Should i take the precautions?

[16gallontanker]

We might have a exterminator come out for roaches tommorow since that's the case and I have to go to work that day should I cover the tanks with towels and turn off the filters while I'm gone? Last time my fish survived but I don't know if I should chance it .

 

[fishorama]

I haven't had to deal with exterminators (yet?). Towels may allow some pesticide to get through the porous fabric. I think trash bags taped over the tank, with filters & air stones turned off. Maybe leave the lights off too.

Good luck! I would like to hear how it works out for you & what you did. Did you get a hint of when it will be safe to return? Do you need to wash all dishes & pans, etc.? Or maybe just a baseboard treatment everywhere? This scares me a little too. Did they say what chemical they'll use?

 

[jaylach]

I haven't had to deal with exterminators (yet?). Towels may allow some pesticide to get through the porous fabric. I think trash bags taped over the tank, with filters & air stones turned off. Maybe leave the lights off too.

Good luck! I would like to hear how it works out for you & what you did. Did you get a hint of when it will be safe to return? Do you need to wash all dishes & pans, etc.? Or maybe just a baseboard treatment everywhere? This scares me a little too. Did they say what chemical they'll use?

I agree especially if there are any air pumps involved. If there are air pumps also wrap them in plastic to prevent anything from getting in the intake.

 

[Colin_T]

Are they spraying outside only or inside as well?

It depends on what they are using to spray. If they use something like Bifenthrin, tell them to fuplie off and use something safe.

If you have airpumps, they need to be turned off and kept off until there are no fumes left in the house.

External canister filters can be left running but cover the tops of the tanks with plastic to stop fumes getting onto the water.

Internal power filters can be kept running.

HOB power filters can be kept running but cover the filter and tank with plastic. Make sure the plastic doesn't interfere with the water coming out of the filter.

If it's the same company you used last time and the same substance being sprayed, do whatever you did last time. The fish were fine then and should be fine this time if you follow the same procedure.

 

[16gallontanker]

Thanks ill give yall a update if they show up today.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I am not 100% certain, but I believe that roaches are not usually killed by sealing the home and then fogging the home with chemicals. I believe the killing agents are actually applied to surfaces usings sparys and dusts and using poison in traps. Only when the infestation is really bad will they spray and, in the worst cases, seal and fumigate.

So, before you go nuts on taking protective measures you should ask what they plan to do. If they are going to fumigate the entire hose I am not sure how well you can protect tanks. If you seal them and have no air exchange the oxygnen in the water can be used up and the fish will suffocate. If that is the case you would have to get the fish and their tank(s) out of the home before they fumigate.

From the Google AI:

To treat homes with roaches, pest control professionals and homeowners alike often use a combination of methods, including cleaning, removing clutter, applying insecticides like boric acid or diatomaceous earth, and using bait stations, with the goal of eliminating roaches and preventing future infestations.

3. Professional Pest Control:

Exterminators:
For severe infestations, consider contacting a professional pest control company.

Treatment methods:
Exterminators may use a range of methods, including insecticide sprays, baits, and dusts, to target roaches and their hiding places.

Fumigation:
In severe cases, fumigation, which involves sealing off a facility and introducing a fumigant gas, may be necessary.