Mashenka for cockroaches is an almost legendary remedy, which even those who have never encountered the problem of the appearance of synanthropic insects are likely to have heard of. On the Russian market you can now find several drugs with the name Mashenka. They have different release forms and different active ingredients. The most popular of them are:
- Chalk Silver Mashenka (manufacturer Agrovit, Gigiena-Bio)
- Granules Mashenka (manufacturer Agrovit)
They will be discussed in more detail below.
How Mashenka chalk works against cockroaches
Granules and chalk have completely different compositions and methods of application, so they must be considered separately. Since chalk is the primary form of existence of this drug, let's start with it. How does Mashenka chalk work against cockroaches?
The composition of the Silver Mashenka chalk includes:
- Zetacypermethrin 0.1%
- Deltamethrin 0.05%
- Gypsum
- Chalk
The main active ingredients of chalk, zetacypermethrin and deltamethrin, are pyrethroids.
Pyrethroids are chemical substances artificially created in the image and likeness of the natural insecticidal components of pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are found in the flowers of some plants in the aster family, such as Dalmatian chamomile. Synthetic analogues of pyrethrins are widely used in the control of synanthropic insects around the world. Zetacypermethrin and deltamethrin have a nerve-paralytic effect on the body of insects. By touching the stripes and marks left by the chalk, cockroaches apply poison to themselves and other individuals, which gradually leads to the death of all parasites that had direct or indirect contact with the poison.
- Chalk Mashenka is suitable for independent use at home.
- According to various toxicity parameters, the insecticide belongs to the 4th class of danger for humans and warm-blooded animals.
- The product is produced in the form of crayons weighing 20 grams, each of which is packaged in an individual plastic bag.
- The shelf life of the drug when unopened is 2 years.
- The product acts on insects for another 4–6 weeks after application, gradually reducing its activity.
- A 20-gram chalk is designed to treat a room up to 30 square meters.
In addition to cockroaches, Mashenka chalk can be used to combat ants, bedbugs, fleas and flies.
Granules Mashenka
The composition of Mashenka granules includes:
- Azamethiphos 0.4%
- Stabilizer
- Bitrex
- Preservative
- Binding agents
- Sweeteners
- Filler
The main active ingredient of the granules, azametifos, is an organophosphorus compound. Azamethiphos has a nerve-paralytic effect and is able to penetrate the pest’s body along with food or through tactile contact with the poison.
- The product is suitable for independent household use.
- According to various parameters, the drug belongs to the 4th class of danger for people and animals.
- The insecticide is produced in the form of small yellow, orange or lilac granules, packaged in bags with a volume of 10–250 grams or polymer containers with a volume of 10 grams to 2 kilograms.
- The shelf life of the product in unopened packaging is 3 years.
- When used, the drug retains its toxic properties for about 1 month.
Mashenka granules can be used to kill cockroaches, flies, ants, fleas, woodlice, earwigs, crickets and other insects.
Helpful advice
Mashenka is a recognizable name, so many manufacturers widely use it to create trade names for their products. The products can be in the form of granules, crayons, aerosols, adhesives, traps and vary in composition, so read the instructions for the product you are holding in your hands and are going to buy.
Terms of use
Cockroach chalk is a rather primitive remedy. You can enhance its effectiveness using the following rules:
- Preparing premises before treatment. When you decide to paint, you should first do some general cleaning, especially cleaning hard-to-reach places.
- The drawing needs to be updated. Approximately 6-7 days after application, the insecticide begins to lose its activity. The layer needs to be refreshed about once a week.
- Even if you have never seen cockroaches in your apartment, it is better to treat inconspicuous surfaces (the back walls of furniture, ventilation, etc.) with chalk.
- No need to save. The thicker the drawn line, the better the product will work. The strip must be at least 1 cm wide.
- It is better to paint on a damp surface. Under the influence of water, the contact effect of the product increases significantly. Before applying chalk, the surface should be wiped with a damp cloth.
- It's better to close the curtains. Under the influence of direct rays of the sun, the effect of the product weakens. For this reason, it is better to close the curtains during the day during treatment.
REFERENCE! “Mashenka” copes not only with cockroaches, but also with other possible pests in the home.
Mashenka for cockroaches: application
Despite the different form of release and method of use, granules and Mashenka chalk act on pests according to the same principle, provoking the same disorders of nervous processes in the organisms of parasites.
Chalk Mashenka
Chalk Mashenka is designed for independent household use, however, it is often used by specialists of some sanitary services as an additional barrier protection when carrying out professional treatments with insecticidal fog.
- Wear household gloves.
- Open the package with scissors and pull out the crayon without removing the plastic completely.
- Draw 2-4cm wide chalk stripes in places where you often see insects.
