Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug science, "experiments," etc.
Vikane and the Environment
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buggyinsocal
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Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 1:13:37
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I was listening to NPR earlier today, and my ears perked up at the mention of the fact that sulfuryl fluoride turns out to be a very potent greenhouse gas.
http://www.physorg.com/news151764839.html
The NPR piece I heard did not mention bed bugs, only termites. Since I live in southern California, a part of the country with a significant dry wood termite problem, there's a lot of use of sulfuryl flouride for that here.
I wanted to point peoples' attention to the article mostly because Vikane is a highly effective weapon in the fight against termites, and if public opinion/policy on its use shifts, there's going to be a real impact on our ability to fight bed bugs with this tool.
I've been unable to find the NPR story, but if I do find it, I'll post it ere in a separate thread. (I don't remember what time I heard the story, so it'll take me a while to reconstruct which program it was on.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 1:47:07
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Of course, thermal is growing in availability, and -- done properly -- is a one-shot deal like vikane. My understanding is it's more green. I have a hunch it's cheaper too.
But bring on the treatment of trucks full of stuff with thermal. We haven't heard of anyone providing this service yet (except hotels doing it in-house, and maybe at least one rental company doing it hush-hush).
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Vikane is used to treat agricultural fields in the south for nematodes.
Tons of Vikane gas are released into the atmosphere for crops like strawberries & tomatoes.
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 997
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 11:34:57
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Thermal for a stand alone structure (single family house) can be much more expensive than vikane fumigation. I was interested in the option (in case of future infestation) and priced it out. (I assume less heaters, probes etc...are used in a few hotel rooms or smaller apartments than used in a 2000 sq ft house?) Due to the amount of equipment a company has, it can take longer which is more expensive on the labor end of it. We were quoted over $2000 more to have the house done with thermal than what vikane cost us. Maybe after companies get more familiar with Thermal and have more equipment for each job size, the costs may go down? I sometimes start to think that home ownership is severely over-rated.
Oh, and what Doug said is true as well. Vikane is used everyday for foods and such coming into this country. -
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 12:12:24
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paulaw0919 - 36 minutes ago »
We were quoted over $2000 more to have the house done with thermal than what vikane cost us. Maybe after companies get more familiar with Thermal and have more equipment for each job size, the costs may go down?I stand corrected, Paula.
I do suspect thermal treatment costs are coming down, and I have heard vikane gas prices are too -- as availability increases.
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 997
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 12:54:02
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I would like to suspect the same NoBugs. I am very sure not too many homeowners can barely afford either treatment as it is. Having to go through something like that more than once is financially an impossibility for most. Here's to hoping for the best in the market.
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