🏚️ Anne’s Barn Fumigation Plan

Terminix Tenting — June 29 – July 1, 2026

This is the master checklist. Anne: text any edits or questions into the group chat and Phaedrus will update this page.

Key Dates

People out: Anne, Sage Pets out: 3 cats, 2 dogs No one enters the barn from tent-up to all-clear. No exceptions.

✅ Confirm With Terminix (ASAP)

• Exact arrival time on June 29
• Do they provide Nylofume bags for sealing food/meds?
• Any special prep requirements for a converted barn?
• Exact re-entry timeline on July 1 — what time can Anne return?
• Do they test air quality before giving clearance?
• Will they provide written clearance documentation?
• Emergency contact number during fumigation
• What happens if it rains?
• Warranty / guarantee terms for the treatment

🏠 Arrange Ahead of Time (Do This Week)

Lodging

• Where will Anne and Sage stay for 2 nights (June 29 & 30)?
  • Hotel, friend’s house, Airbnb?
  • Confirm the reservation now

Pet Boarding

• Arrange care for 3 cats — boarding facility, vet boarding, or friend’s house
• Arrange care for 2 dogs — boarding facility or friend’s house
• Confirm reservations / commitments
• Pets should leave before Terminix starts tenting on the 29th

Supplies to Get

• Nylofume bags (if Terminix doesn’t provide them) — for sealing any food/meds left behind
• Moving boxes or bins for packing out food and toiletries
• Cooler + ice for perishables during transport
• Plastic sheeting for covering plants at their temporary spots (if they’ll be in direct sun)

🌿 Plants — Move Away From Walls

Outdoor plants along barn walls need to be moved at least 10 feet out. The fumigation tent drapes over the structure and the gas can affect nearby vegetation.

• Walk the perimeter and identify every plant near the barn walls
• Potted plants on porches/decks → move to a safe distance
• Ground-planted shrubs/bushes touching walls → cut back if possible
• Water everything deeply before moving — they won’t get watered for 2–3 days
• Cover any shade-loving plants if their temporary spot is in full sun
• All indoor plants → remove from the barn entirely

Timeline: Start moving plants June 27 or 28 — don’t wait until the morning of.

📦 What Must Be Removed From the Barn

The fumigation gas (Vikane / sulfuryl fluoride) penetrates everything. Anything you eat, drink, breathe, or put on your body needs to come out or be sealed in Nylofume bags.

Kitchen — EVERYTHING

• All food from the refrigerator and freezer
• All food from pantry and shelves
• Spices, oils, vinegars, condiments
• Produce on counters
• Bread, snacks, cereal — anything open or in thin packaging
• Canned goods (if not double-sealed in Nylofume bags)
• Coffee, tea, sugar
• Pet food and pet treats
• Bottled water and drinks
• Baby food (if applicable)
• Wine, beer, spirits (sealed bottles can stay if double-bagged, but safest to remove)

Bathroom & Medicine

• All prescription medications
• Over-the-counter meds (ibuprofen, allergy meds, etc.)
• Vitamins and supplements
• Toothpaste, mouthwash
• Lotions, creams, sunscreen
• Shampoo and conditioner (if bottles are open)
• Contact lens solution
• First aid supplies

Miscellaneous

• Candles (wax absorbs the gas)
• Incense
• Aerosol cans
• Rubber items (can be damaged)
• Crayons, Play-Doh, art supplies
• Tobacco products
• Any open containers of cleaning products

🚪 What to Open Inside the Barn

The gas needs to circulate through the entire structure. Open everything:

• All interior doors
• All closet doors
• All cabinet doors (kitchen, bathroom, storage)
• All drawers (dressers, desks, kitchen)
• All trunks, storage bins, hope chests
• Oven and dishwasher doors (cracked open)
• Washer and dryer doors
• Any furniture that closes (fold-out couches, murphy beds, etc.)