- When dealing with cockroaches, the most suitable areas to apply the product are along baseboards and door frames, behind furniture, under window sills and along window frames, around vents, on the back of furniture, in areas near pipes, in joints inside cabinets and cabinets, near the garbage can, around stoves, under sinks, bathtubs and kitchen sinks.
- The chalk stripes should be left for 2-3 weeks.
- After this time has expired, the lines must be washed off using a soap-soda solution or any cleaning agent and water.
Chalk Mashenka has a contact-intestinal effect and, like other insecticides of the pyrethroid group, poisons those cockroaches that come into contact with the poison.
The stripes he draws do not become boundaries that pests cannot cross. The shape of the chalk only makes the use of the drug more convenient. Granules
Mashenka granules against cockroaches are a universal remedy; their use is permissible at objects of any purpose, from residential premises to industrial and food enterprises.
- Wear rubber gloves.
- Prepare the substrates on which you will place the granules; they can be cardboard, plastic, polyethylene, or commercial closed houses designed specifically for placing baits.
- If the number of cockroaches is small, about 100 milligrams of granules are placed on each substrate; if there are many insects, from 200 to 300 milligrams.
- Place the substrates in places where you often see clusters of cockroaches or running individuals.
- Place baits at the rate of 3–5 substrates for every 10 square meters.
- Insects will begin to die near and directly on the substrates after 2-3 days.
- The remains of pests must be removed by adding new granules to the substrates to the original volume as needed.
Both chalk and granules should not be used near food, utensils, or pet food.
Products must not get into water or sewage drains. Do not use medications where they can be easily reached by small children, cats, dogs, or other pets. These recommendations for use are provided here for your reference. The full text of the instructions is contained on the packaging of the products you purchased and in the instructions for the drugs No. 009/01 dated November 23, 2005 (for chalk) and No. 015/15 dated February 20, 2015 (for granules).
Helpful advice
If you value your health, do not want to use poisons yourself at home and test various products for effectiveness without guaranteeing results, you can order professional treatment of your apartment from cockroaches at the Dez Group SES and get rid of pests with just 1 procedure.
Security measures
The effectiveness of Mashenka chalk is determined by the presence of harmful chemicals in its composition that can harm the health of humans and pets. Therefore, when working with this drug, you should adhere to certain rules:
- It is prohibited to carry out pencil treatment in rooms where small children and animals live.
- When working with chalk, you should use rubber gloves and a face mask. It is also advisable to protect your eyes with glasses. When working with chalk without gloves, you should hold it without completely removing it from its original packaging.
When starting to work with chalk, do not forget about safety measures - Do not apply the product to the interior surfaces of cabinets where food and utensils are stored.
- When using a processing method that involves grinding chalk into powder, you must carefully ensure that particles of the substance do not get on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.
- After completing work with the drug, you should thoroughly wash your hands and face with soap.
After handling insecticide, wash your hands and face thoroughly.
Pros and cons of the drug
It seems strange that a small white block can solve the problem of harmful bugs scurrying around the house.
Especially when it comes to a room where children, pets or people suffering from allergies live. In such a situation, you need to be wary of any foreign substance, especially a toxic one. Positive qualities of the insecticide:
- low toxicity;
- no odor;
- low cost;
- easily applied to all coatings and simply washed off;
- multifunctional - works against several types of pests.
This is interesting: the development was originally created in the 80s to protect supplies in military units. Only in the early 90s the drug appeared on the public market, having proven itself well.
The negative side of using a pencil should be considered in more detail:
- In case of contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes or respiratory tract, it may cause irritation, allergies or mild poisoning.
- Another disadvantage is the visual unaestheticness of its use. Not everyone will like seeing an apartment covered in white stains. When the insect infestation is small, its habitat is primarily in the kitchen or pantry. But in advanced cases, you will have to outline the entire apartment, not excluding cabinets, chests of drawers and sections from the inside.
- The drug does not last long. The lines need to be periodically updated, having previously erased the old “drawings”. Efficiency decreases especially quickly when exposed to direct sunlight.
- Chalk “Mashenka” is not a brand. The name is not protected by copyright, so the drug is produced by many companies specializing in the production of insecticides. When choosing a product, you need to pay attention to this and give preference to a product that is produced by a company with a good reputation.
The appearance of chalk from different brands is almost the same. The main difference lies in the level of efficiency.
Prevention
Mashenka chalk is used not only to destroy a colony of arthropod pests. Housewives use insecticidal pencils when carrying out preventive measures. With their help, they outline the likely routes of entry of arthropod pests into the house. Additionally perform the following actions:
- Regularly remove organic debris and trash from your home.
- Carry out regular house cleaning and wet cleaning.
Manufacturers pay a lot of attention not only to the selection of components, but also to the preparation of instructions. It includes the rules and features of use and preventive measures. The result depends on the correct execution of all actions.
