SERVICES

FUMIGATION

Fumigation happens to be a procedure of pest control which completely fills an area with fumigants also called gaseous pesticides in order to suffocate the pests with poison. It is used for pest control in grains, soil and in buildings. It is further used in the processing of various goods imported or exported to ensure the prevention of exotic organisms. This method further affects the physical structure comprising of pests like dry wood termites and woodborers.

Process

Fumigation comprises usually of the following phases:

The region which needs to be fumigated is covered with a sealed environment.
This follows the release of fumigant in the area which is to be fumigated.
A definite time period is set during which the toxic gas penetrates and spreads in the entire region to destroy any kind of infestation.
Lastly the space is vacated so that the poisonous gases can escape making it safe for humans to enter.

Chemicals used

Until the Montreal Protocol methyl bromide was one of the most used fumigants, but it is not used now as it causes ozone depletion. The most widely used fumigants are:

Iodoform
1,3-dichloropropene
methyl isocyanate
chloropicrin
Sulfuryl fluoride
Hydrogen cyanide
formaldehyde
phosphine

Safety:

An official certification is needed to perform fumigation as it is an extremely hazardous operation. It is toxic to every life form including human beings. A critical safety aspect of fumigation is post operation ventilation. Hence it becomes important to differentiate between the fumigated environment and the source of the fumigant as the pack of fumigant is safe and spent , yet the space will contain the fumigant until the ventilation process is entirely over.

Fumigation methods, a book written by W.H Johnson further highlights this aspect of Fumigation.

TERMITE CONTROL

Normally classified as Isoptera in taxonomic rank terminates happen to be a group of eusocial insects living in colonies. Placed along with bees, wasps and ants in a separate order Hymenoptera termites produce overlapping generations by dividing labor among gender lines and then they collectively take care of the young. The colonies are generally self-organized and by the guidance of swarm-intelligence they cause harm to the environment and can exploit various food sources. A typical termite colony comprises of egg-laying queens, soldiers, workers and nymphs. Though “often called as “white ant, termites are not actually related to the actual ants.

Plant defense against termites:

Most plants have developed defenses like secreting anti feeding chemicals (such as resins, oils and lignin) into woody cell-walls to protect themselves against termites. This process reduces the cellulose digesting capability of termites. According to recent tests, termites are strongly repelled by use of toxic materials so much so that they would rather starve rather than consuming the cross treated samples created from plant extracts.

Pre construction termite control:

The best possible defense against the invasion of termites is the proper treatment of soil in order to provide a continuous barrier against the termites the creation of a chemical barrier between the structure and the soil. The treatment comprises of the following steps:

Treatment of construction and expansion joints.
Treatment of the external perimeter of soil.
Treatment of the plinth and surface.
Treatment of the soil at floor junction and the floor.
Treatment of the soil which surrounds the conduits and utility pipes.

Post construction anti termite treatment:

The availing of the termite control service depends on the existence of the various structures which haven’t availed the termite control test during the construction time. This treatment comprises of the drilling of holes at the floor junction level and in the walls after the pumping in of sufficient quantity of termiticide. This method of termite control confirms a continuous and steady chemical barrier and protects the structure continuously by preventing the entry of termites.