Greenhouse conditions are an ideal environment for the early cultivation of vegetables and fruits. But, unfortunately, comfortable conditions in the greenhouse also contribute to the beneficial reproduction of harmful bacteria, fungal ailments or mold. To prevent their occurrence allows special treatment - fumigation, during which sulfur based checkers are used. What are the "smoke", and how to use them to disinfect, let's figure it out.

Did you know? People practiced fumigation with sulfuric smoke to disinfect basements, cellars, sheds in ancient times, so it is not surprising that over time special sulfur-based checkers appeared.

The principle of operation of sulfuric drafts

Sulfur checker - a substance presented in the form of tablets, in the middle of each of which is sulfur, in a volume of 750 g / kg. As a rule, one checker can contain from 5 to 10 tablets, which are intended for use on previously calculated areas.

The principle of action of the checkers is quite simple:

• the required number of tablets is set on fire with a wick;
• the product is left to smolder in a room where processing is necessary;
• in the process of smoldering of a fungicidal preparation, sulphurous anhydride is released, which effectively fights fungal infections, germs, mold, etc.

The smoke generated from the checkers seeps into the most inaccessible places of the greenhouse - joints, cracks, fences, contributes to their rapid disinfection.

Important! Sulfuric «smoke» able to completely destroy viruses, bacteria, fungi and small insects. Rodent smoke scares away and depresses their psyche.

Disinfection of the greenhouse with sulfur blocks

Disinfection of polycarbonate greenhouses with a sulfur checker is an excellent prevention of the development of pathogenic microflora. However, before you start fumigating the room, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of using the product.

Benefit

• The use of sulfur "smoke" for processing a polycarbonate greenhouse has several key advantages:
• high efficiency against diseases, fungi, bacteria, parasitic insects;
• excellent penetration, the ability to carry out processing even in the most inaccessible places;
• lightness and extreme ease of use;
• low price;
• availability.

Important! For safety reasons, during the treatment of the room with a smoke bomb, experts advise to remove all flammable objects away.

Harm

• Despite the availability and excellent efficiency, the product has some disadvantages, which you should be aware of:
• toxicity to humans: the substance released during smoldering of a product is highly toxic and, if safety rules are not followed, can lead to severe intoxication of the body;
• weak effect on deep-sitting spores of fungi, mold in wood or soil;
• deterioration of the fertility of the soil due to the ingress of acid into the soil resulting from the contact of smoke with water;
• possible oxidation of metal structural elements under the influence of sulfuric smoke.

Types of Checkers

Smoke bombs in its composition may contain not only sulfur, but also a number of other substances. Depending on the main active component, they can be divided into the following types:

1. Sulfur. As already mentioned, sulfuric acid is presented in the form of a set of tablets, the main component of which is sulfur. When smoldering, the product forms a strong, plentiful smoke, filling the room and destroying microbes. The most popular sulfur products include: FAS, Climate, Pawn.
2. Tobacco. It consists of crushed tobacco chips (nicotine) with the addition of an ignition component and a vegetable combustion stabilizer. The action of the checker is aimed at two main directions: firstly, it acts as fertilizer, allows you to activate the growth and development of crops, increases the protective functions of plants to pathogenic bacteria, and secondly, it eliminates and serves to prevent the appearance of arachnids, insects, slugs. True, such a product cannot cope with rot and fungi. Among tobacco preparations, gardeners prefer checkers "Hephaestus" and "Volcano."
3. Hexachloran. Similar products based on hexachloran have a fairly wide range of contact-gastric action. They are highly effective against aphids, caterpillars, scoops, thrips, whiteflies, however, they are absolutely useless against diseases, from phytophthora and ticks of the herbivorous type. The most used hexachlorane blocks are considered "G-17" and "G-20".
4. Permethrin Permethrin-based checkers are particularly effective in controlling parasites, in particular, caterpillars, all kinds of ticks, whiteflies, thrips and their larvae. One of the advantages of the product is its fire safety, lack of heating during processing. Checkers do not adversely affect the condition of plants and can be used even during the growing season before the onset of the fruiting phase. Permethrin products in special stores are represented by the brands City, Quiet Evening, Tsunami.
5. Bromide. Such a product is distinguished by a pronounced antibacterial and fungicidal effect, it is actively fighting insects, fungal infections, and wet rot. "Smoke" is allowed to be used in the initial phase of the growing season, before the formation of the fruits. The best efficiency among bromide "smoke" has a checker "Whist".

Summing up, it can be noted that the most wide area of ​​influence is sulfur checkers, which is why they most often become the optimal solution for conducting a complete disinfection of the room.

