FUMIGATION AS A WHOLE-STRUCTURE TREATMENT

Fumigation is the process where insects are eliminated from a structure with the use of lethal gas. Fumigations are carried out using essentially two chemicals: Vikane Gas Fumigant (Sulfuryl Fluoride) and Methyl Bromide also a gas fumigant. These gases are odorless and colorless and leave no residue. Therefore, prior to the fumigation, applicators introduce trace amounts of Chloropicrin. Chloropicrin (Tear gas) has a strong odor and will cause respiratory and eye irritation.

• Fumigation Preparation
  

Items to be addressed in preparation for the fumigation of the average home are:

1. 
   
   
   All people, pets, (including fish and/or fish tanks), and plants must be removed from the home. If it's 'living', take it out!
2. 
   
   
   All food and medicinals should be removed or sealed in special bags (your contractor will inform you about these fume-bags) according to the instructions from the fumigator.
3. 
   
   
   Outside plants close to the structure should be cut back from the house to allow workers access to the walls of the building. The perimeter of the structure should be heavily watered to help prevent the fumigant from moving into the soil and affecting the plants.
4. 
   
   
   Antennas, chimney caps, and weather vanes should be removed.
5. 
   
   
   Fences without gates attached to the house may need to have some boards removed to allow the tarps to reach the ground.
6. 
   
   
   The Vikane label states, "Remove mattresses (except waterbeds) and pillows which are completely enveloped in waterproof covers or remove covers."

All mattresses encased in permanent, waterproof coverings must be removed from the structure prior to the introduction of the fumigant, including infant mattresses. Detachable waterproof covers may be removed from the mattress or pillow in lieu of removing the object from the structure. Box springs are considered mattresses for the purposes of this determination.

•  Fumigant Dosage Determination 

Because of a multitude of structural, environmental, and fumigation variations, there are no two fumigation jobs that are identical. The required dosage of Vikane is influenced by the temperature at the site, the length of exposure period, and the susceptibility of the pest to be controlled. The typical single family home fumigation involves the use of a 16-18 ounces/1000 cubic foot.

• Fumigation period 

Vikane is usually held in the structure for approximately 16-30 hours. Fumigation time is depending upon the factors mentioned previously.

• Aeration 

During the aeration, the fumigator aerates the structure with operable doors and windows open and with the aid of a fan for a full hour before securing the structure and allowing a total of six to eight hours of additional aeration.

• Entering the structure 

Absolutely no one can enter a structure until it has been certified safe for reentry by the licencee in-charge of the fumigation. To ensure that even the owner or tenant cannot reenter a structure, the company is required to put a secondary lock on all outside doors that only the company can open.

• Certification 

Certification is the final step of the fumigation. The fumigator must aerate a structure, so that the concentration of Vikane in the air is five (5) parts per million (ppm) or less prior to allowing reentry. This five (5) ppm Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) is substantially lower than the level that may affect people and pets following even long-term exposure.
The fumigator is required to post a reentry notice on the property at the time the structure is actually deemed safe for occupancy. If within 24 hours following aeration, you experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, tearing, coughing, nose/throat irritation, shortness of breath, double vision, unusual drowsiness, or tremors, leave the fumigated structure and immediately contact your physician, poison control center, the fumigation company, and your local agricultural commissioner to report the incident.

If the company does not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, you can contact now: 

Golden Fumindo Surabaya - Indonesia

Calling: (62) 31 - 9193 1712 

Email: goldenfumindo@gmail.com