What Is Fumigation?

What Is Fumigation?

Fumigation is the application of a fumigant in gaseous form to an enclosed and controllable space in order to control insects at their egg, larva, nymph, pupa and adult stages, and to eliminate other target pest organisms depending on the commodity or the applicable regulations. Throughout the treatment, concentration, temperature and exposure period are monitored; once the exposure period is complete, the space is aerated under controlled conditions and safe entry is verified by measurement.

The main purpose of fumigation

The purpose of fumigation is not merely to eliminate the insects that can be seen. The aim is to reach the different biological stages of pests that may be hiding inside the commodity, between packages, in cracks or in voids that are difficult to access. For this reason the method may be preferred for grain, pulses, warehouses, containers, ship holds, wood packaging and certain export consignments where surface spraying is not sufficient.

Whether the treatment is necessary is determined by assessing the target pest, the nature of the commodity, the loading method, temperature, the rules of the destination country and the compatibility of the fumigant to be used with the commodity. Not every fumigant is suitable for every commodity or every shipment.

How does the fumigation process work?

A professional treatment consists of preliminary inspection, volume calculation, verification of commodity and packaging suitability, gas-tightness preparation, establishment of the safety zone, application of the fumigant, concentration measurement, exposure, aeration and documentation. The treatment area is closed to unauthorised persons throughout the operation.

Once degassing is complete, the safety of the area is confirmed only with suitable measuring instruments. A safe entry decision is never taken on the basis of smell, observation or assumption.

Where can it be applied?

• Containers and export consignments
• Warehouses, silos and product stocks
• Ship holds
• Commodities and materials that can be covered with sheets
• Grain, pulses and suitable dry food groups
• Wood packaging and quarantine consignments within the scope of an authorised programme

Atılım Fumigation's approach

Atılım Fumigation evaluates the commodity and shipment details before the treatment and determines the appropriate method, safety measures and record-keeping requirements. The application is planned taking into account the characteristics of the commodity together with national legislation and the current requirements of the destination country.

Sources: Based on the official resources of the IPPC (ISPM 15, ISPM 43), the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the UNEP Ozone Secretariat, the US EPA, Australia's DAFF and New Zealand's MPI.