High-quality treatment of basements, cellars, and greenhouses protects plants and crops from mold and fungi. A sulfur checker for cellars can kill harmful insects, mold, and rot on any surface. It's worth noting that the product is also used to disinfect areas where animals are kept (cowsheds, poultry houses). The product is easy to use, but safety precautions are essential.
Description of sulfur checker and its mechanism of action
The active ingredient in smoke bombs is sulfur (750 g/kg). This macronutrient is used in agriculture to combat bacterial infections, pathogens, mites, and harmful insects. The procedure involves igniting the bomb. It is during combustion that sulfur vapor is released, which exhibits fungicidal properties.
Sulfur activity depends on air temperature. Maximum effectiveness is achieved when using the candle in temperatures ranging from +16°C to +25°C. To achieve the desired effect, the sulfur candle must burn for a long time. Only then does the active substance cover the surfaces with an even layer.
Basic chemical properties
Sulfur is a yellowish solid. It is practically insoluble in water and alcohol, but dissolves in organic solvents. While sulfur itself is inactive, it is the vapors of elemental sulfur that have fungicidal properties. When the sulfur plug burns, the vapors penetrate the mycelium and spores of the fungus, disrupting the hydrogenation reactions.
What is it used for?
In agriculture, the product is used to disinfect empty cellars, greenhouses, and hotbeds. The premises are treated to combat bacterial infections, harmful insects, and pathogens.
To protect greenhouses from fungus, treatment is carried out before planting crops.
Fumigation of empty spaces and warehouses is carried out before filling them with vegetables and grains. Producers recommend storing crops 45-48 hours after basement treatment.
Pros and cons
Various means can be used to combat fungal diseases and harmful insects. The benefits of sulfur checkers:
- High efficiency. Compared to similar products, one product can treat three times more space;
- ease of use of checkers;
- contributes to increased crop preservation;
- The penetrating ability of the active substance. Smoke easily spreads to hard-to-reach places (foundation cracks, joints between frame elements);
- Cost-effectiveness. One checker is enough to disinfect 10 cubic meters of cellar space;
- The quality of the product allows us to effectively solve the problem of fighting insects, pests, and fungal diseases.
However, when using the product, one must take into account its negative qualities: the toxicity of the smoke; when treating greenhouses, only the top layer of soil is disinfected; along with harmful soil microorganisms, beneficial ones are also destroyed.
Rules of application
When treating rooms with a sulfur candle, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Procedure:
- Vegetables and food items should be removed from the premises before the smoke bomb is installed. Metal objects that could oxidize (tools, containers) should also not be left behind.
- Place candles without wicks throughout the room. The recommended consumption is one 300g candle per 5-10 cubic meters of space. To improve the airtightness of the room, seal cracks in door frames and cellar lids with a damp cloth.
- Place the candles vertically on fireproof supports (such as a metal sheet or a layer of sand or earth). Remove the protective packaging and insert a wick into each candle, allowing it to burn for 1.5-2 minutes. Before lighting the wick, ensure you can quickly exit the room. To ensure the effectiveness of the procedure, it's important to close the door tightly.
The basement or room can be used after thorough ventilation (approximately 30-48 hours or until the odor completely disappears). It is advisable to treat greenhouses in the fall, after the end of the growing season. In the spring, disinfection should be carried out no later than 1.5-2 weeks before planting (when the air temperature does not drop below 10-15°C).
Precautionary measures
When using a sulfur candle, be aware of the product's toxicity. It's important to note that the fuse, not the tablet, is lit (to ensure escape). When using the product, observe safety precautions:
- After processing the basement or warehouse, you cannot enter the premises for one to one and a half days;
- if you smell even the slightest burning smell, ventilate the room further;
- It is prohibited to treat rooms containing flammable objects;
- It is prohibited to use disinfectant in city apartments in multi-story buildings, as toxic smoke can easily penetrate into adjacent occupied spaces.
The simultaneous use of sulfur checkers and other chemicals is prohibited, as the effects are difficult to predict. In case of sulfur gas poisoning, symptoms may include itchy eyes, nosebleeds, and headaches. Immediately move to fresh air and seek medical attention.
Where to buy and price
Sulfur checkers are readily available at any specialty pesticide store. The retail price ranges from 50-60 rubles. The manufacturer determines the cost.
Sulfur candles are ideal for protecting premises from mold, rodents, mites, and fungal diseases. Application is simple and requires no expense or skill. However, the toxicity of the smoke emitted during combustion must be taken into account.