Treatment of plants with dust has not lost its relevance to this day, despite the fact that there are preparations much more modern than it. Let's consider what it is, types, physical and chemical properties, degree of resistance to decomposition, effect on harmful insects. Use according to the instructions of the dust, rules of use, similar drugs, what can be replaced.
What is dust
This is the name of the preparative form in powder form. This is a mixture of the active substance of a chemical and a filler, which is intended for pollination.The drug was discovered in 1873, but only half a century later it was discovered that it acts as a poison on insects. After this, the dust began to be used as an insecticide in fields and on private farms.
Types of pesticides
The most famous dusts are DDT and HCH. They have different compositions and belong to organochlorine compounds. Available in powder, wettable powder, concentrated emulsion. They work as pesticides with intestinal and contact actions. They are applied to plants by dusting and spraying.
Physicochemical characteristics
DDT or dichlorodiphenyltrichloromethylmethane is a substance in the form of white crystals, is poorly soluble in ordinary water, and is better diluted in organic and other solvents. Dichlorodiphenyl trichloromethylmethane has a sharp, characteristic odor. DDT is also called another insecticide - dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, which has a similar effect.
Various inert materials are used as fillers in the preparation: kaolin, chalk, talc, clays, silica gel and others. The amount of active substance is regulated by the activity of the drug and its purpose; it is 1-10%.
The dust has a long shelf life compared to many other pesticides; it can be stored in a cold room and at elevated temperatures.
Degradation resistance
The insecticide formula is resistant to decomposition in the soil. It is not affected by destructive enzymes, temperature, or light; it penetrates into the environment unchanged. The substance and its metabolites can accumulate in plants, soil, water, and in the tissues of higher animals and humans.
Impact on pests
The pesticide specifically affects the transmission of nerve impulses in pests; it disrupts the interaction between sodium and potassium in the membranes of nerve cells.After long-term use of a chemical substance, insects can develop an addiction, as well as to other COCs. Various types of insects can become resistant, such as potato beetles, house flies and mites.
Instructions for use
Dust was used against insects - pests of crops and carriers of various infections in animals. This drug was produced in different concentrations: 5.5% and 10% of the powder used for dusting.
Wettable powders of 30 and 50% concentration and concentrated mineral oil emulsion of 20% were intended for the production of aqueous suspensions. Technical dust was used on large areas of collective farms.
Dust was previously used as an important contact insecticide to control leaf-eating insects on almost all crops. You can spray the solution or sprinkle it with dry powder if for some reason it is difficult to prepare the solution. Sprinkle with a thin layer, work in the absence of wind so that the powder does not blow to the side onto other plants.
Safety precautions for use
Dust does not linger well on vertical surfaces. The powder collects dust easily, so it is not recommended to work in windy conditions. When stored in a humid room, the dust cakes.
It has been established that dust can accumulate in adipose tissue. It is poorly soluble in water, but accumulates in aquatic organisms to high concentrations. It can accumulate in plants, animals, and then in the human body. In the next link of this peculiar chain, the concentration can increase by an order of magnitude.
Due to the low solubility of dust in water and significant solubility in fats, it is retained in fat cells. The rate of accumulation of the compound depends on the concentration, duration of exposure, animal species and conditions. Toxic effects may occur over a long period of time after the compound accumulates in the body.
Dust can be present in the soil for up to 12 years; in conditions without the presence of air, bacteria decompose it within 2-4 weeks. At elevated temperatures, decomposition occurs faster.
How dust affects people: it is dangerous for humans; poisoning can occur even in small doses, but without noticeable consequences. In large doses it leads to death. The compound may be present in the blood, penetrate into adipose tissue, and milk.
Dust affects the immune system, inhibits the activity of enzyme substances, and inhibits the creation of antibodies. Does not have a mutagenic, carcinogenic or fertility-reducing effect, and does not have a toxic effect on embryos.
When working with dust in any preparative form, you must strictly follow your own safety rules. It is necessary to work in clothes that will cover the entire body, that is, wear trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a respirator and glasses on the face. Hands must be protected with long rubber gloves.
After finishing the treatment, you need to wash your hands and face with soap, remove and wash your clothes. Dry it. If the solution gets on your skin, wash it off with water to avoid irritation. Rinse your eyes if the substance gets into them. Rinse if liquid or powder enters the stomach. Rinse with activated carbon and water (1 liter and 6-7 tablets). After 15 minutes of administration, induce vomiting.If it does not improve, be sure to seek medical help.
Acute intoxication is possible when inhaling the powder, symptoms appear after 4-5 hours, these are weakness, nausea, drooling, runny nose, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fever, then bronchitis or tracheitis may develop as a sign of damage to the respiratory system. If the dust gets on the skin, poisoning is also possible, which begins with skin irritation. If the substance gets into the eyes, pain may occur in them and conjunctivitis may develop.
Symptoms of chronic intoxication after prolonged contact with dust: headache, sudden fatigue, loss of appetite, cramps and pain in the limbs, sweating, trembling in the legs and arms, palpitations, shortness of breath, polyneuritis, emotional instability, tingling in the arms and legs. There may be numbness in the forearms, changes in vision and speech, hepatitis, bronchitis, gastritis, impaired kidney function, eczema and other skin diseases may develop.
Analogs
For household use against household pests, you can use “Klopoveron”, “Riapan” with the active substance permethrin, “Phenaxin” with the active substance fenvalerate, “Fas-double” against bedbugs, “Hexachloran” and others.
In agriculture, dust can be replaced with insecticides with various active ingredients. These are more modern drugs that are not inferior to it in effectiveness, but are much safer.
Dust is the first effective synthetic insecticide, which has been used since the 40s of the 20th century. Despite its effectiveness, its use is not recommended because it is toxic and often causes poisoning, especially if used frequently. Now there are drugs that can replace this substance and will not harm plants, soil, or animals.
