House being gassed for termites -- any impact to cameras, lenses, etc.?

[ahsanford]

My house needs to be fumigated for termites. I'm told the fumigation doesn't meddle with general consumer electronics, but in ignorance of the specifics, I obviously worry about the photography gear.

Can anyone speak to what the fumigation process might do to my gear? Will simple poly bagging solve the problem? Should I just rent a few Pelicans and seal everything up, or do I need to actually to migrate all my gear to our temporary housing for the duration?

Also, I have a storage cabinet that is far too large/heavy to temporarily relocate. If the gas is indeed a threat to my gear, I'd hate to have the various foam elements in that case (TrekPak + yoga mat) outgas some nastiness back into my gear after we return. Should I just bag the entire cabinet?

Thanks,
A

 

[takesome1]

I would think if you were one of those gear heads whose camera equipment has the same value as a base model Corvette, or less just a new camaro, you would know the answer and wouldn't have to ask this question.

Of course you bag it up and take it with you. I wouldn't care what it did to the electronics. What kind of icky film will it leave on my optics?

Of course if all you have is a 6D and a kit lens the answer is even more obvious. Why would you leave your camera at home? Are you a photographer?

 

[Loswr]

To paraphrase Clemenza...Leave the cabinet, take the gear. Good luck!

 

[ahsanford]

I would think if you were one of those gear heads whose camera equipment has the same value as a base model Corvette, or less just a new camaro, you would know the answer and wouldn't have to ask this question.

Of course you bag it up and take it with you. I wouldn't care what it did to the electronics. What kind of icky film will it leave on my optics?

Of course if all you have is a 6D and a kit lens the answer is even more obvious. Why would you leave your camera at home? Are you a photographer?

Because (I suppose) it's possible a chemist might chime in on this thread and state is has zero impact/interaction with my gear. I doubt it and I'll likely need to plan to get it bagged/relocated, but I'd just like to bank that first major fork in the road before getting all wound up about it.

Also, I would imagine the impact analysis of this would indict not only my photography cabinet but every single camera bag I own. Before I plan to relocate so much stuff, I just want to make sure I need to.

- A

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Chemicals react differently to different materials. Do you believe that the pest control company tested the impact of that in glass elements, lubricants, rubbers, and different metal alloys that are its equipment?

Just to say that I made a pest control in an environment with a Panasonic video camera inside a case, and months later there was corrosion in the flat cable contacts 50 routes, on the main board.

 

[rfdesigner]

Not on your kit.

I was fairly competant at chemistry at school, but that was a long time ago.

Fumigating will be primarily a biological effect, rather than chemical. I would not anticipate any issues with etching etc. but I'd still bag & remove as there will have been zero testing vs optics. Crucially I personally wouldn't want to be in the building until it's completely clear, but then I'm asthmatic, the fumigator people will be in and out with masks on, you'll have to live with it... I'd go more than overboard on clearing the air multiple times.

 

[dcm]

It all depends on what they use. Some fumigants like Vikane (http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDAS/dh_08f2/0901b803808f2c93.pdf) will freely pass through your plastic bags and require a special bag like Nylofume. They should be able to tell you what they are going to use and you can look up the MSDS sheets yourself to be sure. Better safe than sorry is my motto.

I keep some things (negatives, storage media, etc.) in a large waterproof fire safe with desiccant that I wouldn't bother to move. I might put extra layers of tape on the door seams to provide an extra layer of seal.

Beyond that I use sealed Nanuk/Pelican cases and plastic storage tubs that I would move offsite. I'd even consider moving other sensitive electronic equipment (desktops/laptops/tablets/displays) off site.

Of course, you do want to leave anything wooden behind so you don't reintroduce the pest after fumigation.

 

[ahsanford]

It all depends on what they use. Some fumigants like Vikane (http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDAS/dh_08f2/0901b803808f2c93.pdf) will freely pass through your plastic bags and require a special bag like Nylofume. They should be able to tell you what they are going to use and you can look up the MSDS sheets yourself to be sure. Better safe than sorry is my motto.

I keep some things (negatives, storage media, etc.) in a large waterproof fire safe with desiccant that I wouldn't bother to move. I might put extra layers of tape on the door seams to provide an extra layer of seal.

Beyond that I use sealed Nanuk/Pelican cases and plastic storage tubs that I would move offsite. I'd even consider moving other sensitive electronic equipment (desktops/laptops/tablets/displays) off site.

Of course, you do want to leave anything wooden behind so you don't reintroduce the pest after fumigation.

Vikane is the chemical, according to the fumigators. Not surprised it can bypass some polymer barriers.

