is not always the best option. For many Bay Area homes, a more targeted treatment plan offers protection with less disruption, cost, and inconvenience.
At Good Sense Termite we evaluate each home carefully and decide with you whether fumigation makes sense, or whether a localized, high‑quality approach is smarter given the type of termite, the size of the infestation, and your structure.
What is Tent Fumigation (Tenting)?
Tenting involves enclosing the entire structure under a heavy tarp, releasing a fumigant gas (commonly Sulfuryl fluoride) that penetrates all wood, interior spaces, walls, and hidden voids to kill termites.
When it’s typically used:
Large or widespread infestations of drywood termites
Many inaccessible areas (inside walls, attic framing)
Historical homes with multiple entry points or visible damage
Homes where a “full reset” is preferred
What you should expect if you tent:
You’ll need to vacate the home for 72 hours or more
You must prep by removing food, plants, pets, and sealing or bagging items
Cost is higher per square foot than many localized options.
After treatment, you still may need ongoing monitoring for new entrances or colony pressure
Why Tenting Isn’t Always the Best Option
Here are several reasons why a tent isn’t always required—or ideal:
1. Infestation May Be Localized
If your termite activity is limited to one area—say a piece of siding, a deck ledger, or reachable framing—then a targeted “no‑tent” treatment may suffice.
For these cases you might get: drilling, spot injection, or liquid barrier treatments focused on the problem zone.
2. You Might Want Less Disruption
Tenting means days out of your home, relocating pets, removing plants, bagging and removing or prepping household items. For many homeowners that is a heavy burden. Local treatments avoid most of that disruption.
3. Cost Savings & Focused Treatment
Localized treatments often cost less because you’re paying only to treat the affected zone—not the entire structure. For early detected infestations, it’s a smart way to stop damage without going “all in.”
4. Species and Risk Matter
In the Bay Area, different termite species behave differently (e.g., subterranean vs drywood). A treatment plan should fit the species and infestation pattern—not just default to tenting. If you have a subterranean termite infestation for example, a robust soil‑barrier treatment and monitoring is required to eliminate the infestation, not tenting.
When Tenting Does Make Sense
There are times when tenting is the recommended or best approach:
Multiple colonies found throughout the structure and many inaccessible voids
Drywood termite galleries are deep, scattered, and cannot be reached effectively by local treatments alone.
A historic or special‑structure home where full coverage is required
When you require a “one‑time full erasure” of termite risk and want to move forward with a clean slate
In such cases tenting offers maximum coverage and may make sense for peace of mind.
Bay Area Case Study: Fumigation vs. Localized Treatment
Home Type: 1930s bungalow in San Jose
Initial Assessment: Termite activity found in two siding sections, some drywood termite frass, accessible interior framing at attic.
Decision Point: Owner could either tent or choose localized treatment.
Action Taken: We recommended a targeted treatment plan—attic intervention, framing drilling where needed, follow‑up monitoring.
Outcome: No tenting required. Cost came in at 40% of estimated tenting cost. No evacuation needed. After one year follow‑up inspection, no further termite signs.
Why It Worked: Early detection, accessibility of affected areas, and species matched the treatment choice.
How Good Sense Termite Evaluates Treatment Options
We run a species identification, framing history, and risk‑mapping process for each home.
We check accessibility of infested areas (attic, crawl, siding, voids).
We review structural layout, soil contact, entry points before recommending tenting.
We discuss disruption, cost, and warranty with you so you can choose confidently.
We provide photo‑documented reports and a clear explanation of why our recommendation fits your home.
FAQ
Does avoiding tenting mean less protection?
Not at all—if the infestation is localized and a skilled pro assesses it. The right treatment for the right context is what matters, not just tenting by default.
If I choose localized treatment, might I still need tenting later?
Possibly, if new activity appears in other areas. But choosing localized first when appropriate can save cost and disruption—provided you have regular monitoring and the right provider.
Will tenting prevent future termite activity?
No treatment is a permanent guarantee. Even after tenting you may need soil barriers, moisture control, and inspections to protect against future entry.
Final Thoughts: Choose Treatment that Fits Your Home
Tenting can be a valuable “big hammer” when your home’s termite problem is widespread. But many homes in the Bay Area respond just as well to targeted, strategically chosen treatments that cause less disruption and cost less.
At Good Sense Termite we believe in the right tool for the job, not a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. Book your inspection today and get a treatment plan designed for your home—not just your pests. It’s just Good Sense.
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