5 replies to this topic

[Kwitzats]

Spilled some fluon in my out world that is connected to my nest by a grout floor. The grout soaked it up but I don't know about fumes or whatnot. Is there anything I should do?

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Not sure how to clean it out of grout, but the stuff is fairly nontoxic. If I recall right, the fumes are only a problem when it's heated. When inhaled it causes instant flu-like symptoms (and your face might turn blue) where you should contact a doctor immediately. This condition has a name and I believe it's the same thing as injecting Teflon.

 

So overall not harmful, just don't cook your setup or go nuts with a heat lamp.

[drtrmiller]

If I recall right, the fumes are only a problem when it's heated. 

 

Incinerated through smoking, not heated. The plastic resin easily withstands temperatures over 500 F, which is why it's marketed for high-temperature applications.

 

As far as removing it, you're only going to be able to do that if it has not dried, by rinsing the contaminated surface with water until it is clear.  Once it is absorbed into any plaster or grout, it is going to stay there.  Generally, ants that encounter wet fluon will not drink it or be harmed unless it covers their spiracles and inhibits them from breathing.

Edited by drtrmiller, May 5 2016 - 3:44 PM.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

I recall hearing that it washes out of clothing, even when it's dried. It fails at high humidity so chances are it can be washed away eventually, just not sure how well it washes out of a porous stone-like material.

[Kwitzats]

I haven't smelled it but I was under the impression it was suspended in alcohol. I just ran a fan overtop for a bit and no ant keeled over, so I think I am good.

[drtrmiller]

I recall hearing that it washes out of clothing, even when it's dried. It fails at high humidity so chances are it can be washed away eventually, just not sure how well it washes out of a porous stone-like material.

 

Correct. Clothing is different than a hard, stone-like material.  I'm not even sure the resin particles are small enough to be absorbed—they may just sit on top of the material while the water is absorbed—much like diluted sodium hypochlorite solutions are ineffective against fungi growing more than a mm or so into plaster and wood.

 

I haven't smelled it but I was under the impression it was suspended in alcohol. I just ran a fan overtop for a bit and no ant keeled over, so I think I am good.

 

It's water and a PH buffer that acts as a preservative.  I've added alcohol to the mix for internal testing purposes, and it clumped together, rendering it useless.  No reputable vendor would add any alcohol to the suspension.

Edited by drtrmiller, May 5 2016 - 6:01 PM.