I'll have to read up, thanks.

- A

 

[RGF]

From my old understanding of Chemical reactions, mostly no impact. You don't see impact on glass in the house (mirrors, windows, ...)

Other things that are lubricated would probably be okay.

But in the end, why risk it. Even in a sealed bag around your equipment (or double bagged). there may be residual amounts of poison inside the lenses, ... so best to be extra safe. What is the down side? A little extra bother. What is the upside? Not damaging your equipment, getting sick, ...

 

[ahsanford]

From my old understanding of Chemical reactions, mostly no impact. You don't see impact on glass in the house (mirrors, windows, ...)

Other things that are lubricated would probably be okay.

But in the end, why risk it. Even in a sealed bag around your equipment (or double bagged). there may be residual amounts of poison inside the lenses, ... so best to be extra safe. What is the down side? A little extra bother. What is the upside? Not damaging your equipment, getting sick, ...

You are exactly where I am on this -- it's concerning enough to migrate the gear out for the duration.

But what about the items that store the gear? How far do I take this exercise of caution?

- A

 

[takesome1]

Because (I suppose) it's possible a chemist might chime in on this thread and state is has zero impact/interaction with my gear.

Even if it doesn't have a reaction, which it likely will not, do you want take the chance of residual on your gear.

According to Orkin's website you wouldn't even have the residual. They go as far as to say you don't even have to wash your dishes afterwards.

http://www.termites.com/control/fumigation-tenting/termite-fumigation-risks/

Personally I wouldn't take the chance I would bag it up and take it with me. I would wash my dishes to.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I fumigated my studio this spring, I had a bad infestation of ants. It Killed the ants, but not my camera equipment. I have far too much to tote it all out. Bugs were dropping for several days after, so I just kept out of the studio except for brief minutes.

 

[RGF]

From my old understanding of Chemical reactions, mostly no impact. You don't see impact on glass in the house (mirrors, windows, ...)

Other things that are lubricated would probably be okay.

But in the end, why risk it. Even in a sealed bag around your equipment (or double bagged). there may be residual amounts of poison inside the lenses, ... so best to be extra safe. What is the down side? A little extra bother. What is the upside? Not damaging your equipment, getting sick, ...

You are exactly where I am on this -- it's concerning enough to migrate the gear out for the duration.

But what about the items that store the gear? How far do I take this exercise of caution?

- A

Wash dishes, clothes, ... anything that you. Get the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from the fumigator. Will tell you the risks, ... Extra steps will reduce the risk, perhaps from 0.01% to 0.0001%. In the end you need to be able to sleep at night ...

 

[3kramd5]

Note that tented buildings are often at a higher risk for burglary (since no one is in there). I'd take any easy to carry valuables which aren't well-secured.

 

[ahsanford]

Note that tented buildings are often at a higher risk for burglary (since no one is in there). I'd take any easy to carry valuables which aren't well-secured.

Everything's insured, but I appreciate the sentiment. Besides, the stuff that would devastate me if it was taken is of sentimental value only.

....that and the backup hard drive of all my photography, which is ingeniously tucked away. Zero chance of that being stolen.

- A

 

[3kramd5]

Sweet, can I get your address?

 

[TeT]

If you are asking, you know the answer....

Ingenious, really... there is a list out there of where the crooks look for stuff in a house. All those spots are ingenious too...

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi TeT.
Do you have a link or search term to find the list, wouldn't want to hide stuff where they look straight away.
As for the op's question, I would take as much as I could with me, I might want to take photos while I'm locked out, I can understand the risk / effort equation though, having lots of gear that you don't want contaminated would be a hard choice.
If the stuff can permeate ordinary poly bags I would imagine it would permeate past seals on lenses too?

Cheers, Graham.

If you are asking, you know the answer....

Ingenious, really... there is a list out there of where the crooks look for stuff in a house. All those spots are ingenious too...

 

[3kramd5]

If you are asking, you know the answer....

Ingenious, really... there is a list out there of where the crooks look for stuff in a house. All those spots are ingenious too...

I know where they'd like to look at my place: in my safe, which is made by Cannon, and would contain a number of items made by Canon.

 

[TeT]

Hi TeT.
Do you have a link or search term to find the list,
Cheers, Graham.

I saw a list years ago where 20 places or so were all listed by a professional burglar (one of the news magazine shows 20/20 or similar)... I just did a quick search and turns out the #1 place to hide stuff is your sock drawer... coat pockets and hand bags are a bad idea as well...

Anyways, there isn't one list that I could find, a lot of it is repetitive and it seems that everyone has blogged the subject over the last few years...