Pianotech

  • 1.  Termite Infestation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-30-2025 16:16

    My piano movers are picking up a grand piano for storage with termite infestation. The movers don't know if they are dead or not. Currently, we are going to keep it separated from the other stored pianos. Any advice as to kill the termites without damaging parts of the piano and should we wrap the piano in plastic until the termite infestation is resolved. This is not a problem we generally have to deal with here in Seattle.

    Wim, I'm sure you know a lot about termite resolutions.

    Roger  



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    Roger Gable RPT
    Gable Piano
    Everett WA
    (425) 252-5000
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  • 2.  RE: Termite Infestation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-30-2025 16:22
    Yes, we had lots of termite problems in Hawaii.  If there is a pest control company in your area, ask if they "tent" furniture. That's what we did in Hawaii. Take the piano to them, on the skid board and under wrap, and let them kill the termites in the tent. It should work. 

    Wim 





  • 3.  RE: Termite Infestation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-31-2025 03:11

    Roger,

    You can safely allow  an extermination company to fumigate the piano, Vikane gas will not harm finishes metal or felt.



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 390-0512Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 390-0512
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  • 4.  RE: Termite Infestation

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-01-2025 22:38

    Some fumigators have a shipping container in which they will put furniture and gas it, basically what Wim is talking about. Some fumigators will tent individual pieces on-site, this is done here if the furniture can be moved outside to a lanai (patio). Not sure how big your warehouse is but something like that  might work if there's a covered area with good ventilation. 

    All houses get fumigated here periodically and no ill effects on pianos. Finding termites in pianos here is a lot rarer than it used to be. Btw, you might want to inspect the piano beforehand. If it's been badly eaten it could be a lost cause. Usually it's not severe with only minor damage to cabinets but I've seen keys completely hollowed, trap work eaten, bridges. Generally they prefer the soft woods but I've seen them in pin blocks.



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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    Original Message