Sulfur bomb: use for a polycarbonate greenhouse or cellar, harm and benefits of the product

Sulfur, or smoke, bomb is a fungicide that is used to destroy fungal spores, get rid of bacteria that cause infections and mold in vegetable storage, basements, greenhouses and greenhouses vacated in the spring. A smoke bomb has a short-term effect against mice and rats, destroys harmful insects and temporarily scares away moles. Our article will help you figure out how to use it and how long to treat the room.

Description of the product and principle of its action

A smoke bomb visually represents a package weighing 300 grams. It is usually collected from 5-10 tablets, which are enough to treat a room with a volume of up to 20 cubic meters.

Smoke bombs are filled with various chemicals. The most common ones are:

sulfur;
permethrin;
tobacco dust;
hexachlorane;
didecyldimethylammonium.

Most often, sulfur and tobacco bombs are produced, which will be discussed. In the first model, the active substance is sulfur, which belongs to the second hazard class and is toxic to people, birds and bees. It is prohibited to set it on fire in the basement under a residential building or under the floor.

The industry produces several types of such checkers, but their operating principle is the same. After igniting the fuse, the combustion process begins, during which the checker emits sulfur dioxide. It is lighter than air, and therefore completely fills the smallest cracks and crevices, having a detrimental effect on pathogenic microbes and insects.

This is interesting: smoke bombs are divided into universal (they get rid of mold and parasites) and specialized (against moles, rodents and insects).

What not to do

When working with sulfur bombs, it is strictly forbidden to:

Use them in residential areas.
Use for cleaning and disinfection of chicken coops, cowsheds, beekeeping areas, etc.
Be in the room being cleaned when the bomb burns. The smoke is extremely poisonous!
Process a personal basement in a shared storage area without the consent of all co-owners. Smoke will inevitably seep into neighboring basements.

And remember: a sulfur bomb is, although a civilian, quite a chemical weapon. Don't joke with it and use it correctly!

Disadvantages and pros

Like any fungicide, a smoke bomb has positive and negative sides. Disadvantages include:

high degree of toxicity of the emitted smoke;
the toxic substance is absorbed into vegetables and fruits;
oxidation of metals was observed during use;
fire hazard: the product may ignite flammable materials;
water poisoning: if ground flows come close to the soil surface, the saber should not be used to treat the basement;
poor penetration into soil and wood: fungal spores and pests, without prior preparation, remain in the thickness of the black soil, and mold remains in the boards;
destruction of plants: burns remain on living crops after exposure.

Despite the long list of disadvantages, this product also has advantages. For example:

efficiency;
sufficient efficiency;
ease of use;
convenience;
safety during ignition: before combustion begins, the wick pauses for 1 to 2 minutes.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at when it’s worth treating a greenhouse with a sulfur bomb.

Chemical properties

When burned, the product produces sulfur dioxide. When mixed with water in the air, the substance produces sulfuric acid. Therefore, it is forbidden to leave jars that have metal lids indoors, as corrosion processes will start.

The active substance of the sulfur block has a water-removing effect. Therefore, in addition to complete disinfection, it significantly reduces the humidity parameters in the room. After complete ventilation, it is possible to completely remove toxic substances from the basement.

Using sulfur bombs in a greenhouse

Fumigation of greenhouses, greenhouses and greenhouses is often carried out in the fall, when the crops have already been harvested and the premises have been cleared of plant debris. Such actions are repeated in the spring, before planting, or when the seeds have already been sown. But processing is possible only as long as there are no green shoots. After this operation, it is advisable to water the soil with phytosporin so that the necessary microflora is restored.

Important: in order not to destroy beneficial microorganisms in the soil, it is forbidden to use more checker tablets than indicated in the instructions.

It has been noticed that low-temperature soil absorbs sulfuric acid more efficiently. This means that when the soil cools down to 10 degrees, the maximum impact occurs.

Getting started involves several sequential steps, according to the developed instructions:

Get rid of plant debris. It is recommended to burn them to prevent the spread of diseases settled in the stems and leaves.
Wear personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, raincoat).
Make the room as airtight as possible in order for the smoke to work better, and in order to protect the surrounding area: you may need to coat the joints with sealant.
Wash all surfaces with soapy water, saturate them and the ground with water. Metal ceilings should be primed or painted to avoid oxidation.
Before starting treatment, it is recommended to dig up the soil, since larvae and mold particles can lie in deep layers.
The required number of checkers must be placed on iron sheets measuring at least 70*70 cm, or on bricks. If there is a dry island of soil left, you can install the tablets directly on it. Lastly, press the wick so that it protrudes to the side by about 3 centimeters.
Light the wick and note whether smoldering has begun.
The wick burns for about 2 minutes, giving the person the opportunity to leave the room and close the door as tightly as possible. If cracks are found, they should be sealed with tape.

To combat moles, checkers are usually placed in holes so that smoke fills the passages and smokes the animal away from the area.

For polycarbonate greenhouse

A smoke bomb for a polycarbonate greenhouse covered with film or glass is used when its frame is made of wooden beams and beams. When it is made of metal, the sulfur smoke will oxidize it, and the greenhouse will be damaged.

Polycarbonate does not visually deteriorate from exposure to smoke. Climatic factors such as sun rays and low temperatures bring much more harm to it. But before fumigation, all polymer surfaces should at least be wiped dry.

Now the industry produces bulk sulfur block for a greenhouse made of polycarbonate. It operates on the principle of an aerosol and almost does not damage the surface of the structure.

Important: in case of urgent need, metal structures are sometimes treated with special protective compounds. But these are very labor-intensive actions.

