Pest Control Service from hell

[thaipod]

Got the wife to contact a pest control service after finding white ants in the ceiling of a house we want to sell . Informed them that I want them to treat / dust the active area with powder, so the ants will take it back to the nest to kill the colony before spraying , then pump insecticide into ground under the floor.

Come to check the progress one tech is chiseling the screw out plugs out of the granite floor and the other had taken every light bulb out of the house and throwing handfuls of powder all over the ceilings, lounge ,bedrooms and kitchen with no safety equipment. I freaked out seeing that he had a kilo bag now just about empty and ended up telling my wife these people are not professional and to get these people out of my house.

Now I'm worried having all this toxic powder floating around in the house , will cost a fortune to remove all ceilings and replace new ones .

[cooked]

Yes indeed, if the guys try to start without protective equipment (at least wearing gloves) you should send them home. However this would leave you with a very limited choice. When you ask about dosage, they just say 'nit noi' for stuff like Arsenic, Zyklon B and Cyanide, 'enough' for stuff that has been forbidden in Europe for years and 'don't work' for stuff that is relatively harmless.

I must admit that I sprayed our attic recently against ticks: mask, gloves, protective clothing. I won't be doing that again, I nearly had heat stroke. The problem is, I won't be able to find anyone else to do it correctly.

Surely you can find out the name of the stuff that they applied and google it as to long term effects?

[EvilDrSomkid]

Yes indeed, if the guys try to start without protective equipment (at least wearing gloves) you should send them home. However this would leave you with a very limited choice. When you ask about dosage, they just say 'nit noi' for stuff like Arsenic, Zyklon B and Cyanide, 'enough' for stuff that has been forbidden in Europe for years and 'don't work' for stuff that is relatively harmless.

I must admit that I sprayed our attic recently against ticks: mask, gloves, protective clothing. I won't be doing that again, I nearly had heat stroke. The problem is, I won't be able to find anyone else to do it correctly.

Surely you can find out the name of the stuff that they applied and google it as to long term effects?

Zyklon B? Please tell me you are joking (in very bad taste).

[personchester]

Yes indeed, if the guys try to start without protective equipment (at least wearing gloves) you should send them home. However this would leave you with a very limited choice. When you ask about dosage, they just say 'nit noi' for stuff like Arsenic, Zyklon B and Cyanide, 'enough' for stuff that has been forbidden in Europe for years and 'don't work' for stuff that is relatively harmless.

I must admit that I sprayed our attic recently against ticks: mask, gloves, protective clothing. I won't be doing that again, I nearly had heat stroke. The problem is, I won't be able to find anyone else to do it correctly.

Surely you can find out the name of the stuff that they applied and google it as to long term effects?

Zyklon B? Please tell me you are joking (in very bad taste).

Zyklon B - was used during WW2 by Nazi Germany in KZ's (Concentration Camps) to kill the many millions of people died there, obviously this product should not be used for pest-control service.

[cooked]

I don't know if you can buy Zyklon B in Thailand, I wouldn't be at all surprised:

Zyklon B was produced by a firm now known as Bayer chemicals, well known for exporting chemicals to Thailand that have been forbidden in Europe, manufactured it and supplied it knowing what is was going to be used for to the Nazis.

Zyklon B is still in production in the Czech Republic in the factory Draslovka Kolín a.s. in the city of Kolín, under the tradename Uragan D2, and is sold for the purpose of eradicating insects and small animals. The Czech word uragan means "hurricane" or "cyclone" in English.

Edited August 9, 2013 by cooked

[Thaimung]

We are Thai FDA and Australian qualified licensed Pest Management Technicians here in Thailand. First I would like to add that out of the approximate 2500 pest companies in Thailand, only 10% are legal.....shocking!! Source Thai FDA.

Next your problem is Termites (white ants). They should not have done what they did with the powder. This will act as a repellant and drive the termites back down, isolating the sick ones as they know the powder is killing them. Yes we powder, BUT, we use so little using a specialist hand puffer (Termidor Dust) And the termites do not know it is on them ( a non repellant). The theory is right, but the application and type of insecticide was completely wrong. You will need to get this vacuumed up by a specialist company, because we do not know what chemical has been scattered everywhere that IS a potential health problem. The drill and inject will also need to be done. Holes need to be drilled down to the soil 200mm out and 200mm apart. In your case, a non repellant insecticide needs then to be applied (Fipronil or Imidacloprid) to create a chemical barrier to cater for activity. A repellant could then be applied when activity has ceased. Both safe for humans and mammals. Both need to be applied at 5L per linear meter.