🔥 Gas & Appliances

• Turn off all gas appliances
• Extinguish all pilot lights
• Remove any propane tanks
• Unplug sensitive electronics if desired (not required, but protective)
• Note: Refrigerator can stay plugged in but must be EMPTY of all food

🎒 Anne & Sage’s Overnight Bags (Pack for 2 Nights)

Essentials

• Clothes for 2 nights + 1 extra day (in case re-entry is delayed)
• Pajamas
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc.)
• All medications (prescription and OTC)
• Phone chargers and power banks
• Laptop / tablet / work essentials
• Important documents (IDs, insurance cards — just in case)
• Keys to the barn (for re-entry after clearance)

For Sage

• School supplies if needed
• Comfort items (favorite blanket, stuffed animal, etc.)
• Entertainment (books, games, devices)
• Snacks

Extras

• Wallet / purse
• Sunglasses, hat
• Any items you’d panic about if you couldn’t get back in for 3 days

🐱🐶 Pet Supplies Checklist

For 3 Cats

• 3 cat carriers
• Cat food — enough for 3 days
• Cat medications (if any)
• 3 litter boxes + enough litter for 3 days
• Familiar blankets or comfort items
• Feeding bowls
• Vet records (in case boarding requires them)

For 2 Dogs

• Leashes and collars
• Dog crates (if needed at boarding)
• Dog food — enough for 3 days
• Dog medications (if any)
• Dog toys / comfort items
• Poop bags
• Feeding bowls
• Vet records (in case boarding requires them)

☀️ Day-Before Checklist (June 28)

This is the big prep day. Do as much as possible today.

• Pack all food and consumables into boxes/bags and move them out
• Pack all medications and toiletries
• Remove all pet food, treats, and supplies
• Remove all indoor plants
• Move outdoor plants away from barn walls (at least 10 feet)
• Water all plants thoroughly
• Open all interior doors, cabinets, drawers, closets
• Turn off gas and pilot lights
• Remove propane tanks
• Remove garbage cans and recycling bins
• Take photos of the interior (before state, for reference)
• Pack overnight bags for Anne and Sage
• Pack pet supplies for boarding
• Drop pets at boarding / friend’s house (or plan for early morning June 29)
• Notify neighbors about the tenting
• Set up mail/package hold or have someone collect them
• Remove anything from porches/decks near the barn walls
• Confirm Terminix arrival time for tomorrow

🏗️ Morning of June 29 (Tenting Day)

Before Terminix Arrives

• Final walkthrough — check EVERY room, cabinet, drawer:
  • All food out?
  • All meds out?
  • All pets out?
  • All plants out?
  • All interior doors/cabinets/drawers open?
  • Gas off?
• Remove garbage cans and last-minute trash
• Remove items from porch/deck if not already done
• Leave keys/access for Terminix
• Get all people and pets out of the barn
• Take a last look — you won’t be back in for ~48 hours

When Terminix Arrives

• Walk the property with them
• Point out any concerns (utilities, access points, fragile landscaping)
• Confirm re-entry timeline for July 1
• Get their emergency contact number
• Confirm warning signs will be posted

After Tenting

• The barn is sealed. DO NOT RE-ENTER for ANY reason.
• Warning signs and locks should be in place
• If you forgot something, it stays forgotten until July 1

⛔ During Fumigation (June 29–30)

• Stay at alternate lodging
• Pets stay at boarding / friend’s house
• DO NOT approach the barn or try to retrieve anything
• DO NOT remove warning signs or tent anchors
• Check in with Terminix if you have questions — use their emergency number

🎉 July 1 — Tent Removal & Re-Entry

Terminix Returns

• Terminix removes the tent
• Aeration period begins (usually a few hours of open-air venting)
• Terminix tests air quality
• DO NOT RE-ENTER until Terminix gives official verbal + written all-clear

After Clearance (Likely Afternoon)

• Open all windows and doors — air out for at least 1–2 hours before settling back in
• Wipe down all surfaces (counters, tables, shelves, sinks)
• Wash all dishes, utensils, and cookware before use (even inside closed cabinets)
• Mop or vacuum all floors
• Wash all bedding, towels, and linens before sleeping on them
• Run HVAC / fans to circulate fresh air
• Bring food, medications, and toiletries back in
• Close all cabinets, drawers, and doors
• Reconnect gas appliances and relight pilot lights
• Move plants back to their spots
• Bring dogs back (after cleaning is done and barn is aired out)
• Bring cats back LAST (cats are most sensitive — wait until barn is fully aired and cleaned)
• Take post-fumigation photos
• Confirm Terminix warranty / guarantee documentation

📝 Notes & Questions

Anne: text any questions, changes, or additions to the group chat. Phaedrus will update this page.

Last updated: June 10, 2026 Plan maintained by Phaedrus 🦉