Effective Wood Borer Treatment in South Africa: Why Sulfuryl Fluoride (ProFume) is the Gold Standard
Wood borer infestations represent a significant threat to the structural integrity of South African properties, from historic Cape Dutch homesteads to modern timber-framed developments. These silent destroyers, often unnoticed until substantial damage has occurred, require a specialized approach to eradication. For property owners and fumigation professionals alike, understanding the nuances of wood borer treatment is essential to protecting valuable timber assets and ensuring long-term structural safety.
Common Wood Borer Species in South Africa
The term “wood borer” encompasses several beetle species whose larvae feed on wood, creating intricate tunnel networks. In South Africa, the most prevalent threats include the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum), which typically targets softwoods and older furniture, and the Powder Post Beetle (Lyctidae), known for reducing hardwoods to a fine, flour-like dust. Additionally, the House Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus) poses a severe risk to structural roof timbers, particularly in coastal regions. Identifying the specific species is the first step, but selecting a treatment that addresses the entire life cycle of the pest is the only way to ensure complete eradication.
Powder Post Beetle can reduce hardwood to dust
Common Furniture Beetle favors soft woods and old furniture
Evaluating Different Wood Borer Treatments
Property owners often choose between localized surface treatments and comprehensive fumigation. While surface-applied insecticides and borate-based sprays can be effective for prevention or treating very shallow infestations, they often fail to reach larvae buried deep within the wood. Heat treatment is another alternative, utilizing high temperatures to eliminate pests; however, its application is often limited by the size of the structure and the potential for heat-related damage to sensitive materials.
Fumigation remains the most reliable method for total wood borer elimination. By using a gaseous fumigant, the treatment penetrates every millimeter of the structure, reaching pests in areas that are otherwise inaccessible. This “whole-structure” approach ensures that no pocket of infestation is left behind, providing a level of certainty that topical treatments simply cannot match.
The Power of Sulfuryl Fluoride (ProFume) Against All Life Stages
The introduction of Sulfuryl Fluoride, commercially known as ProFume® fumigant gas, has revolutionized wood borer control in South Africa. One of its most significant advantages is its effectiveness against all life stages of the wood borer, including eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. While the egg stage of many insects is naturally more resistant to chemical treatments, ProFume® can be precisely dosed using a “gram-hour” calculation (concentration multiplied by exposure time) to ensure total mortality.
ProFume® works by disrupting the glycolysis cycle in insects, preventing them from metabolizing stored energy reserves. This metabolic block is lethal across the board. For wood-boring beetles, where larvae can spend years hidden deep inside timber before emerging as adults, this deep-penetrating gaseous action is critical. By eliminating the eggs and larvae before they can cause further damage or mature into the next generation, ProFume® provides a definitive solution to even the most stubborn infestations.
Sulfuryl Fluoride vs. Methyl Bromide: A Detailed Comparison
For decades, Methyl Bromide was the industry standard for fumigation. However, due to its role in ozone depletion, it has been phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol. Sulfuryl Fluoride (ProFume®) has emerged not just as a replacement, but as a superior alternative in several key performance areas.
Sulfuryl Fluoride vs Methyl Bromide
Comprehensive Comparison for Wood Borer Treatment
| Feature | Sulfuryl Fluoride (ProFume®) | Methyl Bromide |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Power | Superior; penetrates dense wood faster and more deeply. | Effective, but significantly slower than Sulfuryl Fluoride. |
| Aeration & Residue | Rapid aeration; leaves no detectable residue or odors. | Slower aeration; can react with materials to create “skunk” odors. |
| Material Safety | Non-corrosive and safe for electronics, metals, and fine art. | Can be reactive with certain sulfur-containing materials. |
| Environmental Impact | Non-ozone depleting; the modern, sustainable choice. | Significant ozone-depleting potential (phased out). |
| Operational Efficiency | Shorter exposure times possible due to rapid penetration. | Requires longer standard exposure periods. |
Why ProFume® is the Preferred Choice for South African Property
Beyond its efficacy, ProFume® offers practical benefits that make it the preferred choice for residential and commercial fumigation. It is completely odorless and colorless, ensuring that there are no lingering “chemical smells” after the aeration process is complete. Furthermore, because it is non-corrosive and non-reactive, it poses no risk to modern household essentials like computers, televisions, or copper piping.
