When a house needs tenting, and when it does not
Tenting treats drywood termites. It does nothing for subterranean termites, which live in the soil under the tent, and anyone recommending a tent for mud tubes on the foundation has the wrong termite. For drywood, the deciding question is how widespread the activity is. Pellets in one window frame can be spot treated. Pellets in the attic, two bedrooms and the garage mean colonies in places nobody can reach with a drill, and that is the point where fumigation is the honest call.
Condos and townhomes add a layer. Drywood termites ignore unit boundaries, so fumigating one unit rarely solves the problem, and tenting a building needs the association to agree. If you are in a multi-unit building, start with the inspection report and the HOA manager.
How fumigation works
- 01The house is covered. A crew drapes the whole structure in heavy tarps and seals them at the ground with sand snakes, so the gas stays in.
- 02The fumigant is released. A certified fumigator introduces the gas, most often sulfuryl fluoride, and holds it at the dose needed for the volume of the house and the temperature that day.
- 03It penetrates everything. The gas moves through framing, trusses, furniture and wall voids, reaching every colony at once.
- 04The house is aired out. Tarps come off and the structure ventilates.
- 05Clearance. The fumigator tests the air with a clearance device and only releases the house for re-entry once the reading is at or below the label limit.
From tarps on to keys back is usually two to three nights. The fumigant leaves no residue and gives no lasting protection, so it is normal to pair it with a warranty and annual inspections.
Getting the house ready
Preparation is most of the work for the homeowner, and the fumigation company should give you a written checklist. Expect it to include:
- Everyone out, including pets, fish and house plants.
- Food, medicine and anything you eat or drink either removed or sealed in the special bags the company provides. Unopened cans and glass jars with their original seals are usually fine.
- Mattresses and pillows in plastic covers either removed or the covers taken off, so the gas can reach them.
- Plants and mulch pulled back from the walls so the tarps can seal against the ground, and the lawn watered beforehand.
- Gas service shut off by the utility where there are pilot lights, and spare keys left with the crew.
Plan where you will stay. Many St. Pete families book two nights at a friend’s or a hotel and leave the dog with a kennel; on the beaches, condo associations sometimes have rules on timing during the season.
Roofs, landscaping and the Florida weather
Tile roofs are the most common worry. Crews pad the ridges and walk carefully, but old or brittle tiles can crack, and a good contract says who pays if they do. Landscaping right against the house can suffer where the tarps sit, so trim it back first. Summer storms and high wind can push a tenting date back a day or two; the gas has to be held at a steady concentration, and a torn tarp means starting over.
What tenting costs
| Service | Estimated price | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| Tent fumigation, per sq ft | About $1.10–$4.00 / sq ft | Volume of the house, not floor area alone |
| Tent fumigation, 1,800 sq ft home | $2,000–$7,000 | Stories, roof type, attached structures |
| Drywood spot treatment (no tent) | $250–$900 | Only when activity is contained |
| Drywood warranty renewal | $250–$450 / year | Annual inspection included |
Fumigation is priced on the volume of the house, so the figures above are estimates. Two-story homes, steep or tile roofs and attached structures raise the number; the written proposal after the inspection is the real price.
Compare it with spot treatment for contained drywood activity, and see the full price guide for warranties and annual renewals.
Last updated October 8, 2026