Now is the time to treat the walls
Published 1:14 pm Monday, October 16, 2017
Dawn Burleigh/The Orange Leader Agri-Phene is one suggested product to use to treat the walls before putting up sheetrock in ones house.
By Dawn Burleigh
The Orange Leader
Farmers Mercantile reopened its doors just two weeks after the storm which left 12-18 inches of water inside the store.
“Neighbors helped neighbors,” Jo Harris said. As she talked about the new pine boards used to replaced the damaged oak board in the floors.
Farmers Mercantile, an old fashioned general store where one can find anything from hay and feed to decor and unique kitchen items.
Customers stopped by the store after the flood last year and requested products such as Agri-Phene and Evapo-Rust.
“Agri-Phene is agri safe,” Harris said. “If I can use it around my animals, it can be used in the house.”
The product is a moldicide to prevent and stop mold from spreading.
Evapro-Rust is used to clean tools and cast iron skillets.
“It can be used on anything metal,” Harris said. “Don’t throw those items away. This stuff flat works.”
Harris explained how to clean metal items by placing them in a crawfish pot and boiling them for 30 minutes and then reseason the iron skillets.
Harris also said the time to treat for pesky insects is now why the walls are gutted to the studs.
“While the walls are exposed is the time to treat for termites which will also help stay rid of bugs later,” Harris said.
Harris suggested products such as boric acid, Permethrin SFR, Termite powder, Roach and Ant Killer and Roach Tablets.
“The older generation did this and never had bugs,” Harris said.
Mold and fungi can cause wood rot which can encourage termite activity later.
“I used the Agri-Phene after the flood last year and had good results,” Harris said.
Harris said having the products available for her customers is important.
“If businesses like us can’t help our community and take care of friends and customers, what good are we?” Harris said.
It is that attitude which kept her pumping water from under the store for three days.
While working on the store, she also helped her neighbor across the street – Orange Stationer.
“The storm brought people together of all backgrounds,” Harris said. “Our country needs to take a lesson from Orange.”
Farmers Mercantile is open 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri. and 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sat. at 702 West Division Ave. in Orange.
