While you can try treating your house for termites yourself, you will probably want to leave it up to a professional so that you know it's done right. There are many pest control companies who specialize in termite eradication and control. Much like choosing a termite inspector, you want a company you can trust.

Again, ask for credentials and certifications. See if the company is a member of any pest control societies and organizations. Do they have recommendation letters from previous customers? If so, ask to see them. They'll probably be more than willing to whip them out for you. You can even take it a step further and call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.

You'll probably want to know what the company will do to get rid of your termite problem. The easy thing to do is just ask them for a complete explanation of their treatment methods. But we'll cover some of them in this section if, for nothing else, just general information so you know what they are talking about.

Tenting

If you have a particularly bad termite problem, the exterminator may suggest that you have a tent fumigation done. This is for bad infestations that extend throughout the structure, and it is probably the most radical of all termite treatments.

With tent fumigation, you will be required to leave your home for a minimum of three days. The chemicals that the company uses are strong although they won't cause damage to anything in your home except for exposed food.

There are some preparations you will need to go through to get ready for the tenting. You may want to ask your pest control operator specifically what you need to do before they come, but here is a general list of guidelines:

?All food will need to be double bagged with special bags that are usually provided by the pest control company. You may want to remove foods packaged in plastic bags and cardboard boxes; items where the seal has been broken and items are stored in a resealed container; eggs, fruits and vegetables; opened bottled drinking water; and bags and opened cans of pet food and bird seed. You should also remove food from your refrigerator and freezer. A good rule of thumb is "When in doubt, take it out!"

?Items that don't need to be bagged or removed include unopened cans; cosmetics, such as lipsticks; unopened soda cans and glass bottles; shampoo, soaps and unopened toothpaste and mouthwash; and unopened bottles of liquor and wine (stored horizontally).

?All people, plants, and pets must be removed from the home.

?Medications not factory sealed should be removed from the home.

?Remove all mattresses enveloped with plastic covers such as baby mattresses, etc. or remove covers (except water beds). Unzip plastic covers over clothing.

?Some companies ask you to soak the soil outside the foundation of your home at least one foot away and remove all yard debris close to the foundation of the home.

?Advise your neighbors that your home is being fumigated so they can keep their pets away from your home.

?Turn off all air conditioners and furnaces and extinguish any pilot lights

?Vehicles including boats, motorcycles, RV's and lawn mowers must be removed from the garage and the property

?Access to all areas of the home must be made possible

?Exterior doors must be able to be locked

?Take with you any valuables such as jewelry and antiques

?All drawers and closets must be left open

Your fumigator may ask that other things be done prior to tenting, so be sure to ask them prior to the procedure. They will probably provide you with a sheet indicating they have advised you of the preparations.

They will also probably give you an information about the specific gas they will be using and ask you to sign a piece of paper that acknowledges you have been advised of all this.

The first day of fumigation, your home is covered with a tent or tarp. The idea of this is to make sure that the gas they use stays inside the structure and that all areas of the home will be treated with the gas