1. How long do we have to be out of the house?
2. What happens in the termite fumigation process?
3. If we tent on a Monday, when can we come back in?
4. Will fumigation kill all the termites?
5. Will termite fumigation kill other insects too?
6. Will fumigation kill the eggs too?
7. Why do we still see termite droppings?
8. What preparations do we have to make?
9. Why do we have to remove our food?
10. Do we have to wash our dishes or clothes after fumigation?
11. Will the gas affect anything inside the house?
12. My child has a respiratory disease, how will fumigation
affect my child’s condition?
1. How long do we have to be out of the house?
The termite fumigation process normally takes 3 days and 2 nights unless there
is a holiday or weekends or if special arrangements are made
2. What happens in the termite fumigation
process?
As an overview, during the first day, the property is covered with a tarp,
and fans are placed inside the property to circulate the gas. Vikane gas is
released inside the property. Since Vikane gas is odorless, Chloropicrin (tear
gas) is added as a warning agent. Warning signs are posted around the perimeter
of the tent. On the second day, the tent is removed and the Vikane gas is
aired out. The third day is the certification. Using a special instrument,
the level of Vikane gas is measured to make sure it is 5 parts per million
or below (this represents a margin of safety - laboratory animals have been
exposed to 100 parts per million for 2 weeks with no adverse effects).
3. If we tent on a Monday, when can we come
back in?
If we tent Monday, people can come back in Wednesday. If we tent Thursday,
people can come back in Saturday. However, if we tent on a Friday, people
can’t come back in until Monday, unless special arrangements are made.
As part of the fumigation process, we will call the gas utility company to
turn off the gas utility. This is a must. The gas utility company will turn
off the gas utility between 7am –12 noon, usually the day of the fumigation.
The gas utility company must have access to the gas meter. There cannot be
a locked gate or a dog to prevent the gas utility worker from getting to the
gas meter, especially if no one is at home at the time of arrival. We can
also have the gas utility turned back on, usually on the 3rd day, or the last
day, of the fumigation when the structure is certified for re-entry. An adult
must be home to allow the gas utility company to go into the structure to
re-light the pilot on the gas appliances. The gas utility company will not
turn on the gas utility on Sunday and holidays.
The Electricity must remain on.
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4. Will fumigation kill all the termites?
It will kill all termites that are inside the structure. However, since colonies
of subterranean termites are under the ground in places the fumigation will
not be able to reach, subterranean termites will eventually re-infest the
structure. (For subterranean termites, the soil has to be treated with a residual
chemical to create a chemical barrier between the subterranean termites’
colony and the wood. This is not part of the fumigation process) Fumigation
is for drywood termites.
5. Will termite fumigation kill other insects
too?
If the target pest is drywood termites, the concentration of Vikane gas will
be very specific to the required dosage for drywood termites. However, even
at this dosage, Vikane will kill many other insects like cockroaches, silverfish,
ants, even rats and mice.
6. Will fumigation kill the eggs too?
No, Vikane is not an ovicide, meaning it will not kill the insect eggs. However,
in the case of termites, even if the eggs hatch, the baby termite will eventually
die because there are no worker termites to feed them.
7. Why do we still see termite droppings?
Though fumigation kills all termites inside the house, the droppings will
still be inside the termite galleries or tunnels inside the wood. Through
constant movement of the house, for example, doors closing hard, natural movements,
and the gravitational pull, you will still see termite droppings occasionally.
8. What preparations do we have to make?
There may be quite a few preparations depending on your
particular situation. It is best to discuss all the preparations with your
inspector. All living things (people, pets, plants, etc) must vacate the structure.
All things that are ingested, absorbed, or injected into the body must be
removed and taken away from the property, or, they can be put in and sealed
in special Nylofume bags. This includes all food items, medicine, vitamins,
herbs, creams and lotions, tooth paste, etc. (can goods, bottles, and jars
that have never been open, and for sure are air tight, are the exception and
do not have to be removed or bagged) The Nylofume bags can be provided by
the termite inspector. See the INSTRUCTIONS
FOR FUMIGATION, and TERMS
– CONDITIONS – RELEASE OF LIABILITY DOCUMENTS for further
information.
9. Why do we have to remove our food?
Vikane gas is not a registered food pesticide, which is why we require you
to either remove anything that you ingest (food, vitamins, etc.), or we can
provide the special Nylofume bags specially suited for termite fumigation
where your food items will be kept safe.
10. Do we have to wash our dishes or clothes
after fumigation?
Vikane gas will not stick to any surface because of its non-residual properties.
Therefore you do not have to wash your dishes, clothes, bedding's, etc. In
our experience though, people still prefer to wash their dishes for peace
of mind.
11. Will the gas affect anything inside
the house?
No it will not. Vikane gas is not known to react with any material inside
the house.
12. My child has a respiratory disease,
how will fumigation affect my child’s condition?
It is best to refer to your child’s physician for recommendation. On
our part, we can provide your physician a Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for reference. You can also call Dow Elanco Customer
Information Service at (800) 352-6776 for more information
about Vikane gas and Chloropicrin.