House Fumigation & My Safe

[heyjerr]

Termites have been spotted in my house. The inspector recommends that I tent the house. I'm already going on a trip to Alaska and will be out of the house for a few days anyway...perfect.

While we're discussing the particulars, they tell me they want any enclosed areas to be left open, including any safes, so that the gases can be vented. After further discussion, they say they can tape up my large safe to keep the gases out. Where it becomes an issue for me is when they say that by law they must look inside the safe before sealing it....to make sure a human isn't inside. I'm not a fan and I'd rather sign a waiver.

It's bad enough I have to give them access to my home for several days without oversight but I don't want to consent to even a momentary glimpse inside my safe. I've gone so far as to make sure that they only get a temporary passcode to the front door rather than a physical key so that they can't come back later.

Yeah, the safe is bolted down and I have an alarm system (no cameras yet) but I'm still not happy about it. As I understand it, I can't even use the alarm system during the tenting because they won't be able to disarm it when it's time for them to go back inside.

[hunterb]

Buy a gas mask and sit in your house while it gets fumigated or you're gonna get burglarized!

[odysseus]

In this scenario I would look to friends and family to securely store for the few days that is going on. Let it be empty, and show them so word to the whole crew is that it is.

[Citadelgrad87]

This is no joke. There are crews who spot the tents and go in, and there are dirty fumigators who will call such crews.

I'd just move everything to a friends safe several days before and not worry about it. I'm not camping in my yard.

[glockman19]

IF/when the time comes I need to fumigate my home. I'll pitch the tent in the backyard. As for the safe they will not have access to it. No one does but me.

[glock_this]

How big is your safe? Could a human even fit? That claim alone seems odd. I think that alone would make me pass and ask around with other fumigators.

[baih777]

It is true. The fumigator must witness that their is not a person in your safe. I had to do this but he let me lock it and I was then no longer allowed to enter the house.

[LowThudd]

Aside from already mentioned problems, a tented fumigated house can get over 120 degrees inside. You might not want your guns getting that hot. Just one more reason to leave them in the custody of a friend/family member.

[George W]

I lost my whole collection when I was 22. 50's now.
Parents had house tented. Crew stole guns set fire to my bed lost everything a 22 year old kid could amass in 22 years.
No way in hell I'd leave your collection in the house.
Ended up still having termites on top of that.

[baih777]

You might want to consider renting a camper for a few days.

[Zartan]

After all those details "Thank you, we're done here"

[readysetgo]

Don't dddooooooo iiiiiiiiitt.

[Citadelgrad87]

It is true. The fumigator must witness that their is not a person in your safe. I had to do this but he let me lock it and I was then no longer allowed to enter the house.

I throw a flag. Saying they want to do something is one thing. Claiming they "have to" is entirely another.

Where is the source for this requiremen?

[Exile Machine]

What could possibly go wrong?

[dominic]

Theres always alternatives to tenting, its an outdated technology. Other less hazardous, more effective alternatives exist. Trenching, baiting, electrogun, microwave, orange oil, borates, etc.