Question from Cathi
When Terminix was here in April, they squirted Termidor in some holes in the wall where the termites were spotted. Now, the condo association does want to tent the building in a few weeks, and the gas that they will use is Vikane Gas Fumigant (Sulfuryl Fluoride). They may also use Chloropicrin as a warming agent. I checked out Timbor, like you suggested. That seems to be more of a treatment to prevent termites, but not to exterminate any existing colonies.
I found Pestcorps which treats termites with this method:
*Advance Termite Baiting Stations.
We will install termite bait stations every 10 feet and monitor them quarterly for the signs of active termites. upon active termites, we will bait the stations using a chemical designed to be carried back to the colony and eliminate the colony.
We recommend this form of treatment since it does not leave a residual chemical barrier in the ground. Also since all baits are only used during times of active termites are in a sealed container inside the locked station providing a double layer of protection for your family and pets.*(there is a one
And I found New Tech Pest Control, which uses this method:
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know how effective these other treatments are, but I would ask the homeowner’s association not to tent and fumigate.
Personally, I would not live in a home that has been tented and fumigated. I am concerned about your clothing and all of your belongings having pesticide residues, and especially your bed! If you have to double-bag your refrigerator, which is closed, why not everything else? They seem to be only concerned about contaminating what might be ingested, and not that which may be breathed into the body or absorbed through the skin. Those routes of exposure are equally important.
When I buy a house, I will not under any circumstances purchase one that has been recently fumigated or needs to be fumigated. I tell the seller I will handle the pest problems and do the research in advance on what they are and make sure I can handle them without pesticides. The house I am living in now I rescued from the exterminators at the eleventh hour. They “just happened” to not show up to do the extermination and I bought the house that very afternoon.
Readers, any experience with this? Any recommendations?
I just used a natural orange oil product (www.xt2000.com). Everything wood in Hawaii is filled with termites. I agree with Debra , I have never bought a newly tented property. I made the mistake of going into a neighbors newly tented house about a month into it. I had forgotten but only stayed for a moment to pick something up. As the day wore on I became sicker and sicker…then I remebered. Anything porous will absorb the gas and then outgas it for an unknown period of time. Wood is porous along with anything upholstered, carpets, mattresses and the likes. If you have a formal disability diagnosis HUD rules will protect you from your Assoc. They cannot force you. Good luck @
I’m looking for your opinion on Termidor. We are batteling drywood termites and I am wanting to avoid tenting as well. One company recommends injecting termidor into the affected wood but I’m getting conflicting info on the internet about the toxicity of the chemical to humans and animals. (obviously it’s toxic to the termites)
Well, here’s the SDS for Termidor.
It’s rated highly toxic for inhalation and ingestion and has these precautionary statements:
* P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
* P261 Avoid breathing vapours.
* P260 Do not breathe dust/gas/mist/vapours.
This is straight from the Safety Data Sheet, so I would go with this.