Fumigants are toxic, volatile gases that can penetrate into commodities, equipment, and the structure of buildings. The objective is to maintain a lethal concentration of a fumigant long enough to kill most insect species.
Fumigants are considered nonresidual treatments in that they do not leave residues to prevent future pest infestations. The commodity, substrate, or structural space to be fumigated is sealed prior to fumigant introduction to sufficiently confine the fumigant. The fumigant is confined for the planned exposure period to achieve the lethal dosage required to control the target pests, prior to the fumigant being actively or passively aerated.