For the export industry, ProFume® is also a vital tool for ISPM 15 compliance. As international markets demand pest-free timber packaging and products, Sulfuryl Fluoride provides a globally accepted, high-performance solution that meets stringent quarantine requirements without compromising the quality of the goods.
Conclusion: Partnering with the Experts
Effective wood borer control requires more than just the right chemical; it requires technical expertise and field experience. As the official national distributors for ProFume® Sulfuryl Fluoride in South Africa, Fumico provides the industry with the supplies and technical support needed to tackle the toughest infestations. Whether you are a professional fumigator or a property owner seeking the best protection for your investment, choosing ProFume® ensures a scientifically proven, environmentally responsible, and total solution to wood borer problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fumigant Use in South Africa: Focus on ProFume (Sulfuryl Fluoride)
ProFume Fumigant Gas (Sulfuryl Fluoride) was introduced into South Africa in 2019 as a viable alternative to methyl bromide which is phased out in accordance to the Montreal Convention. These are the top 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) people have about fumigant use:
1. What is ProFume (sulfuryl fluoride) and what is it used for?
ProFume is a brand name for sulfuryl fluoride, a colorless, odorless gas used primarily for structural fumigation and pest control in South Africa. It is highly effective against termites, wood-boring insects, and a wide range of stored product pests. Douglas Products in the USA manufactures ProFume and Fumico is a selected South African distributor.
2. How does ProFume work?
ProFume penetrates deep into wood, soil, and enclosed spaces, disrupting the nervous system of pests and effectively eliminating them. Its gaseous form allows it to reach areas that are difficult to treat with other methods.
3. Is ProFume safe for humans and pets?
When applied by trained professionals following strict safety protocols, ProFume is safe. The treated area must be properly sealed during fumigation and ventilated thoroughly before re-entry. Humans and pets should not be present during treatment.
4. How long does a ProFume fumigation take?
The fumigation process typically requires 24 to 72 hours, depending on the size of the structure and pest infestation. After treatment, the area must be aerated to remove residual gas before it is safe to enter.
5. What are the environmental impacts of ProFume?
Sulfuryl fluoride is a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Therefore, its use is carefully regulated, and fumigators take measures to minimize emissions. Despite this, it is considered a safer alternative to ozone-depleting fumigants like methyl bromide.
6. How does ProFume compare to other fumigants like phosphine or methyl bromide?
- Compared to phosphine, ProFume is non-flammable and better suited for structural fumigation with longer residual activity.
- Compared to methyl bromide, ProFume does not deplete the ozone layer but has a higher greenhouse gas potential. Methyl bromide use is largely phased out in South Africa.
7. Can ProFume be used for food storage fumigation?
ProFume is primarily used for structural fumigation. For stored product fumigation, phosphine remains the preferred fumigant in South Africa due to its effectiveness and regulatory acceptance.
8. What safety measures are taken during ProFume fumigation?
Certified fumigators use specialized equipment to monitor gas concentrations, ensure airtight sealing, and control exposure times. After fumigation, the area is ventilated thoroughly to remove residual gas before people can safely return.
9. How often should fumigation with ProFume be done?
The frequency depends on the risk of pest infestation and previous treatments. Regular inspections by pest control professionals help determine when fumigation is necessary.
10. Where can I find professional fumigation services using ProFume in South Africa?
Look for licensed and certified fumigation companies experienced in ProFume application. Always verify credentials and ask about safety and environmental practices. Fumico offers complimentary stewardship training for professional pest control companies.
Sulfuryl Fluoride vs. Methyl Bromide: A Comparison for South African Fumigation
Fumigation plays a crucial role in protecting South Africa’s agricultural products, stored goods, and infrastructure from pest damage. Among the fumigants historically and currently used, sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide stand out for their effectiveness. However, their use involves important differences in safety, environmental impact, and regulation. This article explores these two fumigants to help industry professionals and stakeholders understand their roles in South Africa’s pest control landscape.
