Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Okay to spray Permethrin on the back of the piano?

Hello,

Sorry for posting this here. I went to search the forum for answers but couldn't find any.

I recently purchased a used Yamaha U3 and I've been looking for ways to termite-proof it. I've seen a shelf and furniture in a different part of the house with holes and grains made by wood worms. I bought an aerosol can of colorless solignum wood preservative (Permethrin 1.6g/liter, Propiconazole 1.25g/liter, Tebuconazole 1.25g/liter, and Petroleum Solvent/Propellant) and I was wondering if this can be sprayed on the back of the piano, particularly on the soundboard and postings, without affecting the sound and mechanism of the piano itself. Thank you.

I am not an expert on these questions, but my brother is an entomologist, and lives next door to someone who does pesticide registration, and he has talked about problems with various pesticides. I would refer your question to people like them.

However, pianos sit on casters, which are metal or plastic and thus insect-proof. Also, insects need moisture, and pianos are dried when they are manufactured. I would suggest keeping the area under the piano cleaned out, inspecting for any signs of insect activity if it is a problem in your area, and other than that, not worrying too much about it.

Thank you for you reply.

I really hope the termites and wood worms will not bother the piano! However the nearest piano technician is about 170kms from where we live, so there's an urge for me to be more proactive in preventing these things from happening.

I would really like to spray the piano with the solignum wood preservative just to add a layer of protection. Is it okay to do this? I'm worried the wood might expand too much if it soaks up the liquid solution and affect the quality of the soundboard and mechanism of the piano action. Cheers.

Considering that permethrin is simply an insecticide made from chrysanthemums, I cannot see any reason that it would harm the wood in the piano. However, for it to be effective in any way I would think you would need to treat the BOTTOM of the piano first and then move up from there. In order to do this you would need to upend the piano. Are you prepared to do this?

However you don't want to be soaking the entire structure of the piano or you'll be asking for trouble. Some people are sensitive to this and other chemicals so bear that in mind also

Peter Grey Piano Doctor

Permethrin may be made from something originally "natural," but that does not mean it's not nasty stuff. It's what you put on your pants (never skin) to keep ticks off. There are plenty examples of chemicals made from natural sources that are not healthy. Digitalis is made from a plant--take it and you heart may stop. That's why one should be cynical about so-called "natural" remedies. I would investigate Permethrin thoroughly because it will take quite a bit to cover the back of a piano. Not sure if I'd want that in my house.

Would you recommend contacting a specialist in wood treatment?

The amount of permethrin needed is so small that it won't be a problem anyway.

This should be used extremely diluted, 0.1ml per square meter is recommended, don't know american units for volume, but it's approximately nothing per square foot.

I wouldn't do it. It doesn't help because I assume you are not going to spray it on the inside and on the action and the keys. The soundboard is treated with lacquer, and woodworms like bare wood.Just take a good look every now and then and if you see little holes in the wood, call a professional.
You can check if there are still woodworms in the shelf and the furniture by placing a white paper or sheet underneath it and see if there is sawdust on it a few days later.

Yes, but getting even coverage at that sort of dose is only going to be possible if you greatly dilute the stuff before applying it and then you will be adding more moisture to the piano than you want. And as for safety, you can use as much Permethrin as you like but I'm not going to have any in my house whatever the manufacturers say is a safe dose - we all have our own views on what risks are necessary and tolerable.

The OP lives in an environment with termites and woodworms. If I were in that situation, I would want to do something to protect my new piano. My vote would be to contact a professional—- a piano restorer, tech or dealer.

Or as I said originally, a pest control professional.