The chemicals used in this fumigation process, and other termite treatments, cause many experts to worry about environmental and physical health. Researchers at UC Irvine found that "an insecticide used to fumigate termite-infested buildings is a strong greenhouse gas that lives in the atmosphere nearly 10 times longer than previously thought.
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What termite treatments don’t need tenting?
Liquid Nitrogen Treatments Another termite treatment that won’t require tenting is the use of liquid nitrogen. Now, liquid nitrogen use or handling isn’t for everyone. Only professionals are competent to make use of this chemical. As such, you should contact only reputable termite extermination services.
What chemicals are used in termite tenting?
Termite Tenting Overview. They pump the tent full of gaseous chemicals, which kill termites, as well as virtually any other living thing within the home. While methyl bromide once served as the primary chemical for termite tenting, it has been phased out in favor of odorless, colorless sulfuryl fluoride.
What are the risks of termite tenting?
Risk of Death. Reports of deaths associated with termite tenting are rare. Death can occur if occupants re-enter the home before fumigation is complete and the air has been properly tested. In two separate incidents during the 1990s, Florida residents died after re-entering their homes while fumigation was taking place.
What are the negative effects of termite control chemicals?
Below are some of the negative effects of termite control chemicals that have been discovered by scientists: Skin conditions like cutaneous toxicity, infections, and rashes have been discovered to be common among people who constantly expose themselves to these highly concentrated chemicals.
Is termiticide harmful to humans?
When administered properly by a trained pest control expert, termite treatments are completely safe for you and your family. Many methods used to eliminate termites involve chemicals that could be dangerous when not handled properly.
Is termite spray toxic to humans?
You can use today's liquid termiticide treatments just about anywhere on your property without worrying about yourself, your children or your pets being exposed to it. That is because the termiticides that are used today are odorless and are also non-threatening to humans.
Is Vikane gas harmful to humans?
Vikane® specialty gas fumigant is odorless. Exposure to toxic levels may occur without warning or detection by the user. In all cases of overexposure, such as nausea, difficulty in breathing, abdominal pain, slowing of movements and speech, numbness in extremities, get medical attention immediately.
Is a chemical insecticide that was used for termite exterminations until it was banned in the early 1980s because of its toxicity?
Chlordane was a common pesticide which was used for several decades on crops, orchards and gardens until its use was restricted in the early 1980s to controlling termites, after which the substance was banned in the late 1980s. Despite this, the chemical is highly persistent and has a half-life of up to 30 years.
Is it safe to be in house after termite treatment?
However, if you are sensitive to or have allergies pertaining to fumes and chemicals, it will be a good idea to stay outdoors during the pest control process. And once the odours and the vapours clear out, which usually do within a few hours, you can safely return home.
Are Terminix chemicals safe?
Despite its abundance in nature, the chemical is not harmless, and has been banned for most indoor applications since 1984. The reason for its toxicity is that it is well-absorbed after being inhaled, and it is then distributed to many organs, including the lungs, kidneys and brain.
What happens if you inhale Vikane gas?
Overexposure to high levels of sulfuryl fluoride can result in nose and throat irritation and nausea. At high concentrations (such as those used during the fumigation) it can cause excess fluid in the lungs, sleepiness, pneumonia, and convulsions.
What happens if you eat food exposed to Vikane gas?
Will that cause me harm? No adverse health effects would be expected from consumption of some food items inadvertently fumigated with Vikane. The residue that can form in unprotected food items exposed to Vikane is fluoride, which naturally occurs in food and water.
Is fumigation gas toxic?
Inhalation is the most dangerous and common route of exposure to fumigants. Most are highly toxic so breathing even small amounts can cause serious illness or death. Exposure also can occur thorough your eyes, mouth, or skin.
How toxic is termite fumigation?
Chemicals used in fumigation are lethal! Exposure to fumigants in a structure being fumigated, even for a few minutes, will result in death or serious injury. Absolutely NO ONE can enter a structure until it has been certified safe for re-entry by the licensee in charge of the fumigation.
What chemical is used for termite treatment?
Termidor - (Fipronyl) is widely used for termite control and is the most popular termiticide in the USA. Termidor is the only Termiticide to show 100% effectiveness against termites and also provides termite colony elimination.
Is Termidor banned in the US?
Under the trade name Termidor, fipronil is approved for use against the Rasberry crazy ant until 2022 in counties where positive identification had been made by entomologists from the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.
First, What Are Termites?
Termites are wood-eating insects that can seriously damage homes and any other structures made of wood. They are similar to ants in size and appear...
Why Is Termite Tenting A Cause For Concern?
When the tent is removed, the poison escapes into the atmosphere. The chemicals used in this fumigation process, and other termite treatments, caus...
Alternatives to Termite Tenting
Researchers and healthcare providers encourage using less toxic and harmful pesticides to eradicate termites. According to the University of Kentuc...
If Tenting Is Your only Option
While there are several options available to eradicate termites, tenting is often recommended when there is widespread infestation. If tenting is y...