Since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, Brookfield-based American Dry Basement Systems never has been busier disinfecting homes and businesses with a botanical agent.

"We're buying it by the pallet load, which is hundreds of gallons at a time," said Peter O'Shay, founder of American Dry Basement Systems and MoldPro. "It kills all bacteria, germs and influenza."

American Dry Basement, which has been using a proprietary thyme oil-based liquid made to remove mold, has been getting more calls to use it to sanitize buildings, O'Shea said.

"If we're out for waterproofing, people also ask about the disinfectant," said O'Shea, who employs about 100 workers to cover southern New England. "We're getting about 40 calls a day and are doing about 20 homes a week."

His business is also gettingrequests to disinfect commercial buildings, such as a large hotel in southern Connecticut, and is in the process of cleaning several buildings at the University of Bridgeport, O'Shea said.