fumigation

[fyoo-mi-gey-shuhn]

noun

1. the process of using smoke or fumes to disinfect a place or thing or to rid it of fleas, roaches, agricultural pests, weeds, etc..

   If the entire house gets infested with bedbugs, including clothing and furniture, we’ll have to resort to exterminators or even fumigation.

   A pesticide unavailable on the legal market is regularly employed in the fumigation of areas where illicit crops, such as coca, are produced.

Other Word Forms

• subfumigation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fumigation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin fūmigātiōn-, stem of fūmigātiō; fumigate ( def. ), -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Salvation Army said this was due to the fumigation process of their rooms.

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He said improved coordination between local and national governments and farmers was needed, to ensure adequate fumigation of rice fields.

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Additionally, fumigation is an expensive process that does not provide lasting protection against termites.

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A manager for one of them, Bay View Farms LLC, said the fumigation process is “really heavily regulated and inspected by not just the county, but also the state.”

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The chemical’s primary use is the fumigation of homes and other structures, where a building is covered with an airtight tent and gas is pumped in to kill termites and other pests.

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