Can You Fumigate Your House If You Have A Fish Tank?

Fumigating or bug-bombing your house is a stressful undertaking if you have a fish tank. The thought of harmful chemicals in the air that could potentially kill your fish is understandably scary. So, can you fumigate your house if you have a fish tank?

You can fumigate your house if you have a fish tank, but you must turn off the heater and seal the tank. The best option is to wrap the tank in towels and a large trash bag, then secure it with tape. However, you can guarantee that your fish are safe if you remove the tank entirely. 

Alternatively, you could simply remove the plants, water, and fish from your tank, and then cover it before fumigation. Follow along as we explore everything you must know if you have a fish tank and need to fumigate your house. 

Can You Fumigate If You Have A Fish Tank?

You can fumigate your house if you have a fish tank, but it requires lots of preparation. That said, many homeowners remove their fish tanks entirely before fumigation. You don’t necessarily need to move the fish tank, but it’s at least a good idea to remove the fish, water, and plants. 

That’s because the fumigant can get into the tank and remain in the water and on the plants. This puts the fish at risk of harm when you return them to the tank. It is a big undertaking to remove your fish and plants to put them in a temporary tank at another location.

Because of that, many fish hobbyists simply prefer to prepare their aquariums for fumigation. That way, you won’t have to remove the tank or the fish entirely. It’s much easier to deal with a fish tank when you bug bomb a house compared to professional fumigation. 

Does Fumigation Kill Fish?

Fumigation can kill the fish in your tank if you don’t remove them or the tank. Vikane is among the most common chemical gases used to fumigate houses. According to the National Library of Medicine, Vikane is toxic to humans and many animals. That includes fish, so precautions are necessary. 

That’s why some exterminators won’t even fumigate a house that has a fish tank. They may simply recommend that you remove the fish tank to prevent any harm. However, some exterminators make homeowners sign waivers accepting responsibility in case something bad happens. 

How To Protect An Aquarium From Fumigation

You can protect your aquarium from fumigation using three methods. First, you can remove the tank entirely. Second, you can remove the fish, plants, and water. Finally, you can carefully seal the tank. Follow along as we highlight each of these methods. 

1. Remove The Tank

The only way to ensure your fish are completely safe is to remove the tank before fumigation. This is a tough process, as you must remove everything from the tank before you move it. Even the substrate, pump, filter, and decorations can break the glass if you don’t remove them. 

Remove the plants, decorations, pump, and filter before you reduce the water level. Next, prepare a temporary fish tank or even fill some plastic bags with water from the aquarium. Put the fish in their temporary enclosure and bring them to where you plan to stay during the fumigation. 

2. Remove The Fish And Plants

You can always remove the fish, plants, and water if you don’t want to move the tank. Don’t feed the fish for up to 24 hours before you remove them. Turn off the pumps and filter, then slowly siphon the water and put the fish in a temporary aquarium. 

Ideally, you should keep up to 80% of the water from the tank in a bucket. That’s because fish get acclimated to the water and the healthy bacteria within it. Fish get stressed out when they enter a tank full of only fresh water, and it takes them a while to acclimate. 

Bring the water bucket with you before you leave the house, or else it may get contaminated with the fumigant. It’s important to thoroughly clean the aquarium before you put the fish, plants, and water back in it. Slowly reintroduce the fish to the tank to avoid overwhelming them. 

3. Seal The Tank

While it is risky, you can seal your tank to protect your fish before fumigation. Keep in mind that you must make sure the seal is airtight, or else the fumigant may enter the water. Your best bet is to use a combination of sheets, plastic wrapping, and airtight bags that the exterminator provides. 

It’s a great idea to turn the heat pump off if you plan to seal the tank. Otherwise, the water temperature may quickly rise too high and create a harmful environment for the fish. Many fish hobbyists have had success sealing their tanks with trash bags and sheets. 

Keep in mind that you must bring the sheet or bag to the floor to create a perfect seal. Use a big enough bag or sheet so that you can cover the tank without leaving any parts exposed. Seal the bag or sheet with tape to make sure that the fumigant cannot enter the tank. You can return hours later after bug bombing, but it takes up to 3 days for fumigation. 

Should You Leave The Aquarium Pump On During A Bug Bomb?

You should never leave an aquarium pump on during a bug bomb. Pumps can pull chemicals and toxins in from the air. This will fill the water with at least trace amounts of toxins, but it can quickly become deadly. 

Luckily, you won’t have to leave the house long enough for the pump to be off to cause a problem. You can return to your home after 2-4 hours after a bug bomb. That said, you must immediately turn the pump and filter back on once the air in your home is safe. 

Summing It Up

It isn’t safe to fumigate a house with a fish tank in it unless you protect the tank. Ideally, you should turn the equipment off and seal the tank with towels, large plastic bags, and tape. Otherwise, you can either remove the fish, water, equipment, and plants from the tank or remove the tank altogether. 

Related Guides:

• How Did Snails Get In My Fish Tank?
• Should A Fish Tank Light Be On All The Time?