Termite spraying can cause some serious problems for certain people with asthma and allergies. Vikane is the usual chemical treatment method for drywood termite problems. It is a gas that is used in connection with tents for termites. What this means is that your entire home will be sealed under a covering that looks like a tent. They then pump Vikane gas, also known as sulfuryl fluoride, and circulate it with fans for a day. The next day, the tent is removed and the house is ventilated until the Vikane gas is at safe levels to enter. It is safe to go back inside on the third day. Usually people worry about termite fumigation and think that the gas will stick to furniture and countertops, but the truth is that none of this happens with sulfuryl fluoride gas and it has been proven that after the house has been aerated, the little amount of gas that remains is completely safe for human respiration.
The above statement is what the termite industry would have you believe to be the total truth. I have had several clients who have severe allergies who were unable to enter a sulfuryl fluoride gas fumigated home for over two months because they began to have allergy problems as soon as they entered the home. Most people who have allergies are very sensitive to this gas and should be very careful to avoid it until it dissipates completely in the home. Two months is the longest I’ve seen in 15 years, but I’m sure the exception exists.
Is there a way to remove drywood termites from your home other than fumigation? There are safer methods of killing termites than using sulfuryl fluoride gas. The methodology is the same, they load the house, then they pump heat instead of Vikane. This is a much safer alternative and you can enter the house the same day the tent is removed over the house. This heat treatment works well, it has its problems, but it is safer than sulfuryl fluoride gas, which is toxic to people. The good news is that the cost is roughly the same.
In conclusion, termite spraying has serious problems for some people with asthma and allergies. I have personally known several people who were allergic to Vikane gas residues in their homes for up to two months after the fumigation. There are safer alternatives such as termite heat treatments. The cost is similar in both cases. It is important that you check all the alternatives before making a decision. Talk to the professionals of both types of treatments and get the correct answers for your case. If you feel that you have been affected by Vikane Gas, see your doctor immediately.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our website.