What Are Sulfuryl Fluoride and Methyl Bromide?
- Sulfuryl Fluoride (SO2F2) is a colorless, odorless gas widely used for structural fumigation and commodity protection. It is effective against termites, wood-boring insects, and a broad range of stored product pests.
- Methyl Bromide (CH3Br) is a highly effective broad-spectrum fumigant historically used for soil fumigation, quarantine treatments, and commodity protection. It is a colorless gas with a faint sweet odor.
Efficacy and Application
- Sulfuryl Fluoride excels in structural fumigation due to its excellent penetration and residual activity. It is increasingly used as a replacement for methyl bromide in many applications, especially for termite control and wood preservation.
- Methyl Bromide has been valued for its rapid action and broad pest control spectrum, including soil-borne pests and nematodes. It was widely used in agriculture and quarantine treatments.
Environmental and Health Considerations
- Sulfuryl Fluoride is non-flammable and has relatively low acute toxicity to humans when used properly. However, it is a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential, necessitating careful handling and containment.
- Methyl Bromide is highly toxic and an ozone-depleting substance. Due to its significant environmental impact, its use has been phased out or heavily restricted globally under the Montreal Protocol, including in South Africa.
Regulatory Status in South Africa
- Sulfuryl Fluoride is registered and increasingly adopted for structural fumigation and certain commodity treatments. Its use is regulated to ensure safety and environmental protection.
- Methyl Bromide use is largely phased out in South Africa except for critical quarantine and pre-shipment uses under strict controls. Alternatives are encouraged to reduce environmental harm.
Safety and Handling
- Both fumigants require trained professionals for safe application, including proper sealing, ventilation, and personal protective equipment.
- Sulfuryl Fluoride requires longer exposure times and airtight conditions but is less hazardous to applicators when protocols are followed.
- Methyl Bromide is acutely toxic and requires stringent safety measures to prevent exposure.
Cost and Practicality
- Sulfuryl Fluoride tends to be more expensive and requires specialized equipment but offers a safer environmental profile compared to methyl bromide.
- Methyl Bromide was cost-effective and fast-acting but its environmental costs and regulatory restrictions limit its practicality today.
Conclusion: Moving Towards Sustainable Fumigation
South Africa’s fumigation industry is transitioning away from methyl bromide due to its environmental impact and regulatory phase-out. Sulfuryl fluoride offers an effective alternative for many fumigation needs, especially structural treatments. However, its greenhouse gas potential means that integrated pest management and alternative methods should also be considered to minimize environmental footprint.
For fumigation professionals, understanding the strengths and limitations of these fumigants is essential for safe, effective, and responsible pest control.
Fumigation South Africa
Fumigation is a pest control method that uses gas or smoke to eliminate pests in homes and businesses in South Africa. It’s often used when other methods aren’t effective or when multiple species of pests need to be treated. Fumigation in South Africa includes chemical fumigants such as phosphine, methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride.
How it works
A sealed area is filled with a fumigant gas at a lethal concentration. The gas kills all insects and pests in the area.
Who can fumigate?
Fumigation should be done by an experienced, reputable pest control company. Certification to use lethal chemicals requires stewardship training in both theoretical and practical application.
Read more about our free stewardship training here…
When is fumigation used in South Africa?
- For widespread infestations,
- To target multiple species of pests at once,
- To treat stored products like grains and food produce,
- To treat wood-destroying organisms, and
- To treat containers for export.
Stewardship Training
Fumigation for export
Specialized fumigation companies.
Many pest control companies specialise in a particular aspect of fumigation such as:
- Woodborer treatments in historical buildings or museums containing artefacts.
- Fumigation services for businesses in logistics and shipping including ISPM 15 certification for cargo and commodities for export.
- Fumigation for residential homes or business buildings.
- Grain silos and other storage facilities.
Other fumigation considerations
The price of fumigation depends on the volume of goods, preparation needed and the gas used. Sulfuryl fluoride fumigant gas is more expensive than its predessesor methyl bromide, for example, but less volume is needed for structural fumigations. This equates to a 60% saving for the client.
