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November 25, 2022
Neighbor tenting for termites: will they move to your house?
Short answer: No. Your neighbor’s tent fumigation won’t push termites into your home. The gas used in fumigation works inside the sealed tent and eliminates the drywood termite colonies in that structure; it doesn’t chase them out. If you do find termites at your place after a neighbor tents, they were most likely already there or came from a swarm, which is a good reason to have your home inspected.
Starting around spring each year, many South Florida neighborhoods look like the carnival has rolled into town. Brightly colored tarps go up over homes and businesses from Boca Raton to Jupiter. Most of that tenting is for drywood termites, and the peak swarm season is a big reason why.
One of the most common questions we get is, “Won’t that just chase the termites from my neighbor’s house over to mine?” Thankfully, it won’t. Your neighbor fumigating is one of the most neighborly things they can do.
Why tenting doesn’t drive termites next door
Drywood termites live inside the wood they eat, such as framing, trim, furniture and attic wood. They don’t travel back and forth between houses through the ground. During fumigation, the structure is sealed under a tent and a gas is introduced that penetrates the wood where the termites are hiding. The colonies inside are eliminated where they are.
So why do termites show up after a neighbor tents?
Usually, it’s timing. Drywood termites swarm in South Florida mostly in spring, though swarms can happen in other months too. Swarming termites (called alates) fly out to start new colonies, pair up and move into a new piece of wood. Many homeowners don’t realize they have drywood termites until they see a swarm inside, and by then a colony has often been there for years.
If your neighbor had termites bad enough to tent, it’s a good sign that termites are active in the area, and a good time to check your own home.
Common misconceptions
- “If I don’t see them, they’re gone.” Drywood termites don’t leave on their own. Until a colony is treated, it keeps feeding inside the wood around the clock.
- “Tenting pushes termites out.” It doesn’t. It eliminates the colony inside the tented structure.
- “Only old houses get drywood termites.” Any home with wood, including newer homes, can have them.
What to check at your home
- Small piles of pellets that look like coffee grounds near trim, windowsills, baseboards or furniture
- Discarded wings on windowsills, near lights or in spider webs
- Small kick-out holes in wood
- Blistered paint or wood that sounds hollow
See our termite signs guide for photos and next steps.
When is fumigation the right choice?
For widespread drywood termite activity, tent fumigation is often the recommended approach, because it reaches termites hidden throughout the structure without needing to know where every colony is. Localized treatments can be an option when activity is limited to a known area.
Fumigation isn’t always practical for every property. Attached homes like townhouses, duplexes and some condos require everyone in the connected units to leave during the process. In those situations, other drywood termite treatments may be a better fit. We’ll explain the options after an inspection.
Tent fumigation can also be used for some other pests, such as wood-boring beetles, depending on the situation.
Our recommendation
We recommend having your home, including the attic, inspected for termites once a year. Learn more about our termite control options, including fumigation, or read our full drywood vs. subterranean termite guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will my neighbor’s fumigation gas affect my home?
The tent is sealed and the process follows state regulations and label instructions. Your neighbor’s fumigator will set up the tent and monitor the job. If you have questions, ask the company doing the work.
Should I tent my home at the same time as my neighbor?
Only if your home has an active infestation that calls for it. An inspection will tell you whether you need treatment.
Can subterranean termites spread from a neighbor’s yard?
Subterranean termites live in the soil and can forage across property lines, but that’s unrelated to fumigation, which is used mainly for drywood termites.
How often should I get a termite inspection?
We recommend once a year, including the attic.
Do you offer complimentary termite inspections?
Yes. Call (561) 725-5274 or book on our contact page.
Request a complimentary inspection
Book a complimentary inspection and we’ll share what we find, explain your options and recommend a plan for your home.
Request a complimentary inspection: qandlpest.com/estimate · (561) 725-5274
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Inspect first. Treat smart.
About the author
Michael Ringler, Q and L Pest Management. Q and L Pest Management is a family-owned pest control company based in Lantana and serving Palm Beach County.Q and L Pest Management LLC holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443. Services are performed under FDACS Certified Pest Control Operator John Park, certificate #JF320165.