Soil fumigants are applied before crops are planted. Once they are applied to soil, these fumigant products work by forming gasses that move through the soil to control pests. They are used to eliminate pests in the soil that can cause significant damage to crops.

Crops grown in soil that is prepared for planting with soil fumigants include potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, orchard replant, forest seedlings, and many more.

Fumigants are applied before crops are planted; there are no fumigant residues in the crops grown in the fumigated soil.

Soil fumigants help to assure the crops that are grown in the soil that was pre-treated with them are of high quality and that are produced in sufficient amounts for the food supply. Below are photos showing the results of research with fumigated and non-fumigated soil.

Soil fumigants are Restricted Use Pesticides. This means they can be purchased and applied only by or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator who is licensed in the state where that applicator will apply the product. The certified applicator supervising the application must also receive training specific to soil fumigants.

Soil fumigants are applied using a variety of methods. Not all application methods are used for all fumigants. Methods also vary by location and pest; however, all application methods require practices that help the fumigants stay in the soil. The photographs below show some typical applications.