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TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders???

Posted By: alice33

TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders??? - 08/17/06 04:49 AM

A termite inspector is coming to my house later today (Thursday) to tell me if we can spot treat the problem or they have to tent,seal and bomb the house, which will kill every living thing. The 'common wisdom' seems to be that, after 3 days, all of the toxins have been reduced to harmless chemicals and I don't have to worry about the girls' cage. Can anyone tell me if their experience confirms or refutes this?? I have to do something, but I can't risk the girls' health or.........life <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" />.
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders? - 08/17/06 12:29 PM

[:"green"]Alice,
I wish I knew the answer for you, but have never had to deal with termites before... Hopefully someone with knowledge about this will be along soon. Have you asked CharlieH or Schlep or Mikey? Maybe they would know... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: thefotokat

Re: TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders? - 08/17/06 01:12 PM

I don't know about the chemical toxic duration, but maybe you know someone who can keep your girls for a week or so. I wonder if you could open windows to air out the house and bleach down their area. Wish I knew a better answer.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders? - 08/17/06 06:44 PM

I definitely think I'd remove the cage and all their belongings BEFORE any treating is done. Our home had to be treated before we moved in years ago and the guy told us (behind closed doors) that we could move in in just a few days, but if we had small children or pets, it would be best if we waited. At the time we only had a small child and did decide to wait like a week or maybe more before moving in. If there's anywhere your girls can stay until it's for sure safe, I'd do that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: alice33

Re: TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders? - 08/17/06 07:20 PM

Thanks. The girls and I would definitely be living elsewhere for awhile, but their cage is a problem. It's 6'x6'x3' made of Home Depot pantry shelving- the movers had to take out the sliding glass doors to get it in the room and that was before I had the accordion hurricane shutters installed on that door. Another friend suggested that I strip the cage and take all that stuff with me (it's overdue for a cleaning anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clown.gif" alt="" />) and wipe down the cage when I return.
I've also now come across info about Boron-a natural mineral that's used against termites. They do 'whole house' treatment inside the walls and in the attic and they guarantee it for a year. According to what (little) I've read, it kills off the bacterial protozoa <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tantrum.gif" alt="" /> that termites need to digest the wood, so they starve to death (oh G-d, now I'm going to feel guilty about that). I recall some other thread, afew years back, where someone posted that boric acid could harm gliders. Heeeeeeelp!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders? - 08/18/06 11:30 AM

Alice, here is a MSDS on Boric Acid. Yes it can be harmful to your pets.
100% Boric Acid MSDS
There's another one attahced for you to view. Different company, but read the first page thouroughly.
Most of the MSDS's are written for human exposure, not small little sugar gliders with much smaller internal organs.

Attached File
Posted By: alice33

Re: TERMITES-what treatments are safe for gliders? - 08/19/06 02:55 AM

Thanks Cycy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" />. Unfortunately I've got to do something. I'm hoping and praying that the Sodium Borate that's used as an alternative termite treatment method is less of a problem than it's cousin boric acid. There will be nothing sprayed in the open-all of it is injected directly into the walls and window and door frames. We'll move out of the house and into the cottage next Thursday when they treat the house. The following Monday we'll move back into the house and they'll come back to treat the cottage. They're also treating for other pests including palmetto bugs, cockroaches, flying ants, crazy ants and some other type of ant <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> (yes, I've seen them all). Happily, none of these chemicals will harm the occasional gecko and anole that appear to have become permanent houseguests <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clown.gif" alt="" />. Why is it they don't bother me and the other critters do?? And, fyi, my amazing vet, who literally wrote the text book on reptiles, has urged me not to let the little reptiles stay in the house because they carry diseases that could harm gliders. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />
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