By Daily Press Staff
CIVIC CENTER Some may joke that it’s a circus in City Hall, and while there will be a tent covering the historic structure starting this afternoon, you won’t find any clowns, elephants or tigers inside.
What you will find there is plenty of termites. Dead termites to be exact.
City officials have contracted with a fumigation company to eradicate a persistent termite problem. For several years, City Hall has contracted with a pest control company to locally treat termites in various areas throughout City Hall. The extent of the dry wood termite colony has grown to the point where localized treatment is no longer effective.
After discussions with several pest control companies, city officials decided fumigation is the best option. Innovative Pest Management will be performing the work.
After 5 p.m. today, the entire building will be tented. The building will be locked down and no one will be permitted to enter. A security company will be hired to ensure that there is no access into the facility throughout the process.
Fumigation will begin Friday evening and continue into Saturday. Once the fumigation is completed, the tent will be removed. The pest control contractor will begin aerating the building which will continue through Monday, according to city officials.
Testing of the air will be continuous throughout this time. The fumigation company will give the approval as to when the building can be reoccupied.
Information concerning the dry wood termite issue, the fumigation process and the types of chemicals to be used in the treatment has been provided to all full-and part-time and as-needed employees at City Hall as well as a checklist for preparing the building. City Hall employees and visitors had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Innovative Pest Management earlier this month.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 18, 2008. Read the original PDF.