Fumigation

Fumigation is a targeted treatment technique commonly used by pest management professionals to effectively control pests that attack stored goods and commodities.

Fumigants or in layman ‘gas’ used in fumigation are highly toxic to living organism including humans. Hence the use of fumigant is highly controlled by local legislation and is required to be registered. Fumigant is applied into an enclosed and air-tight space. With sufficient concentration and time, it will result in eradication of stored product insects in any life cycle and also larger pest such as rats.

Nevertheless fumigation does not cause damage to the treated items but will keep goods and commodities safe from pest infestation. Correct and strict procedures by a trained fumigator are important to ensure that fumigant does not pose any health risk to humans or pets.

Stringent export requirements and fumigation procedures have been implemented to govern the quarantine services to exporting countries. The Department of Agriculture Malaysia maintains a registrar of fumigation companies and all accredited fumigators. Their activities are monitored through annual audits by the ministry to ensure compliance.

To meet these ever-increasing requirements, freight forwarders, logistics companies and warehousing service providers prefer to pair their pest risk management plan with a sound integrated pest management programme which proves to be a holistic approach to protect the manufacturing, storage and transportation process from pest infestation.