Have you just found out that you have a dangerous termite infestation? Have you just been informed that you will have to use gas on them because it is the fastest method of termite control and you do not have any time to lose? If so, poisonous gas probably is the only answer.
However no one would blame you for being a bit worried about having your house filled with toxic gas. It does not sound a very beneficial environment to have to live, eat and sleep in afterwards, does it? The good news is that there is little cause for anxiety, especially if you use a respectable firm with a history of using gas on termites.
Vikane is one of the most frequently used gases for the fumigation of termites. It is typically used with a practice called tenting. Tenting means quite literally putting a tent over the whole structure concerned, say your house.
The tent is then sealed as much as feasible, the Vikane gas is pumped in and fans are utilized to make sure that it is circulated throughout your house, including your attic and basement. The gas is left to do its deadly work for a day within the sealed up tent and within your house.
On the second day, the tent is removed and the house is aired using the fans again. Delicate instruments are used to measure the levels of gas in all rooms of your home and when the pest controller is certain that the levels of gas have fallen to where your house is safe for human habitation, you will be allowed to move back in. That will typically be on the third day.
Vikane does not leave a sticky deposit, so it will not leave a coating on your furnishings which you will have to clean off later. When the house has been properly ventilated, all the gas will have gone, although there may still be a couple of harmless pockets left behind rafters and joists in the attic and basement.
Tenting your house may give you grounds to think that the gas must be dangerous for surrounding wildlife or your neighbours, but this is not the reason for tenting. The tent is put up in order to retain the gas against the outside of the exterior walls of your house as well, so that it is treated from inside and out, although it does help prevent wasting gas also.
This tenting system of fumigation with Vikane is a very effective method of getting rid of an infestation of termites from a building. In fact, it is so effective that your contractor should issue you with a guarantee, although you may have to have the process repeated every year or two in order to maintain the warranty.
Vikane is targeted exclusively at termites, so it will not eradicate any other eco-system that has established itself within your house. It will not kill spiders, ants, bed bugs or cockroaches. More’s the pity, I can hear you saying.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is at present concerned with pictures of termites. If you are interested in this or if you are asking yourself: What Does A Termite Look Like?. Please go to our web site now for further details.
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