Last Updated: March 2026 | Logistics Verification by The PCC Research Team
Preparing for structural fumigation is an operational nightmare for homeowners. Because Vikane gas (Sulfuryl Fluoride) easily penetrates plastic wrap, cardboard, and standard zip-top bags, leaving exposed food or medication in the house can result in lethal toxicity.
To protect your consumables, the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) requires the use of specialized Nylofume® bags. These are thick, nylon-polymer bags specifically engineered to block fumigant gases.
The Nylofume Bag Estimator
Calculate exactly how many bags you need to request from your pest control operator before tenting begins.
The Rules of Bagging: What Stays & What Goes
Not everything needs to be bagged. If an item maintains its original, airtight factory seal from the manufacturer (like an unopened can of soup or a glass jar of pasta sauce), it is safe. However, if the factory seal is broken, it must be double-bagged or removed from the property.
| MUST Be Double-Bagged (or removed) | Safe to Leave Unbagged |
|---|---|
| Chips, cereal, crackers, and pasta (even in unopened cardboard boxes) | Unopened metal cans (soup, vegetables) |
| Any previously opened food container (even glass jars) | Unopened glass jars with original vacuum seal (jelly, pickles) |
| Pet food and bird seed (bags or loose) | Unopened plastic bottles (soda, water) |
| Items stored in standard zip-top bags or Tupperware | Shampoo, soap, and standard cleaning supplies |
| Fruits, vegetables, and eggs in the fridge | Unopened wine bottles (corked or sealed) |
Prescription medications, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, lozenges, and oral care products (toothpaste, mouthwash) must be treated exactly like food. Because these items are ingested, any gas penetration is dangerous. Do not rely on standard plastic pill bottles. When in doubt, take medications with you when you leave the property.
The “Gooseneck” Sealing Technique
Simply throwing food into a Nylofume bag is not enough. The bags must be properly sealed using the “double-bag gooseneck” method to comply with California fumigation regulations.
- Bag 1: Place items inside the first Nylofume bag. Do not overfill (leave at least 8 inches of space at the top).
- Twist & Fold: Twist the top of the bag tightly, fold the twisted portion over itself (creating a “gooseneck”), and secure it tightly with tape or a zip tie.
- Bag 2: Place the sealed first bag inside a second Nylofume bag.
- Repeat: Twist, fold, and tape the outer bag just as you did the first.
Pro Tip: Refrigerator & Freezer Bagging
You can place sealed Nylofume bags directly back into your refrigerator and freezer. The bags are designed to withstand freezing temperatures without cracking. Do not unplug your refrigerator before tenting.
Overwhelmed by Prep Work?
Preparing for a fumigation takes days of physical labor. Speak with a structural pest control expert about localized, no-tent options like Orange Oil or Bora-Care to see if your home qualifies.
Call For Tenting Alternatives: (866) 204-1751