If you are in Pattaya, we do a free question and answer page in the Pattaya Trader. A free service to help expats and Thai's.

[SOTIRIOS]

....diatomaceous soil (or earth)...virtually harmless to humans...and costs pennies....

(...if anyone finds it in Thailand...please let me know...)

[Thaimung]

I just want to add, DO NOT ATTEMPT to control termites yourself!!!! You can end up causing more problems than when you first encountered them. Europeans do not have experience living with a termite threat. Do it at your own peril......

[Joe Mamma]

I have been using a powerful Ozone machine with a dryer and a timer for 2 months now and it kills the mold and fungus and the insects and geckos are not around either. I did seal all the windows and door gaps and we got rid of the wood roof and went to all metal frame and HDF. The machine must run at full and when no one is home and must be timed right to infuse the oxygen levels and not over saturate. The ants and wasps have their scent trails oxidized away and seem to have vanished. Wonder if it will treat termites and flying ants?

[me313]

I have been using a powerful Ozone machine with a dryer and a timer for 2 months now and it kills the mold and fungus and the insects and geckos are not around either. I did seal all the windows and door gaps and we got rid of the wood roof and went to all metal frame and HDF. The machine must run at full and when no one is home and must be timed right to infuse the oxygen levels and not over saturate. The ants and wasps have their scent trails oxidized away and seem to have vanished. Wonder if it will treat termites and flying ants?

Sounds like very expensive renovation costs, but well worth it and a very interesting idea to note regarding mold removal.

[h90]

Yes indeed, if the guys try to start without protective equipment (at least wearing gloves) you should send them home. However this would leave you with a very limited choice. When you ask about dosage, they just say 'nit noi' for stuff like Arsenic, Zyklon B and Cyanide, 'enough' for stuff that has been forbidden in Europe for years and 'don't work' for stuff that is relatively harmless.

I must admit that I sprayed our attic recently against ticks: mask, gloves, protective clothing. I won't be doing that again, I nearly had heat stroke. The problem is, I won't be able to find anyone else to do it correctly.

Surely you can find out the name of the stuff that they applied and google it as to long term effects?

Zyklon B? Please tell me you are joking (in very bad taste).

it is a pesticide that was abused to kill people. I think it is cyanide based (but I am not sure) so I think it kills just everything....

[Maestro]

I deleted a nonsensical post about Vietnam.

[Mudcrab]

We are Thai FDA and Australian qualified licensed Pest Management Technicians here in Thailand. First I would like to add that out of the approximate 2500 pest companies in Thailand, only 10% are legal.....shocking!! Source Thai FDA.

Next your problem is Termites (white ants). They should not have done what they did with the powder. This will act as a repellant and drive the termites back down, isolating the sick ones as they know the powder is killing them. Yes we powder, BUT, we use so little using a specialist hand puffer (Termidor Dust) And the termites do not know it is on them ( a non repellant). The theory is right, but the application and type of insecticide was completely wrong. You will need to get this vacuumed up by a specialist company, because we do not know what chemical has been scattered everywhere that IS a potential health problem. The drill and inject will also need to be done. Holes need to be drilled down to the soil 200mm out and 200mm apart. In your case, a non repellant insecticide needs then to be applied (Fipronil or Imidacloprid) to create a chemical barrier to cater for activity. A repellant could then be applied when activity has ceased. Both safe for humans and mammals. Both need to be applied at 5L per linear meter.

If you are in Pattaya, we do a free question and answer page in the Pattaya Trader. A free service to help expats and Thai's.

you can get Termidor as a liquid. The secret is to lay it in their travelling path...BUT.... don't disturb them as they will find another route pretty quickly to the cellulose source (wood) and avoid the current path. The liquid gets tracked back to the queen in the heart of the nest and has the effect of stopping the whole colony feeding thus they starve to death. Termodor liquid is literally liquid gold in terms of expense but very, very effective when applied correctly. It is also very area specific in that it doesn't need to sprayed all over the place.

Get someone qualified to do this such as Thaimung

Edited August 9, 2013 by Mudcrab

[Thaimung]

Applying Termidor liquid to active workings is a fine art. Too much disturbances will cause the termites to leave the area and pop their irritating little heads somewhere else creating more damage as they go along. Termidor is not readily available here, but the inventors if Fipronil (Bayer) produce Agenda. Expensive and ONLY available to licensed Technicians.

