Do you need to leave home for borer treatment?
Short answer for most homes: no. The longer answer depends on which treatment, where, and who lives with you.
Facts and prices checked 5 November 2026
For most borer treatments you don't need to leave home. A residual treatment sprayed or brushed onto subfloor and roof timber is applied away from the living areas, and the usual label rule is to keep people and animals out of the treated areas until the product is dry. Injecting flight holes uses small amounts directly in the holes. The exception is a fogger: when one is set off in a room or roof space, everyone, pets included, leaves that space for the time on the label. This answer sets out what each treatment needs and gives a treatment-day checklist. The household safety detail is in pets and children.
What does each treatment need from the household?
Each treatment needs something slightly different. Subfloor and roof treatments need the access kept clear and closed off while the timber dries. Injection inside the house needs the room clear of children and pets while it's done and until it's dry. Treating sanded floors needs the room empty until the product has dried and the finish goes on. Foggers need the space empty for the label's time.
| Treatment | Do you leave the house? | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Subfloor residual treatment | No | Keep the access shut; keep pets out until dry |
| Roof space residual treatment | No | Keep the hatch shut; ventilate the roof space |
| Flight-hole injection indoors | No | Keep the room clear until dry |
| Sanded floor treatment | Usually not; avoid that room | Stay off the floor until dry and finished |
| Fogger in a room or roof space | Leave that space | Follow the label's exit and re-entry times |
How long until you can use the treated areas again?
You can use treated areas again once the product is dry, which is the standard label instruction. On bare timber, water-based products usually soak in and dry within hours, though a cool, damp subfloor takes longer. A second coat goes on after the first has soaked in, often two to six hours later. Foggers carry their own re-entry time, followed by airing the space.
Borer under the floor or in the roof space? Get a written quote
Ask the technician on the day when each area will be dry. The roof space treatment page explains how that area is ventilated. For a subfloor or roof space you'll rarely need to go in anyway.
What should you do on treatment day?
On treatment day, clear access to the subfloor and roof space, put pets somewhere secure away from the treated area, cover or move fish tanks near any indoor work, and put away food, dishes and toys in rooms being treated. Tell the technician about anyone in the house with asthma or chemical sensitivity, and about any cats. Then stay out of the treated spaces until dry.
- Clear stored items from around the subfloor access and under the roof hatch.
- Shut cats and dogs away from treated areas; close cat doors to the subfloor.
- Cover fish tanks and turn off pumps if treatment is nearby.
- Put food and utensils away in rooms being injected.
- Open windows in rooms where indoor work is done.
- Keep the label or product name handy.
Who should take extra care?
People with asthma, chemical sensitivities, babies and anyone pregnant should take extra care, along with cats and fish. That might mean staying in another part of the house while indoor work is done, or going out for the day if a fogger is used. Ask your doctor if you're unsure. Most residual subfloor and roof treatments don't affect the living space once dry.
For a suspected exposure, call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766, or 111 in an emergency. The product safety notice has the general precautions.
Do rentals need the tenants to move out?
Rental borer treatments rarely need tenants to move out. The landlord gives notice, the technician treats the subfloor and roof space, and tenants keep pets and children out of treated areas until dry. Our landlord guide covers notice periods and who arranges what.
Questions people ask
Can I sleep in the house after borer treatment?
Yes, after residual subfloor and roof treatments. Keep the access closed and stay out of treated areas until dry. After a fogger, follow the label's re-entry time and air the space well first.
Does borer treatment smell?
Water-based products have little smell once dry. Solvent and kerosene mixes smell strongly for days. Ask which product will be used if smell matters to you.
Do I need to be home during the treatment?
Someone usually needs to be there to provide access and hear what was found, though not necessarily for the whole visit. Arrange this when you book.
Short answers like this one feed into borer treatment across Auckland, which sets out every option from DIY to a professional visit.