Drywood Termite Tenting in Lakeland, FL — Vikane Fumigation for Polk County Homes

Drywood termite tenting in Lakeland, FL uses Douglas Products Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) as a whole-structure fumigant under a sealed nylon-coated tarp to eliminate every life stage of drywood termites (Cryptotermes brevis and Incisitermes snyderi) throughout the structural wood of a Polk County home. Tent fumigation is the only treatment method that provides 100% kill of a drywood termite infestation throughout an entire structure. Call the number below to be connected with an FDACS-licensed Category 8E fumigator serving your Polk County address.

How drywood termite tenting works

1. The fumigation crew tarps the structure under a sealed polyethylene or nylon-coated tarp, sandbags the perimeter, and seals all vents.
2. Sulfuryl fluoride gas is introduced at a calculated dosage based on cubic footage of the structure and target wood penetration.
3. Industrial fans circulate the gas to penetrate every piece of wood in the building for the full exposure period (typically 18–24 hours).
4. The structure is monitored with a Fumiscope to confirm correct gas concentration throughout exposure.
5. After exposure, the crew aerates the structure for 12–24 hours, tests with a clearance device, and clears for re-occupancy.

Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) leaves no chemical residue. The treatment eliminates the active infestation but provides no future protection — this is why a post-fumigation Bora-Care preventive treatment on exposed wood is sometimes recommended.

Preparing your Polk County home for tenting

• Remove all food, beverages, medications, and tobacco products not in original factory-sealed metal cans, glass jars with screw-on lids, or polyethylene-or-foil pouches that have not been opened.
• Remove all pets, plants, and aquariums (including fish, reptiles, and indoor plants).
• Coordinate with your gas utility — the fumigator will request a gas shut-off before tenting.
• Unlock interior doors, open cabinets and drawers, and remove mattress and pillow covers if requested.
• Roll back rugs and lift heavy furniture from carpet to expose all wood floor seams.
• Trim landscaping touching the structure 18 inches back from the foundation so the tarp can seat properly.
• Plan for 48–72 hours of off-site lodging for the household.

Tenting cost vs. localized drywood treatment

Tenting is the right call when drywood activity is documented in three or more distinct areas of the home, when the home is being sold and the buyer requires a clean WDO report, or when the homeowner wants 100% certainty of elimination. Localized no-tent treatments (Termidor foam injection, XT-2000 Orange Oil, Bora-Care, or whole-room heat) are appropriate for confined single-area infestations and run $400–$1,200 per site. The risk with localized treatment is that drywood colonies can establish in multiple discrete sites inside one structure — localized treatment only addresses the colonies it reaches. For multi-area activity, tenting is almost always more cost-effective than chasing colonies one at a time.

Related Lakeland Exterminators pages

• Termite Treatment in Lakeland, FL — Complete Guide — complete topical guide.
• Drywood Termite Treatment in Lakeland, FL
• Fumigation Cost in Polk County
• Cost of Termite Tenting in Florida

Frequently asked questions

How much does drywood termite tenting cost in Lakeland?

$1,800 to $3,600 for a 1,800 to 2,400 sq ft home in Polk County. Larger and multi-story homes scale up by cubic footage. The price includes the tarp, fumigant, monitoring, aeration, and clearance.

How long does tenting take?

Approximately 48 to 72 hours total: tarp installation, gas introduction and exposure period of 18 to 24 hours, then aeration and clearance testing.

Will tenting damage my roof or landscaping?

Properly executed Vikane fumigation does not damage roofing materials, exterior paint, or healthy landscaping. Soft plants and turf within the tarp footprint may sustain temporary damage; the crew typically removes or shields sensitive vegetation.

Is sulfuryl fluoride dangerous after aeration?

No. Sulfuryl fluoride aerates out of the structure and leaves no residue. Re-occupancy clearance is verified with a device that measures airborne concentration to label-safe levels before the crew releases the home.

How do I find a Lakeland tenting operator?

Call the number on this page. Calls are routed to FDACS-licensed Category 8E fumigators serving Polk County. Confirm the certified operator’s license number and the fumigation business license before the work order is signed.