Will Termite Treatment Harm My Boars?

[CheeseMommy]

We just moved into a place that is riddled with termites in the floors. The pest control want to spray poison in the floorboards (that's where they are) and in the ground outside. The treatment will NOT be tenting the house and bombing.

The pest control guy said he's done the same thing around snakes, which are very sensitive small and that they were fine. He says it's safe for animals. But, I want to make sure it's safe for piggies.

 

[DM090820]

We just moved into a place that is riddled with termites in the floors. The pest control want to spray poison in the floorboards (that's where they are) and in the ground outside. The treatment will NOT be tenting the house and bombing.

The pest control guy said he's done the same thing around snakes, which are very sensitive small and that they were fine. He says it's safe for animals. But, I want to make sure it's safe for piggies.

No idea, we'd probably need the name of the chemical(s) used, and even then there's unlikely to be any information specific to guinea pigs, we'd need to guess.

 

[Swissgreys]

A lot will probably also depend on how the treatment is applied.
If it will be sprayed then there is a risk of particles in the air which might be dangerous, but if it is painted on then probably less so.
Like Falken said it would help if we knew the name (or even better the active ingredient) in the treatment.

Or could the piggies possibly have a short holiday with a friend for a day or two and avoid the risk altogether?

 

[CheeseMommy]

A lot will probably also depend on how the treatment is applied.
If it will be sprayed then there is a risk of particles in the air which might be dangerous, but if it is painted on then probably less so.
Like Falken said it would help if we knew the name (or even better the active ingredient) in the treatment.

Or could the piggies possibly have a short holiday with a friend for a day or two and avoid the risk altogether?

The problem is the only people who could watch them are about two hours away. Also, the piggies aren't bonded yet and our supplies and money are very limited. :/

 

[DM090820]

The problem is the only people who could watch them are about two hours away. Also, the piggies aren't bonded yet and our supplies and money are very limited. :/

<in no way an expert, computers are my thing, I don't do guinea pigs>
My understanding is that most chemicals become less potent with age, with any chemical it's probably best not to have them in the area at the time of application (particularly if it's in aerosol form).

Being pragmatic, and appreciating your circumstances, perhaps send them to a trusted friend for a week or two, and keep an eye out for any behavioural changes once they get back.

As for the pesticides themselves, ask your chap for the name, Google the brand name, find the active ingredient and try to find as much information as you can, pay particular attention to its effects on cats & dogs (they're far more common domestic pets and much larger mammals than guinea pigs, so you can generally assume if it bothers them, then it will the GPs to a greater degree), also look out for any information with respect to other smaller mammals, mice, rats, hamsters etc.

I know you have to carry out the fumigation, and not doing it is probably out of the question.

My post is very much clutching at straws, it's just that we don't often have much contact with domestic pesticides in the UK, with our climate.

 

[sport_billy]

We are primarily a UK based forum, I think asking over at Guinea Lynx maybe worth while they are US Centric. But come back to us of course