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Polycarbonate greenhouses help create almost ideal conditions for the growth and development of cultivated plants. But these same conditions also attract their many enemies: harmful insects, small mammals, spores of fungi and bacteria, and viruses. In a closed room of a greenhouse, not all means of controlling plant pests are effective. In addition, many of the parasites are microscopic in size and like to hide in numerous crevices and other places inaccessible for processing. At the stage of too intense infection with parasites, it is advisable to use the help of smoke fumigation of the greenhouse. Both the harm and the benefits of sulfur checkers for treating greenhouses are approximately at the same level, so you should be well aware of situations where their use is really justified.
Benefits of fumigating a greenhouse with a sulfur checker
Fumigation, or the treatment of greenhouses with smoke, has been used for many decades and enjoys well-deserved respect not only among summer residents, but also among professionals who grow flower or vegetable crops in greenhouse industrial complexes. The essence of this method is that the entire greenhouse room is filled with a large amount of smoke that can penetrate into all, even the most inaccessible cracks and holes. Smoldering sulfur blocks release sulfur dioxide, which completely destroys viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, as well as larvae and adults of insect pests. Smoke also has a depressing effect on rodents, creating a deterrent effect. Thus, long-term protection is created against almost all diseases and pests that can affect cultivated plants grown in greenhouses.
The benefits of using a sulfur checker for a polycarbonate greenhouse
The sulfur checker, depending on the manufacturer’s company, is a tablet or a single tube, the main active ingredient of which is sulfur at a concentration of about 750-800 g / kg.
Among many other types of fumigators, sulfur checkers have the following undeniable advantages:
- Perhaps it is the most versatile in application, because no one can resist sulfuric gas, neither insects with rodents, nor various fungi, nor bacteria with viruses.
- The smoke is able to penetrate and disinfect the surfaces of the most inaccessible and impervious areas in the greenhouse.
- The very scheme of using sulfur checkers is not difficult; even a novice gardener can handle the processing of greenhouses.
- Finally, in terms of material costs, sulfur checker is one of the most affordable means of preventive and therapeutic treatment.
Pros and cons of use
In addition, the obvious advantages of using sulfur checkers include the relative speed of solving the problem. The very emission of smoke occurs within a few hours, after which the effectiveness of the impact remains for several more months.
It is impossible not to note the high efficiency of the impact of this tool. Indeed, in some cases, the fight against the most resistant insect pests (for example, whiteflies or spider mites) or bacterial diseases, all other means do not guarantee such an almost 100% solution to the problem.
But sulfur checkers during the processing of the greenhouse, in addition to benefits, can also bring significant harm if you do not follow the safety measures and the basic rules for working with them.
Substances that are formed as a result of the interaction of sulfuric gas with water have a destructive effect on any metal structures. And greenhouses made of polycarbonate are based most often on a metal frame. With a conscious choice of sulfur blocks, all metal parts of the greenhouse must be protected by priming or painting. Better yet, treat them with any fatty substance (for example, grease), which will not allow the metal to enter into a chemical reaction.
The smoke that is released during the use of a sulfuric bomb interacts with water and other substances present in the greenhouse soil (for example, wood ash) and forms different types of acids: sulfurous, sulfuric. They are able to kill not only harmful microorganisms, but also those that improve soil fertility. At the same time, the effect of smoke does not extend to the deepest layers of the soil. Therefore, after fumigation, it is necessary to additionally treat the soil in the greenhouse with special preparations containing a complex of beneficial microorganisms (Baikal, Fitosporin and others).
Smoke, in addition, has a very negative effect on any organic beings. Treatments cannot be carried out in the presence of any plants, and therefore it is important to consider the timing of the fumigation operation with this agent.
And, of course, smoke is a hazard to human health, so be sure to follow all precautions.
Types of checkers for processing greenhouses
In general, several types of smoke bombs are known for processing greenhouses. They differ in the composition of the main active ingredient and, therefore, have their own characteristics of use.
- Sulfur smoke bombs have the widest spectrum of action and are used against insects (whiteflies, aphids), arthropods (spider mites), slugs, snails, fungi, mold and various rots of bacterial origin.
- Didecyldimethylammonium bromide checkers are relatively safe to use and are used primarily to combat mold and fungi that cause fusarium, phomosis and other diseases, as well as pathogens of bacterial diseases.
- Hexachlorane smoke bombs having a nerve-paralytic effect, they fight well with a variety of insect pests that live in the soil and butterfly caterpillars. But they are useless in the fight against spider mites and fungal or bacterial infections.
- Таtank checkers safe for plants, so they can be used during the growing season, but are effective against slugs, arachnids and insects. But they are useless for fighting diseases.
- Permethrin smoke bombs especially well cope with all flying insects, ants and a moth.
How to use a sulfur bomb in a greenhouse
To get the maximum effect from the use of sulfur checkers and not harm either yourself or the plants, you need to know and follow all the basic rules for its use.
