Prospective Landlord Fumigates 2X a Year?

Not sure if this is the right subforum, but...

I looked at an apartment today, seems like a decent place. But one thing the maintenance guy mentioned was that they fumigate the whole building twice a year.

I don't like the idea of pesticide chemicals being used around my cats. Obviously I would take them out of the apartment during the fumigation (which is going to be a hassle), but the chemicals are still there afterwards, aren't they?

How big of a concern do you think this is?

I could maybe try and talk to the landlord about natural alternatives, but I doubt it will make any difference. Another lady is also vying for the apartment, and if I make a big deal negotiating with the landlord, he may well give her the apartment instead.

On the plus side, the cats would be unlikely to get fleas...

What do you think?

Thanks!

I share your reservations. That stuff is not inert. It would be one thing if they did the whole building if one tenant reported a problem, but twice a year as standard? That is a LOT of chemicals, and there has to be some kind of build-up.

My old place had to be sprayed and I kept my cat away from all the areas that were sprayed for more than a week. Call me paranoid, but if it kills insects on contact, it's got to be nasty stuff.

I would keep looking, personally.

Well, if it's a pet friendly apartment building,then I would hope they are fumigating with something that, once it dries, isn't harmful to any living thing (except insects).  (is there such a thing?) 

Can you ask them what they use, or whether or not they know if it's harmful to kids and pets?  I mean, people have babies and toddlers there too, probably and I'm wondering what they do?

We used to live in a flea infested area, and every time we took the furkids down to get dipped (yes, we did that ), we set off flea bombs in the house.  Nothing untoward happened to our furkids, at least that we know of.  We later moved (with them) to a place where there are no fleas, so that stopped, but they all lived to be pretty old. 

Lilin said:

I share your reservations. That stuff is not inert. It would be one thing if they did the whole building if one tenant reported a problem, but twice a year as standard? That is a LOT of chemicals, and there has to be some kind of build-up.

Click to expand...

My thoughts as well. However, this is the ONLY place I have found so far that will take 4 cats. (and I'm not willing to lie about # of cats, as I've heard of people getting caught and told to get rid of the pets or leave).

(In case anyone here is local, I'm looking for a cheap 2 bedroom within 10 miles of Twinsburg/Solon, Ohio.)

I guess I'll ask what they use to fumigate. I probably won't like their answer

If it were me, and my 3 cats, I would not move into that apartment without a full disclosure of  what fumigation chemicals are being used.

The most recent toxic gas combination used for 'tenting' is from DOW Chemicals 'Vicane' which is sulfuryl flouride with the additive chloropicrin.

These chemicals do not totally evaporate after 3 days, they adhere to surfaces such as cat dishes, bedding, clothing, carpeting, and drapery.

Sulfuryl flouride, a green house gas,  is a flouride compound that is prohibitted from use near schools.  If it's bad for for young humans, it's also bad for cats.

'Chloropicrin can be absorbed systemically through inhalation, ingestion, and the skin. At high concentrations it is severely irritating to the lungs, eyes, and skin.^[19]  In World War I  German forces used concentrated chloropicrin against Allied forces as a tear gas.'

You may not like insects, but killing your cats isn't worth the risk.  Research the chemicals being used yourself.  I wouldn't take the word of fumigators trained by DOW chemical on how to use their products.

After you do your own research on 'sunsetted' pesticides, and greenhouse gasses (NIH, CDC, EPA,...) and beyondpesticides.org you will probably look for a different place to live.  

If you are moving into an apartment or condo with an HOA check the article 'Fighting Fumigation' in 'Pesticides and You Vol. 27, No. 1, 2007' from beyondpesticides.org.

I personally know one person who moved back after being tented and suffered permanent nervous system damage.  Another person, who's cat wandered into the house after tenting, when it was open and air-out, but before declared save by the fumigator, who suffered severe convulsions and had to be euthanized.