FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FUMIGATION

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

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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