When termites have spread throughout multiple areas of your home, localized treatments aren’t enough. Termite fumigation — also called tenting — is the most thorough and effective treatment available for severe drywood termite infestations. It penetrates every cavity, void, and structural member in the building, eliminating 100% of the termite population in a single treatment.
At MEC Termite & Pest Control, we’ve been providing professional fumigation services in Garden Grove and throughout Orange County for over 27 years. We know the process can feel overwhelming — that’s why we walk you through every step in advance, handle all the preparation details, and make sure you and your family know exactly what to expect from start to finish.
Fumigation isn’t always necessary — but in certain situations, it’s the only treatment that will fully resolve the infestation. Our technicians recommend fumigation when:
If you’re not sure whether fumigation is necessary, a free termite inspection is the right first step. Our technician will assess your property and give you an honest recommendation — we won’t recommend fumigation if a less disruptive treatment will do the job.
Termite fumigation is a proven, highly effective process. Here’s what happens from the moment we schedule your treatment to the moment you walk back through your front door:
We start with a thorough inspection to confirm the extent of the infestation and verify that fumigation is the right approach. You’ll receive a written quote based on the cubic footage of your home before any work is scheduled.
We’ll provide a detailed preparation checklist well in advance of the treatment date. This includes removing or bagging food items, plants, and medications; arranging alternative accommodation for 2–3 days; and making arrangements for pets. We’ll walk you through everything so nothing gets missed.
On treatment day, our team seals the entire structure with a heavy-duty fumigation tent. This ensures the gas stays contained within the building and penetrates every part of the structure — including wall voids, roof framing, subfloor areas, and furniture.
We introduce the fumigant gas, which circulates through the entire structure over a 24–72 hour period depending on the size of the property, outdoor temperature, and the severity of the infestation. The gas penetrates wood, eliminating termites at every stage of their life cycle — eggs, larvae, and adults.
Once treatment is complete, we remove the tent and ventilate the structure. Before you return, our certified technician conducts a clearance test to confirm the gas has fully dissipated to safe levels. You will not be allowed back into the property until it passes clearance.
Once clearance is confirmed, you can return home. We’ll schedule a follow-up inspection to verify the treatment was fully effective and answer any questions you have after moving back in.
Preparing your home for fumigation doesn’t need to be stressful. We give you a full written checklist when you book, but here’s a summary of the key things to take care of before treatment day:
We’ll go through the checklist with you personally before the treatment date and answer any questions. Nothing should be left to guesswork.
Once clearance testing confirms the property is safe, you can return home and resume normal activities. The fumigant leaves no surface residue, so there’s no need to wipe down surfaces or dispose of opened food (as long as it was properly bagged before treatment).
If the termites caused structural damage before or during the infestation, we can take care of the repairs too. MEC offers full termite damage repair and wood restoration services — replacing damaged framing, drywall, and structural members with pre-treated, borate-infused lumber that resists future infestations.
We also recommend putting a termite bond or prevention plan in place after fumigation to protect your property going forward. This gives you scheduled inspections and priority response if any new activity is detected.
When performed by a licensed and certified professional, termite fumigation is safe. The fumigant gas is specifically designed to dissipate completely from the structure — it doesn’t linger on surfaces or leave any residue once the property has been properly aerated.
The key safety measures we take on every job:
Have specific concerns about medications, infants, or pets with special needs? Call us before booking and we’ll address every question directly.
We provide professional termite fumigation throughout Garden Grove and the surrounding North Orange County area. Our team is based locally, which means faster scheduling and direct communication throughout the process.
Call 714-951-4015 or use the form below to schedule your free fumigation estimate. We’ll confirm availability and walk you through the next steps.
The fumigation process itself takes 24–72 hours depending on the size of your property, the outdoor temperature, and the severity of the infestation. Add in preparation time before treatment and aeration time after, and most homeowners plan for 2–3 days away from the property in total.
No. All household members, including pets, must vacate the property for the full duration of the fumigation treatment. You can return only after our technician conducts clearance testing and confirms the gas has dissipated to safe levels.
Yes. All food items, drinks, medicines, vitamins, and pet food must either be removed from the property or double-bagged in the special Nylofume bags we provide before treatment. We'll go through the complete checklist with you in advance so nothing gets overlooked.
Fumigation is priced based on the cubic footage of the structure and the extent of the infestation. We provide transparent written quotes before any work is scheduled — no surprises and no hidden fees. Call 714-951-4015 or book a free inspection to get an accurate estimate for your property.
No. The fumigant gas circulates through the air and does not leave surface residue on furniture, clothing, or household items. Items do not need to be removed from the property unless they fall under the food/medication bagging requirements. We'll advise you on anything specific to your situation.
A properly executed fumigation eliminates 100% of the drywood termite population present at the time of treatment. However, new termites can find their way in over time — particularly in Southern California's warm climate. We recommend a termite prevention plan after fumigation to keep your property protected going forward.