Sulfur bomb for the cellar

In cellars there is often high humidity, as a result of which mold grows rapidly. It appears due to insufficient ventilation or frequent flooding. In such conditions, it is impossible to get rid of perennial mold and fungi, even with repeated treatment. Therefore, the sulfur bomb is used as a temporary salvation.

And if the basement is located under a residential building, then the treatment is very dangerous. Once smoke enters the room, the acrid smell will permeate everything, and you will have to clear out the stench for at least a week and a half.

Therefore, before fumigating the cellar, you need to weigh the pros and cons. If moisture stagnation occurs once, then it is better to dry the room naturally. In case of regular flooding, it is advisable to equip the cellar with forced ventilation and replace rotten boards. Before these measures, it makes no sense to treat it with sulfur smoke.

Gas protection

The ideal protection against toxic smoke is a gas mask. But it is allowed to replace it with a respirator. It is also necessary to wear tight-fitting glasses, which are often prescribed for use in small rooms. Ideally, you should have separate protective clothing, such as a thick coat or gown, gloves and a hat.

It is better to carry out the processing together. During fumigation, it is forbidden to eat or drink, and animals, children and other people should be kept as far away as possible. After setting fire, you should immediately leave the room, as smoke vapors are extremely toxic. In the case when several checkers need to be set on fire at the same time, movement begins from the furthest one, gradually moving towards the exit, and so quickly as to leave before the smoke begins.

How to understand that you have been poisoned by a smoke bomb

There are several signs that can tell you that you have been exposed to sulfur smoke. Among them:

dizziness;
headache;
wheezing, difficulty breathing, suffocating cough;
pain in the eyes and lacrimation;
swelling and mucus from the nasopharynx;
In case of severe poisoning, nosebleeds are observed.

As soon as you determine that a person has been poisoned by sulfur gas, he should be immediately taken out of the place of smoke and contact a toxicologist as quickly as possible. In case of acute signs of poisoning, you must call an ambulance.

Important: smoke bombs should be stored in their original original packaging, in a place inaccessible to children, animals and open flames.

Safety precautions

To avoid harm to health, it is important to follow these recommendations:

choose the most closed clothing;
wear thick gloves;
wear glasses that fit tightly to your face;
use a gas mask or respirator;
put on a hat.

If there is a residential building above the cellar, it is important to lay dense material in the underground. There should be no gaps.

After using the substance, all items must be removed and dry cleaned. In this case, exposed areas of the body should be rinsed well. After finishing ventilation in the basement, you need to do a thorough wet cleaning. If there are remains of mold or fungi on the walls, it is recommended to remove them with a brush.

Items that were removed at the preparatory stage may be returned to the premises only after 5 days. If there is a strong smell in the basement, it is recommended to place a candle near the ventilation pipe.

Review of manufacturers

There are several types of smoke bombs available in specialized stores. The most popular among them are:

"Pawn-S", "Pawn-B" - have proven themselves well in polycarbonate greenhouses. The sulfur in them is not compressed, but poured. It operates on the principle of a pesticide aerosol, filling greenhouses not with smoke, but with microparticles of sulfur. With this method, the amount of sulfuric acid is much lower than the limit. It is advisable to have forced ventilation in the room being treated, and then leave it closed for at least 12 hours to allow the aerosol to settle. Price from 400 rub.
"Climate" - represented by large tablets, collected 5-10 pieces in cylinders, and a wick. Both one tablet and the entire pyramid are set on fire. Disinfects greenhouses in 36 hours. The basement should be disinfected at least 5 days before planting the crop. The price of a package (10 tablets) is within 70 rubles.
"FAS" - one of the most affordable sulfur bombs. It looks like a smoke grenade, and is also enclosed in a polycarbonate casing. Can be produced in the form of a triangle or a cylinder. Comes with a wick. It is extremely toxic and requires long-term ventilation at the end of the treatment process. It is prohibited to light in sheds where livestock will presumably be kept. Price from 90 rub.

In addition to smoke sulfur bombs, tobacco and permethrin bombs are also produced. They have a third hazard class. These devices are approved for use in the presence of animals, in general premises, are not toxic to living plants and are harmful to parasitic insects. Among them it is necessary to note:

"Volcano" - consists of tobacco dust, but it is still not recommended to be nearby. Costs from 200 rubles;
"Hephaestus" - has a tobacco component, so it can be used next to living plants (on average 250 rubles);
"Whist" - fights various fungi and lasts for more than six months. Available at a price (from 50 rubles).

In general, treating a room using a sulfur bomb is not difficult. The main thing is to take precautions, strictly follow the instructions and do not smoke in the presence of animals and people. And regular use of the product will save you from mold in the corners of the basement and pests in greenhouses.

Step-by-step instruction

When using sulfur bombs, you must adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

Initially, you need to check and make sure that all through cracks have been plugged and the windows are closed.
Place a smoke bomb in the center of the room being treated. In this case, it should be placed on a surface made of non-combustible material; ceramic tiles, bulk dishes or brickwork are best suited.
Pour plain water into the jar in which the checker is placed. In fact, all models have a special mark that shows how much liquid it needs to be filled.
The jar itself must also be immersed in a container of water.
Depending on the type of product, a chemical reaction will begin after contact with water or you will need to light the wick using a previously prepared reliable lighter.
Immediately leave the area being treated.
After at least three hours, the room must be opened, go inside only wearing a respiratory mask and rubber gloves on your hands. Wet cleaning will be required, as well as high-quality ventilation to get rid of the smell of sulfur burning.