A recent study outlined in the Jan. 21 issue of Science Daily, links.sfgate.com/ZFZO, has determined that sulfuryl fluoride is causing damage to our atmosphere. Sulfuryl fluoride (Vikane) is commonly used to fumigate homes for drywood termites. The study, conducted by researchers at UC Irvine, concluded that sulfuryl fluoride is a potent greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere far longer than previously thought.

The UC Irvine study estimates the chemical lasts a minimum of 30 years in the atmosphere and may linger for as long as 100 years. Earlier studies had estimated the chemical’s atmospheric life to be as little as five years.

How serious is this? According to the study, the chemical’s annual use in California creates emissions equivalent to the carbon dioxide produced by 1 million cars and California accounts for 60 percent of the sulfuryl fluoride used in the world. If this isn’t bad enough, they are contemplating expanding its use to farming.

Sulfuryl fluoride is not recognized as a greenhouse gas. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as a toxin because it’s primarily used to kill bugs. Hopefully the EPA will take another look at this chemical and ban it from use.

If you have drywood termites and you are contemplating getting your home fumigated, please read the article in Science Daily before you commit yourself to anything.

There has been a lot of discussion about the differences between sulfuryl fluoride and orange oil but this study clearly demonstrates that sulfuryl fluoride should be removed from use in California. I think it is very important that the California legislature and Gov. Schwarzenegger read this piece as well. No one can say that orange oil ever destroyed the environment as sulfuryl fluoride apparently does.

There are alternatives to fumigating your home with a greenhouse gas. Contact me and I will give you the names of a few environmentally friendly pest control companies who can effectively control drywood termites using safe products such as orange oil.

Orange oil is a low toxic solvent and will kill termites on contact only (wd40 will do the same). It does not penetrate wood. it is not magic and it is not the best product on the market.

Many of the companies that promote orange oil as a “cure all” for all you termite problems are “green washers” and will charge you as much as or sometimes more than a fumigation.

There are approved devices and less toxic approaches that have scientific, non biased proven efficacy. There are no scientific published reports or imperical data of the efficacy of orange oil for drywood termite control.

See the most compreshensive article published on this;
http://www.birc.org/JanFeb2008.pdf

Bill Mashek
www.northwesttermite.com