Termites at John's Pass

By PAUL SWIDER, Times Staff Writer
Published November 30, 2007

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MADEIRA BEACH - The big tent's going up at John's Pass, but the circus isn't coming to town.

Store owners at John's Pass are preparing for next week's "mass slaughter" of termites, which have infested 42 stores in part of the shopping-entertainment complex.

Starting Monday, the strip of shops along Village Boulevard from 129th Street north will be enclosed under 25 tarps while St. Pete Termite injects Vikane gas into the space to kill drywood termites.

The exterminator planned to start setting up tarps as early as today, but businesses will stay open during the weekend.

Vikane, or sulfuryl fluoride, will kill anything in the buildings that needs oxygen, said Leroy Maurer, general manager for St. Pete Termite.

Business are set to reopen Wednesday. Because Vikane is harmful to humans, the treatment area will be cordoned off and guarded.

"Closing retail in December is not a pleasant experience, but it needs to be done," said Jeff Antous, owner of Angel Haven and the building that houses it at 12949 Village Blvd.

Paul Swider can be reached at pswider@sptimes.com or 892-2271.