Certain pests may have built resistance to a particular fumigant, so an alternate works best. Phosphine resistance has been combatted with the advent of sulfuryl fluoride fumigant gas.
It is important to remove certain items before fumigation such as unsealed food, medication, plants and, of course, all animals including fish in tanks.
Sulfuryl Fluoride
Everything you need to know about Sulfuryl Fluoride
Dow Chemical developed sulfuryl fluoride in the 1950’s to control drywood termites. It was then registered as an insecticide and rodenticide in 1959. This is everything you need to know about sulfuryl fluoride, sold in South Africa under the brand name ProFume® Fumigant Gas.
Sulfuryl fluoride is an odourless gas which is both nonflammable and non explodable. It is stable to store in a steel cylinder for up to 6 years. Although the chemical is in a gas state at atmospheric pressure, it is sold as a pressurized liquefied gas. This is everything you need to know about sulfuryl fluoride.
Background of sulfuryl fluoride fumigant gas
The Dow Chemical Company developed sulfuryl fluoride as a structural fumigant and marketed it as Vikane® in 1961. More than 3 million priceless structures such as cathedrals, historical landmarks and rare-book libraries as well as scientific and medical research laboratories containing highly sensitive electronic equipment have been successfully fumigated with sulfuryl fluoride.
Structure-infesting pests cause costly damage to older homes in warmer climates. Extensive damage from termites and wood-boring beetles may occur before the pests are even noted. Although South Africa’s brick and mortar homes may not collapse as a timber-built home in Florida, USA could, roof trusses, hardwood flooring, wooden bannisters, window frames and of course cupboards and furnishings are at risk to termites and woodborer in warm, humid zones such as Durban, KZN.
Tented fumigation using sulfuryl fluoride has thus far shown 100% efficacy through all life phases of these notorious, hard to reach pests. Cockroaches, rodents and bed-bugs are also eliminated with sulfuryl fluoride treatment.
Postharvest breakthrough with sulfuryl fluoride in 1990’s
Postharvest losses in the United States was estimated at $5 billion per year (Pimental 1991). Insects that infested grains, dried fruits and tree nuts in mills, warehouses and food storage facilities meant product losses. Traditionally, methyl bromide was used to combat postharvest pests but the ozone depleting character of methyl bromide required an alternate solution (per the Montreal Protocol).
In 1995, Dow AgroSciences formed partnerships with leading stored product researchers, fumigators and food industries around the world to evaluate and develop sulfuryl fluoride as a postharvest fumigant. It has proven an effective treatment for all life stages of pest in the postharvest sphere, including phosphine-resistant pests.
Sulfuryl fluoride in South Africa
Fumico is one of two licensed distributors of sulfuryl fluoride in South Africa. It is manufactured and sold under the brand name ProFume® Fumigant Gas. The first fumigation using ProFume was undertaken by us on 8 April 2019
Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigant Gas
Practical Fumigation with Sulfuryl Fluoride
Uses of Sulfuryl Fluoride
Sulfuryl fluoride is introduced into structures as a gas which fills all air spaces in the enclosed area and penetrate cracks, crevices and pores in the wood. The gas penetrates materials quickly and rapidly but dissipates during the ventilation process. It has been widely used as a fumigant to kill both the eggs and adults of insects such as cockroaches, termites, beetles, moths and flies after exposure of 16–22 hours with a concentration range from 0.5 to 3.5 and 5–77 g m−3 for LD95 for adults and eggs, respectively. Sufuryl fluoride is also used (successfully) on postembryonic forms of fleas, rodents, ants, bees, wasps, spiders, millipedes, bedbugs, silverfish, springtails, earwigs, fire- brats, book lice, and brown dog ticks.
It is crucial to contain sulfuryl fluoride for a sufficient period of time so tenting is used around the structure during fumigation. Any opening is sealed (door frames, window frames, key locks or drainage pipes for example) using a specialized ‘Pink Tape‘. Traditional masking tapes or duct tape are too porous to contain sulfuryl fluoride molecules.
