can vikane gas (for termite fumigation) harm a tree?

[miamicuse]

was taking a walk and saw this house being tented for termite fumigation.  They use Vikane gas for 48 hours to kill off termite infestation inside the house.  I have had done to several of my houses over the years, but I have never seen one with a tree partially wrapped inside.

 

I wonder if the gas will harm this tree.

[WaianaeCrider]

WOW

[Looking Glass]

Oooo, man.   That might not be good.    But tenting is a fact of life in south Florida.  

The gas will kill leaves that are against the outside of the tarp, as it seeps through the pores in the tarp.  It normally kills anything/any plant contained under the tarp.   

The palms on the left probably will have damage where they contact the tarp.  

You are supposed to drench the ground 2x just before the tarp is placed, to keep the air/gas from getting down into the roots.  Hope they did that.   

Will be interesting to see if leaves above and roots outside the tarp will be enough.   Should be obvious in a couple of days.   Report back if you can.  

Edited May 16, 2023 by Looking Glass

[PalmsandLiszt]

SO2F2 interferes with cellular glycolysis so basically kills pretty much any eukaryotic cell with enough exposure, however, I don't imagine the tree carries out any gas exchange through its trunk. The outer layer of a tree's trunk is not living; trees have had hundreds of millions of years to come up with this winning system.
It is lighter than air, so will leak upwards.

I am in awe of the termites as an organism if this is the only practical way to kill them; tiny, white, sterile, defenceless eusocial cockroaches Vs universal death gas...

[Looking Glass]

2 hours ago, PalmsandLiszt said:

SO2F2 interferes with cellular glycolysis so basically kills pretty much any eukaryotic cell with enough exposure, however, I don't imagine the tree carries out any gas exchange through its trunk. The outer layer of a tree's trunk is not living; trees have had hundreds of millions of years to come up with this winning system.
It is lighter than air, so will leak upwards.

I am in awe of the termites as an organism if this is the only practical way to kill them; tiny, white, sterile, defenceless eusocial cockroaches Vs universal death gas...

I was hoping the same.  I’m more worried about shallow roots.   Hopefully the tree will be ok.   The palms on the left may burn a little.  

They look like they have a good seal, even around the tree trunk.   They will also seal the tarp to the ground using tubular water bags.   They’ll pump enough gas in to fill the balloon, and some will escape through the pores of the tarps, and the cracks, burning nearby foliage. Outside, it will kill everything under the tarp and into the ground a little ways.  Then when they open the tarp it will float away like helium, leaving no residue.  

There are all three categories of termites in South Florida including the most destructive species of subterraneans.  They are fascinating, but terrifying when they swarm neighborhoods on humid spring evenings.