Palms and Termite Fumigation

[Palmgrover]

Hello all'

I'm scheduled to fumigate my house in a couple of weeks and I'm concerned about how some of my palms that are near to the house will fare.

I've been told to cut back or pull back anything that is at least 12" to 18" from the house.

I have several palms that are that close or closer and I'm very concerned about there safety.

Any of you have anything to share on this subject...

Thanks in advanced.

[street124]

Hello all'

I'm scheduled to fumigate my house in a couple of weeks and I'm concerned about how some of my palms that are near to the house will fare.

I've been told to cut back or pull back anything that is at least 12" to 18" from the house.

I have several palms that are that close or closer and I'm very concerned about there safety.

Any of you have anything to share on this subject...

Thanks in advanced.

My best advice to you would be to oversee the tarp setup and take down. Make sure they do not roll the tarp off the roof onto your plants or put the plants inside the tarp because it is easier than going behind them. My experience is anything outside the tarp sould be fine, anything inside will be burnt and probably die.

[MattyB]

From what I understand, if they're inside the tarp they'll die. I dug up my parent's palms and moved them before they fumigated. Luckily they were just Chamaedoreas and didn't mind at all. I had thoughts of maybe bagging them myself so that they were protected from the gas. Make sure you bury the plastic in the dirt to create as good of a seal as possible. Can they tent without encasing any of your palms?

[Tom S]

I own a termite company and have tented a few different palm society members houses. The hardest was Louis Hoopers, but with a little extra care we managed to not hurt any plants. I think I was more worried than he was. The gas cannot penetrate wet soil, so if the rain hasn't thourghly soaked everything, water any dry area. Otherwise the other advise stated so far is all very good.

Tom

[Palmgrover]

Matt, they can tent without encasing my palms but I'm afraid of gas seeping out and killing the palms. As you know my soil is very wet now and will be for weeks, so I guess that helps.

Tom S, Thanks for reassuring me, I feel much better knowing that Louis Hoppers place got tented and was OK. I should of call you first. Do you work in San Diego?

[Tom S]

The fumigators I use don't go to San Diego, but I am sure the ones you use will be fine, just make sure you are there to supervise, especially when they are putting it on.

Tom