Termite Fumigation of my Building and safety of my Guitars

moondoggie999 · November 4th, 2005, 04:44 PM

The building where I teach guitar is going to be fumigated for termites. They say there is no risk to my guitars finishes and electronic equipment.

Anybody have any words of warning/wisdom for me?

At the very least I am going to cover some equipment like my computer and amps and put my guitars in their cases.

TIA,
Brett

guit145 · November 4th, 2005, 06:43 PM

Usually with termites, they drill the chemical into the foundation and walls.

I do know that K9 Advantix flea and tick treatment took the polyurathane finish off my hardwood floor.

slack · November 4th, 2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guit145

Usually with termites, they drill the chemical into the foundation and walls.

That's for subterranean termites. They are treated by baiting and 'traps'.

Fumigation tenting is an extreme treatment for drywood termites.

J-man · November 4th, 2005, 08:08 PM

I think electrics should be ok, but I would worry about your guitars finishes if I were you. Though I think putting them in there cases should be ok. :)

Smokin OP · November 5th, 2005, 09:49 AM

A lot of pesticides/termincides are oil-based which I think could damage the finish of the guitars. If it were me, I would at least put my guitars in their cases.

Rich Rice · November 5th, 2005, 10:09 AM

But I have been poisoned with chlordane, which is (or used to be) used to kill termites, carpenter ants, and the like. I would take ALL my stuff outta there by the truckload. Nasty stuff, and it put me in great misery. As in hospital visit. I swelled up so bad they had to cut my wedding ring off, or I'd have lost a finger. I couldn't even open the medicine bottles. Wicked, nasty stuff. Be careful. It'll get into your bloodstream right through your skin. Be sure to wash anything (your chair, amp surfaces, music books, stands, etc) with soap and water- and wear rubber gloves during the clean up. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

November 4th, 2005, 04:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
moondoggie999 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pleasanton, CA Age: 40 Posts: 492 3 Photos	Termite Fumigation of my Building and safety of my Guitars The building where I teach guitar is going to be fumigated for termites. They say there is no risk to my guitars finishes and electronic equipment. Anybody have any words of warning/wisdom for me? At the very least I am going to cover some equipment like my computer and amps and put my guitars in their cases. TIA, Brett __________________ You start off playing guitar to get chicks and end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails - Ed Gerhard

November 4th, 2005, 06:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
guit145 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madera, CA Age: 30 Posts: 309	Usually with termites, they drill the chemical into the foundation and walls. I do know that K9 Advantix flea and tick treatment took the polyurathane finish off my hardwood floor. __________________ Ben

November 4th, 2005, 08:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 20 Posts: 6,257 9 Photos	I think electrics should be ok, but I would worry about your guitars finishes if I were you. Though I think putting them in there cases should be ok. :) __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown "The large print giveth and the small print taketh away." - Tom Waits

November 5th, 2005, 09:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Smokin OP Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 335	A lot of pesticides/termincides are oil-based which I think could damage the finish of the guitars. If it were me, I would at least put my guitars in their cases. __________________ It's so country, it couldn't go pop with a mouthful of firecrackers.

November 5th, 2005, 10:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rich Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In a dream world.. Just ask my wife. Age: 53 Posts: 2,555 11 Photos	Putting them in cases is a good start But I have been poisoned with chlordane, which is (or used to be) used to kill termites, carpenter ants, and the like. I would take ALL my stuff outta there by the truckload. Nasty stuff, and it put me in great misery. As in hospital visit. I swelled up so bad they had to cut my wedding ring off, or I'd have lost a finger. I couldn't even open the medicine bottles. Wicked, nasty stuff. Be careful. It'll get into your bloodstream right through your skin. Be sure to wash anything (your chair, amp surfaces, music books, stands, etc) with soap and water- and wear rubber gloves during the clean up. Not worth the risk in my opinion. __________________ Please visit my website! If you are driven to play, you will find a way.