When to process a greenhouse with a sulfur checker
In autumn, the most optimal time comes for processing the greenhouse with a sulfur checker. The best time is right after the full harvest. This usually occurs in late September or October before the onset of persistent frosts. It is important that the temperature of the soil in the greenhouse at the time of processing does not fall below + 10 ° C.
If the infection of the greenhouse does not have a serious scale, then a single autumn treatment is sufficient. In winter, with frosts, all other parasites should die.
But there are special situations if there was no time to carry out the processing in the fall or the degree of infection of the greenhouse is too high. In this case, you can process the greenhouse with a sulfur checker in the spring.
But one should take into account the fact that at low temperatures there is too intensive absorption of the resulting sulfuric acid by the soil. Therefore, in order not to harm the plants, it is necessary to wait until the soil surface warms up to + 10 ° C. On the other hand, after treatment with a sulfur checker, at least two weeks must pass before planting seedlings or sowing seeds in a greenhouse. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the current weather conditions and choose the moment of processing the greenhouse with a sulfur checker in the spring very carefully. Depending on the region, it can occur in the interval from the end of March or the beginning of April to the end of April or the beginning of May.
How many sulfur checkers do you need for a greenhouse
Sulfur checkers are most often sold in packs of 300 or 600 g. Instructions for using sulfur checkers for a greenhouse say that about 1 g of the drug should be used per 60 cubic meter of volume. Accordingly, one package should be enough for 5 or 10 cubic meters of greenhouse air volume. It is important to note that it is the volume that should be calculated, and not the area of the treated surface.
For example, for a standard polycarbonate greenhouse measuring 3×6 meters, about 2 meters high, you need about 3-4 packages of sulfur blocks, weighing 600 g.
However, the consumption of sulfur checkers also depends on the manufacturer. For example, in the instructions for the “Climate” sulfur bomb for a greenhouse, it is indicated that only 1 g is used per 30 cubic meter of air, that is, exactly one tablet, which is part of the preparation (to combat mold, fungi and bacteria).
Therefore, before buying and using a sulfur checker of a particular company, it is advisable to carefully study the attached instructions.
How to use a sulfur checker in a greenhouse
Before disinfecting a polycarbonate greenhouse with a sulfur bomb, it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning in it, make sure that the building is as tight as possible and protect all metal structural elements.
- All dry plant debris is removed and burned, and the earth is dug up to move insect larvae closer to the surface.
- All auxiliary equipment is also taken out of the greenhouse, and the racks, shelves and polycarbonate coating are washed with soapy water and then rinsed with water.
- The entire surface of the soil and polycarbonate is moistened with water from a hose for greater efficiency of the sulfur bomb.
- Windows and vents are tightly closed, and all polycarbonate joints are treated with sealant. Seal whenever possible all the cracks in the doorway.
- All metal parts are painted or lubricated with grease, such as grease.
When carrying out the actual fumigation, non-combustible stands are prepared for the stable placement of sulfur checkers. It can be bricks, stone or concrete blocks. They must be stable and take up much more space than the sulfur block itself. So that in case of an accidental fall, the checker does not ignite. It is necessary to place the total number of sulfur blocks so that they are evenly distributed throughout the greenhouse.
Since the smoke that begins to be released after smoldering is dangerous not only for inhalation, but also when it comes into contact with human skin, it is necessary to protect yourself well from it when ignited. Clothing should tightly cover all parts of the body, and the face should be protected with a respirator and goggles.
After installing the checkers, set fire to the wick. If it is not there, then you can use pieces of paper, newspaper, or, in extreme cases, kerosene. In no case do not use gasoline to ignite sulfur checkers. If everything went well, then dark spots appear on the surface of the tablets and acrid smoke begins to stand out. From this moment, you should leave the room as soon as possible and close the door behind you as tightly as possible.
Sulfur bombs smolder for several hours, after which the greenhouse should be left in a hermetically closed state for another day for the most complete disinfection. Then open all windows and doors and ventilate the greenhouse for at least 2-3 days.
Do I need to wash the greenhouse after sulfur checkers
The internal surfaces of the greenhouse do not need to be washed after fumigation with a sulfur checker, as this will preserve the therapeutic effect for a longer period. But it is desirable to treat the soil with agents containing live microorganisms, and apply additional doses of organic fertilizers.
Precautions for using Sulfur Checker in Polycarbonate Greenhouse
As mentioned above, sulfuric gas can lead to serious poisoning when inhaled. In addition, when the gas interacts with water, an acid that corrodes the skin is formed. Therefore, one should responsibly treat the protection of the body, mucous membranes and respiratory organs from harmful effects. Mandatory headgear, completely covering all parts of the body, gloves, goggles and a respirator.
After the wick ignites, there are literally two minutes left before intensive gas evolution begins. During this time, you need to have time to leave the room and not endanger your health.
Conclusion
Both the harm and the benefits of sulfur checkers for polycarbonate greenhouses can equally serve as arguments for and against their use. Everyone must make their own choice based on their own specific situation.
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