OK to leave computer on during fumigation?

[tracerit]

We're getting the house fumigated (using VIkane gas) and was told the house would be tented and get hot. I asked how hot and the guy couldn't answer it, he pretty m uch just said the house would be tented and no air in or out mostly. Temperatures for our fumigation days are expected to be in the high 80's.

I'm concerned about burglary so I'll have some motion detector auto dialers (simple devices that plug into the wall and a telephone cord to call out on motion) but I'd like to have my cameras up and running too. For these I'm using my PC. The concern here is that I'm not sure what temp the inside of the house will be at for me to run the PC safely and not pose a fire hazard.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You can leave it on - if it overheats it should just turn itself off.

 

[KillerBee]

... OP comes home to a PC full of roaches camping out to avoid the poison

 

[dave_the_nerd]

... OP comes home to a PC full of roaches camping out to avoid the poison

If the computer is running, all the fans will ensure that there's plenty of poison moving through the PC.

Although that concerns me a bit. How long will it take the coating of pesticide to break down? (I honestly have no idea, I've never had a house fumigated and I don't know what the rules are.) Do you have to have your couch and stuff cleaned off too?

 

[nisryus]

It depends on the gas they use, some penetrate very well and you have to cover/bag things up. I remember reading about this at other forums that some gas leave more residue, so you will need to clean your computer afterward.

I would be more worry about burglary. Last year a family in my neighbor had their house fumigated, and it was burglarized. I would get the expensive and important items out of the house before fumigation.

 

[JackMDS]

I would take the computer out or switch it Off and cover it with a big tied plastic bag.

 

[tracerit]

They're using vikane gas only which doens't leave any residue however I've ran into reports that heat + vikane gas will be an issue but no one specified how hot. I'm planning on running my fans full blast and remotely monitoring the temps. If it gets too hot (over 60C), I'll just turn it off remotely.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

This would be a great excuse to get your cameras connected to a Raspberry Pi. Could leave that sucker sealed in a tupperware and it wouldn't mind in the least. Would also be able to run off of a battery if the power went out.

 

[pcgeek11]

If you are that worried about a break-in during fumigation you should probably move. I would also like to inquire about what kind of thief is going into a house full of poison gas?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I would also like to inquire about what kind of thief is going into a house full of poison gas?

Meth addicts. Duh.

 

[tracerit]

I'm in a cul de sac so the chances of a break in are highly unlikely to nill. But for peace of mind, I'd like some way to check things out. There have been two reports of break ins, one where two guys came in with gas masks and another who didn't and pretty much killed himself.

I've decided I'm just going to take my computer with me and rely on the motion sensors.

 

[tracerit]

Seems like it's ok per Vikane's website: http://www.dowagro.com/vikane/faqs/

[q]Can the air conditioning be left running during fumigation?

Leaving the air conditioning on is desirable when homeowners have temperature sensitive items inside the house, such as wine cellars, computers that must be kept cool, etc. In most residential homes the air conditioning may be left running during the fumigation, provided the compressor unit, which normally sits outside the structure, is NOT covered by the tarps. Window air conditioning units are not suitable to be left on because they would normally be covered by the tarps.[/q]

So I actually have it on now, luckily today is a breezy cool 73F outside. Looking at my temps, CPU seems to be 45C after 5 hours of being tarped, was 40C before. Not bad.