I think the big question is how long it takes for the fumigant to disperse. It's really toxic, but the idea is to saturate the house with it, then let it dissipate into the atmosphere before anyone comes back to the house.

That is a difficult question to answer...it would depend on air movement, diffusion rates of the fumigant, etc. If the stuff is actually all gone when you come back to the house, it can't make you sick. But I don't see how you can find if it is really all gone. They should require that this stuff be mixed with something that has a strong odor so your nose can tell you if it's around.

Is that where they fumigate it?

I'd be very careful.

Many people with ME/CFS/CFIDS/ MultiSystem Illness are also susceptable to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity because their individual human immune system is already in or very clos e to overdrive, ie Liver and Kidneys and Brain and Endocrine system already working at above sustainable levels.

Termite control comes in four forms: cultural, physical, biological and chemical.

Sorry Genie,
it took me little while to find the name of the product but electronic pest deterants called Pestrol Plug - In work a treat and are a non chemical alternative. Pestrol Plug In works by altering the existing electro-magnetic field in your home or work place. It sends a short burst or pulse of electromotive force through your existing wiring. While undetectable to humans or pets it drives pests from their hiding places and out of your building.

http://www.pestrol.com.au/pestrol-plug-p-72.html

http://drdons.net/control.htm
The above referanced does confirm that there are electronic options.
http://www.webugbugs.com/product/
The above referance is a non chemical (Ultrasonic) termite repellant alternative available in the USA

You definitely aren't being melodramatically cautious. I have multiple chemcial sensitvity and fluoride allergy so i would die in a termite tenting situation. I've never had to deal with termites but I think theres natural ways to kill them. I've heard that PYRETHRIN a chemical naturally extracted from plant or something is being sold at hardware stores and can kill certain types of termites. They also have organic/Eco pest care people so check out the phone book or look online. A pesticide exposure can trigger multiple chemcial sensitivity to either start or get worse so its really important to weigh the risks. The devise Al talked about is also supposed to work as well.

Ask them for an Allergy safe alternative if they are good they should have something for you that is safer! My Landlord listens to us with FMS

Thanks to you all for responding!

Richie, I can't find info on how long for complete dissipation, I know it takes 30-40 yrs for it to clear from the atmosphere altogether (ouch) and there is a warning on the termite inspection report about what to do if you feel sick after the home is cleared, and the possible repercussions are pretty serious. Since it's an inhalant I just can't even consider this as a possbibility. I've gotten sick 2 days after the house was cleaned with products I was not used to........so there's the rub!

Al, Thanks for that info on the Pestrol Plug, I couldn't find info on it here in California but it did lead to me finding out other methods. Heat eradication is the other standard treatment here in California (who knew?) so I'm checking into that.

Kat & Red, thanks so much for your comments, it did lead me to do some checking online and I found methods I had never heard of.

Thanks again to all! Take care!

Genie61,

If there is any apprehension about an EMF deterant then a quick read of

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation_and_health

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

may help you.
They show you that we are being bombarded by more EMF from Space every milliisecond of the day than is imaginable, further our own erth has Isoginals of EMF (magnetic lines of flux) and every object has its own flux lines.
Secondly the Hi Tension power lines are 100 of thousands of times stronger in EMF reading 200 metres away than the web bugs prooduct. These devices switch normaly between two frequancies at a random cycle one in the milli volt and one in the micro volt range.

http://www.webugbugs.com/product/
The above referance is a non chemical (Ultrasonic) termite repellant alternative available in the USA

I know a German Specialist who is contracted to null out Japanese and German Hospital rooms for termannly ill chronically diseased patients. The only things he said about these products is they should not be placed inside 1.5 metres away from the place where you sleep. Secondly If you can position your sleeping place 1.5 metres away from any internal wall wireing then its optimal.
I'm an Advance Avionics Technician and a Builder who understands and suffers MCS and this form of webugbugs product would be my first choice of Termite control a thousand times over before I'd let anyone fumigate my house for termies.

Cheers
Al

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imidacloprid

Scary stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imidacloprid

IMIDACLOPRID - damages Thyroid in Rats, spells danger for CFS sufferer's, our Thyroids are important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bifenthrin

BIFENTHRIN - adenosine triphosphate (ATPase) based Inhibitor, just read about ATPase in its relationship with CFS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fipronil

FIPRONIL - Group C (Possible Human) Carcinogen based on an increase in thyroid follicular cell tumors in both sexes of the rat.

Just ask your CFS Doctor what he would do if he had CFS and termies at home. Buckleys to Nunn he would run a thousand miles before recommending one of these chemicals.