Fumigation is one of the most common methods use for fast and effective pest extermination. It is conducted by expelling a gas called a ‘fumigant’ at high concentrations in an enclosed area in hopes of suffocating the pests. While fumigants are also harmful to humans, careful use of the fumigants during the fumigation process should be ensured to prevent risking the health of humans as well. Fumigation allows the user to destroy all life stages of a pest and to eliminate many pests at one time, such as:
- mosquitoes
- fleas
- cockroaches
- termites
- bed bugs; and even
- rodents.
Fumigation may be conducted on ships, vessels, cargo and containers to ensure that the contents are free of pests and harmful bacteria that might be transmitted from one area to another during transportation. Ships and vessels are fumigated to get rid of pests that may be infested in them. The areas are vacated before the fumigant is dispatched and all areas, including crevices and cracks, are sealed to prevent the fumigant from escaping. Re-entry is then allowed after proper ventilation and it is declared safe for entrance. Cargo and containers may be fumigated and stored for a sufficient period of time before it is ventilated. They are then sealed and allowed to be dispatched.