Have any of my fellow modelers had their house, containing a model train layout, fumigated for termites? If so, did you do anything to the layout or room? My layout is in a separate building to be fumigated and I am concerned about rolling stock in particular.
Anthony
Never had it done, but a couple of thoughts that came to mind.
Cover the layout with a lightweight plastic drop cloth.
Check with the company doing the work for their suggestions. Find out from them if it would be better to have your drop cloth all the way to the floor or raised up a little to let the fumagant get to the floor under the layout.
Good luck,
Richard
First off why the treatment? Most people don't need to fumigate but that depends on the type of termite and the amount of infestation. Subterainian termite are easy to control by other methods but there are drywood termits that can eat your roof off, literaly, these are the ones that need fumigation many times. There are also dampwood termites which are harder to spot as the don't build tunnels up to the wood but they still need water so the cause could be that leak you never fixed. Now of course this all asumes that the house was properly built.
Sandcounty I am concerned about rolling stock in particular.
Mike
I would ask the nice folks who have agreed to fumigate...or is that you?
I set off a J&J smoke bomb once a year in my train room. I only open all drawers and cupboard doors per instructions and let 'er rip. I don't both covering anything. I don't seem to have a degradation in peformance, nor do I see any schmutz or dusting on my rolling stock and structures.
I had a carpenter infestation...or maybe it was more like an infiltration...in March. I called Orkin, they were passing through on another job and offered to have at least a look-see. Buddy spent 20 minutes with us. Sprayed all around the footings and left three small clear plastic clamshells with something letal inside. Within four days, no more ants. I believe termites are handled only somewhat the same way, but they do have to get into the walls and spray framing directly..or so I am told.
Hello All,
When my parents had our home fumigated for cockroach and termite infestation in the late 1970s- -AKA "tenting" the entire structure- -they were given a list of what needed to be done pre-, and post-fumigation.
All foodstuffs, perishable and non-perishable were to be removed pre-fumigation.
Post fumigation; all items that were involved in food preparation and service: pots, pans, dishes, and glassware, were to be thoroughly washed.
"Sealed" appliances- -refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher did not need to be internally cleaned because the pressure of "tenting" would not breach the seals of the appliances.
Other items were OK after allowing the house to vent.
I would ask the fumigation company if the same protocol for foodservice items holds for hard surface items that will be routinely handled post fumigation.
My concern would not be the damage to the items on the railroad but of the continuous contact of items with the residual chemicals used in the process.
Personally, if possible, I would remove anything that is not "nailed down" to the layout- -including electronic components- -if possible.
Realizing that things like switch motors and power district/routing components are not realistically removable, and post fumigation won't be in constant contact with humans.
Another option is to "fess up" that you have a model railroad and allow the fumigation company to inspect and recommend what can remain and what should be removed.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"