When to process a greenhouse

The polycarbonate greenhouse must be decontaminated in the fall, after harvesting, or in the spring, 14 days before planting. Since the use of sulfur drafts is associated with a large number of risks, before using the product, experts advise to analyze the appropriateness of processing.

Important! Before processing the room, it is necessary to calculate the number of checkers in such a way as to have time to set them on fire and leave the room in 90 seconds, because it takes so much time from the beginning of the smoldering of the wick to the beginning of the emission of toxic smoke.

Gardeners recommend the use of "smoke" in such cases:

• if for several years plants of the same type were planted in the greenhouse, which are characterized by the same diseases and parasites;
• if during the season, outbreaks of bacterial infections characterized by a large area of ​​damage were recorded near the greenhouse;
• if the cultures are affected by insect pests, the fight against which folk remedies or modern insecticidal preparations did not give a result;
• if the plants were attacked by a spider mite, which is difficult to destroy by traditional means.

In other cases, the decontamination of the premises should be carried out using biological products that do not adversely affect the soil and other structural elements.

The technology of processing the greenhouse with a smoke bomb

Since the sulfur block has high toxicity, when using it, it is imperative to follow the decontamination method, safety precautions and correctly calculate the required dosage. "Smoke" consists of several tablets, which makes it possible to accurately calculate the necessary dosage. All calculations are based on the area of ​​the greenhouse. The volume of the active ingredient in the product is indicated on its packaging.

Did you know? The simplest "chimney" can be made at home. To do this, prepare ammonium nitrate, water and newsprint. From saltpeter it is necessary to prepare a solution based on water, soak paper with it, dry and roll it up. Next, it should be installed under a metal can and set on fire.

The following is an example of dose calculation for a greenhouse with dimensions of 3 × 6 × 3 m:

• to fumigate the room, the Climate checker is used, the weight of which is 300 g, that is, 10 tablets;
• in order to find out the required number of tablets, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the greenhouse, i.e. multiply all geometric dimensions: 3 × 6 × 3 = 54 m³;
• according to the manufacturer’s instructions, one checker is enough to process 20 m³ of premises, on this basis, to disinfect this greenhouse you need: 54: 20 = 2.7, t. 3 checkers of 300 g or 29-30 tablets.

The processing technology is quite simple and includes the implementation of several important rules:

1. Removal of vegetation. Fumigation is carried out only after complete harvesting of all vegetation: weeds are torn from the soil, vegetables are removed, tops are burned.
2. Greenhouse cleaning. Before using the “fumes”, a general cleaning must be carried out: the walls are washed with soapy water, paying attention to cracks, joints, where mold can form. At the end of the wash, the walls are watered with plenty of clean water.
3. Soil preparation. Since the smoke does not have the ability to penetrate too deeply, pests located at the depths, even after fumigation, can remain alive. For this, experts advise digging and loosening the soil well so that the parasites and their larvae are closer to the surface.
4. Sealing. High-quality disinfection of the greenhouse is possible only with complete sealing, otherwise the smoke will leak out. Using adhesive tape, sealant or putty, it is necessary to seal the greenhouse, to close up possible cracks, joints, cracks.
5. Protection of metal elements. Since metallic parts of the structure may oxidize when in contact with smoke, they are advised to be pre-lubricated with solid oil or any plant-based lubricant.
6. Individual protection. Since sulfuric smoke is toxic and can cause irritation if it enters the mucous membranes and skin, you need to take care of personal protection - wear a protective suit, glasses, gloves.
7. Moisturizing surfaces. To increase the effectiveness of disinfection, you should first moisten all surfaces with water.
8. Foundation preparation. Since the checker is very hot during the action, for its installation you need to prepare a special, non-combustible base, for example, a sheet of steel, an enameled bucket or a bowl.
9. Kindle "Smoke" should be installed on the base strictly in an upright position, while under the pill, which is located on top, you need to insert the wick. After making sure that the wick caught fire, you should quickly leave the room, closing the door tightly.
10. Product action. Smoke continues to spread through the greenhouse for several hours, completely filling the room, settling on the walls and ceiling, penetrating joints and cracks. The impact of sulfuric matter on parasites and bacteria lasts up to 72 hours, which is why you should not go into the greenhouse at this time.
11. The final stage. After 3 days, it is necessary to open the room, ventilate it well, rinse all surfaces with clean water.

To protect the greenhouse from the harmful effects of fungi, mold, various parasites and ailments, it is enough to conduct decontamination with a sulfur block once a year. For greater efficiency, fumigation with a checker can be combined with other methods of disinfecting the room. But it should be remembered that any processing requires strict adherence to the rules and safety precautions.