“These historic treasures have withstood the test of time since 1886, but are now threatened by drywood termites,” said Bill McDole, district manager for Truly Nolen of America. “We are looking forward to helping preserve a distinctive part of Florida history in working to evict these damaging insects.”
Drywood termites are very difficult to detect. They live deep inside wood and, except during periods when they swarm or when repair work is being done on infested homes, they are seldom seen.
Fumigation of the three Edison buildings is expected to take 10 technicians and use at least one crane, but should be complete within a day.
“We’ll have the tenting up on Monday, perform the fumigation, and take the tenting down on Tuesday,” McDole said.
Termites are no small problem. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause an estimated $2.5 to $3 billion in damage in the United States each year to homes and commercial buildings.
Truly Nolen, which treats thousands of homes across the U.S. each year, is no stranger to historic structures. Ron DeSear, Truly Nolen’s vice president for operations, said the company has performed fumigation services on the Ringling Home in Sarasota, the Heard Museum of native cultures and art in Phoenix, as well as Plant Hall on the University of Tampa campus. Plant Hall, built in 1891 as the Tampa Bay Hotel, played host to Teddy Roosevelt, Baby Ruth, the Queen of England and actress Sarah Bernhardt. In 1987, when Truly Nolen fumigated the 4.5 million cubic foot building, it was the largest such extermination effort in the world.
Restoration efforts at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates began three-and-a-half years ago. The Edison Home, dubbed "Seminole lodge" by the Edisons, served as a winter retreat and work place for the inventor until his death in 1931. The home was designed by Edison and built in sections in Maine before being shipped to Fort Myers by sailing schooners and erected in 1886. In 1947, Edison’s second wife, Mina, donated the estate to the City of Fort Myers and in November of that year, public touring of the estate began. The estates are located at 2350 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.