Fumigation


It is a process where a fumigant which is a chemical at required temperature and pressure can exist in a gaseous state in sufficient concentration which will be lethal to given pest organism. This definition implies that a fumigant act as gas in the strictest sense of the word. (Munro 1961)

Fumigants are chemicals that are gases at normal temperature.Because of their toxicity to organisms, they are used to kill pests.They very rapidly penetrate through grains and other commodities.

The way fumigant gases diffuse during a fumigation treatment depends on their physical properties. For this reason, it is essential that fumigators have a good understanding of fumigant properties, and how they can affect the result of a fumigation.

Fumigation is the process of adding a fumigant to a fumigation enclosure with the specific objective of killing target pests.

Best fumigation practice is the process that provides a successful treatment and results from a practical combination of all the procedures required during a fumigation treatment to ensure
  • The people doing the fumigation remain safe and are not harmed.
  • All people in the area around the fumigation treatment area remain safe and are not harmed.
  • The environment is not harmed.
  • The commodity or product being treated is not damaged in any way.

Customers and their responsibilities .
  • Choose a properly qualified and trained fumigation company holding nationally recognized, approved and currently valid certificate to perform fumigations.Who has good track record and sufficient work experience.
  • Inform the fumigator,before performing the treatment, about any specific pest control requirements for the consignment to be fumigated and about certification requirements
  • Make sure sufficient time is available to perform and effective fumigation with the chosen fumigant
  • Ask the fumigator how the commodity should be prepared so that it can be fumigated effectively with fumigant of choice.
  • Store and handle commodities properly in a way that it should not be cross contaminated after fumigation like keep away from direct water, soil, untreated wood etc.

Why Fumigation is necessary?

Transporting goods in ships and aircrafts between countries using containers is an economic and well established practice. Fumigation becomes necessary in order to keep away exotic pests and diseases entering into the country while permitting reasonably rapid clearance of containers. Timber insects pose a significant Quarantine risk in all countries and accordingly all wooden packing material used in the export packing should be fumigated. By carrying out fumigation at the port of loading clearance of the container at the discharge port can be done without any infestation problem.

How Infestation happens in Export cargo?

Fumigation of export cargo becomes very essential because there are possibilities of hidden infestation in the cargo. Infestation of cargo can happen due to following factors.

  • High moisture level in the cargo
  • The place where cargo has been stored prior to shipment
  • During the time of transit Infestation may occur due to previous residues that would be present in cargo, container and ship holds that would affect the cargo significantly.


The infestation rapidly develops during the voyage period and when cargo reaches the port of discharge it is re-fumigated again at the cost of exporter or the buyer. It is always good to carry out fumigation prior to export to avoid huge fumigation expenditure and handling cost at the port of discharge.

The infestation rapidly develops during the voyage period and when cargo reaches the port of discharge it is re-fumigated again at the cost of exporter or the buyer. It is always good to carry out fumigation prior to export to avoid huge fumigation expenditure and handling cost at the port of discharge.

Fumigation operation is effective and a better option than any other methods of pest control because in fumigation process the fumigant circulates and spreads to all areas of infestation whereas spraying operation or other methods of pest control will be less effective.

Another important thing that needs attention is treatment of packing material since untreated packing materials are prone to infestation and become carriers for introducing new pests to other Countries. Therefore wooden packing material should be treated prior to export.

Fumigation is carried out mainly with two types of fumigants, methyl bromide & phosphine.