Once they are positively detected, several methods of control are available. Fumigation has been the primary method. After 24 hours the structure is allowed to air out. More and more Californians, citizens as well as governmental bodies, are asking for control methods not involving fumigation of the infested structure. Some, such as school districts, place an outright ban on this method of control, citing potential harm to students from any residual fumigants.
Termites can only survive in a narrow range of temperatures.
They are protected from wide variations while inside their micro-habitats. Methods have been developed that heat the infested wood above the level in which the termites can survive. In order to be effective the lethal temperatures must be maintained long enough to kill the insects. The method relies on the use of propane burners to heat the air that is then blown into the structure. The goal is to heat the structure so that the temperature inside the infested wood is heated to 120 degrees and maintained for at least 30 minutes.