Mechanism of action of sulfuryl fluoride on pest infestations
Sulfuryl fluoride has a complex mode of action. It is thought to be toxic primarily through the action of the fluoride ion which it contains. It inhibits oxygen uptake, disturbs the normal phosphate balance, and inhibits hydrolysis (breakdown) of fatty acids. The fluoride ion in sulfuryl fluoride is thought to bind to calcium (leading to spasms and seizures) as well as potassium and magnesium. Enzymes which require a magnesium ion for their normal function are inhibited by sulfuryl fluoride; these enzymes include enolases (used to metabolize sugar) and ATPase, an enzyme that is important in cellular energy metabolism. The end result is that sulfuryl fluoride prevents stored fats from being utilized, and there is insufficient energy for survival.
You can read more about the chemical action and interactions of sulfuryl fluoride here: Fact Sheet from the Journal of Pesticide Reform
Toxicity management of sulfuryl fluoride
Sulfuryl fluoride is “an extremely hazardous gas.” The most straightforward demonstration of its acute toxicity are the classifications and restrictions placed on itsuse by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA classifies sulfuryl fluoride as a restricted use pesticide. This means that the pesticide must be used by or under the supervision of a certified applicator who is wearing protective clothing. Sulfuryl fluoride is also labeled with the signal word “Danger” by EPA, meaning that it is in the most acutely toxic category of pesticides. Because of sulfuryl fluoride’s acute toxicity, all entrances to the fumigated areas must be posted with a skull and crossbones sign. No one is permitted in the treated area without self-contained breathing apparatus until it has been thoroughly ventilated according to approved procedures and concentrations of sulfuryl fluoride have been measured at less than 5 parts per million.
Efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride in South Africa
Since implementing sulfuryl fluoride in South Africa, we have had a 100% success rate in treating all life stages of pest and has even proven effective against phosphine resistant pests. We estimate over 60% of all fumigations are now undertaken with sulfuryl fluoride. Structural fumigation using sulfuryl fluoride is most cost effective as the quantity of gas required is significantly reduced. Read more When Pesticides No Longer Work
A global search for alternate fumigants for export markets
As methyl bromide is phased out globally, alternatives such as phosphine (PH3), ethyl formate (EF) used in quarantine procedures and ethanedinitrile (EDN) have been introduced in various global markets. Each alternative has distinct disadvantages though:
- EF has a high sorption rate and lower permeability because of its lower vapor pressure compared with other fumigants
- Phospine requires a longer fumigation time than MB or EDN and certain pests have become resistant to it.
- EDN is expensive, costing more than twice that of MB, without a significant difference in the treatment efficacy or convenience of use
ProFume Sulfuryl fluoride, however, has shown tangible efficacy in controlled studies such as this one:
The future of sulfuryl fluoride in South Africa
Aligned to the global trend to find more environmentally friendly fumigants, sulfuryl fluoride shows robust promise to replace methyl bromide for all structural fumigations and most postharvest pest management and ISPM15 export requirements.
To date, the efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride is 100% against all life stages of pest. Since it is effective against phosphine resistant pests, its use is warranted in postharvest applications where phosphine may have dominated a decade ago.
Structural fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride is definitively more cost effective than methyl bromide due to its sorption and penetration results. Postharvest use of sulfuryl fluoride is more expensive than methyl bromide, but its effectiveness offers a degree of quality assurance beyond MB.
As more global markets test and accept sulfuryl fluoride results in ISPM15 commodities, the use of sulfuryl fluoride in export markets will exponentially rise.
Within the food manufacturing industry where senstive electrical equipment forms part of automated manufacturing processes, sulfuryl fluoride is essential. Not only is it able to penetrate into the deep recesses of machinary, it does no damage to electrical components and will not effect the taste, colour or aroma of the product.
The use of sulfuryl fluoride is set to increase globally and in South Africa in the forseeable future.
ProFume has quickly gained acceptance in the industry. Here we record snapshots of the teams out and about in the field with ProFume Fumigant Gas.
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- Pets: The animals died in a fumigation tent.
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- ISPM15 regulations require fumigation of logs, wooden furniture and pallets prior to export.