[Mudcrab]

Applying Termidor liquid to active workings is a fine art. Too much disturbances will cause the termites to leave the area and pop their irritating little heads somewhere else creating more damage as they go along. Termidor is not readily available here, but the inventors if Fipronil (Bayer) produce Agenda. Expensive and ONLY available to licensed Technicians.

Dead right...it is an art form..and only licensed people should do this

[Thaimung]

The difference between Termidor Dust and the liquid is that Termidor dust is that the Fipronil is bonded to cellulose with the dust. This attaches to their bodies and makes it nicer when they socially groom themselves. They get hit and they do not even know it.

[mickba]

........................................

If you are in Pattaya, we do a free question and answer page in the Pattaya Trader. A free service to help expats and Thai's.

Online?

If so I can't find it, are you allowed to give a link?

.

[Thaimung]

Sorry about my grammar!!!

[Thaimung]

Mickba, send me a personal message. I can give it then. Don't want to breach any rules!!!

[harrismac]

I just want to add, DO NOT ATTEMPT to control termites yourself!!!! You can end up causing more problems than when you first encountered them. Europeans do not have experience living with a termite threat. Do it at your own peril......

Not sure about Euros, but Americans have plenty of experience. Nice way to scare up some business, though.

[Krataiboy]

Quote: "You will need to get this vacuumed up by a specialist company, because we do not know what chemical has been scattered everywhere that IS a potential health problem. The drill and inject will also need to be done. Holes need to be drilled down to the soil 200mm out and 200mm apart. In your case, a non repellant insecticide needs then to be applied (Fipronil or Imidacloprid) to create a chemical barrier to cater for activity. A repellant could then be applied when activity has ceased. Both safe for humans and mammals. Both need to be applied at 5L per linear meter".

Or move.

[Thaimung]

Move to another home with another problem??!!

Yes, Americans too live with it, which surprises us that they kind of forget about termites.....

I am giving advice here not for business, but to educate our fellow expats on how it should be done. Not scaring unnecessarily, but educating homeowners with whatever choice they wish to make and what choices they have.

[personchester]

I don't know if you can buy Zyklon B in Thailand, I wouldn't be at all surprised:

Zyklon B was produced by a firm now known as Bayer chemicals, well known for exporting chemicals to Thailand that have been forbidden in Europe, manufactured it and supplied it knowing what is was going to be used for to the Nazis.

Zyklon B is still in production in the Czech Republic in the factory Draslovka Kolín a.s. in the city of Kolín, under the tradename Uragan D2, and is sold for the purpose of eradicating insects and small animals. The Czech word uragan means "hurricane" or "cyclone" in English.

The original producer of Zyklon B. was the past major German chemical company called I.G Farben, and due to Nazi Germany they toke control over other German chemical companies such as as BASF, Hoechst and Bayer, plus a few others, and they created and supplied tremendous products for German army and industry.

In addition powerful SS Reichsfuehrer Heinrich Himmler demanded from IG Farben to produce a perfect and an easy using product in order to use the killings in those major KZ camps and IG Farben produced Zyklon B. German print is Syklon, which was then used to gas millions of people, causing the holocaust.

A short time after the war I.G Farben was transferred into BASF which is now a major global chemical company with a first class reputation.

Edited August 9, 2013 by personchester

[thaipod]

I do have some background in the use of pesticides from years ago working in the horticulture field and pesticide safety and over the years here I've seen farmers using pesticides and herbicides without protection , but these people take the cake, they start a business and have no back ground in the service they are providing and don't care about their own safety let alone their customers . If I were living in this house I would have to remove the ceilings and replace new ones , the cost is a lot .

We have just been approached to sell the house by an agent my wife will sign a contract tomorrow in the meantime I will have to think of a way to get the excess dust removed .

[Colabamumbai]

I don't know if you can buy Zyklon B in Thailand, I wouldn't be at all surprised:

Zyklon B was produced by a firm now known as Bayer chemicals, well known for exporting chemicals to Thailand that have been forbidden in Europe, manufactured it and supplied it knowing what is was going to be used for to the Nazis.

Zyklon B is still in production in the Czech Republic in the factory Draslovka Kolín a.s. in the city of Kolín, under the tradename Uragan D2, and is sold for the purpose of eradicating insects and small animals. The Czech word uragan means "hurricane" or "cyclone" in English.

Also responsible for manufacturing cocaine, and possibly heroin also.