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[drupal=65]Natural Pest Control - Dry Ice Insecticide![/drupal]
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Waiting for the right time to transfer my RETF into his new home, I developed a slightly nasty bug overpopulation in my 44 gallon hex that was finding it's way into the rest of my home.
searching for a good form of Organic pest control I found only 2 real options, and only 1 that would really DESTROY the problem overnight (or in 1 hour).
blast the tank with CO2.. Dry Ice Insecticide!
Next time you do this, put aluminum foil across the top of your tank and tape it all the way around to seal the sides. It's possible that you will still have pest problems because you didn't completely eliminate all the oxygen in the enclosure. By closing the top and sealing it, you eliminate all O2 from the atmosphere inside the enclosure. Leave it that way for a couple of hours at least to ensure the little unwanted beasties are dead.
ahhh . I didn't think to really seal it in. I placed about 3 layers of towel over the top of the 3x3x3 triangle opening in my hood. I still haven't taken any of it apart so hopefully not much escaped.
Probably a stupid question really but going to toss it out there just the same lol. im a gluton for punishment
If the tank is sealed at the top how does the O2 escape? wouldnt you just create an 50/50 O2/CO2 mixture and the Dry ice quit sublimating due to equalizing volume pressures and temp. Wouldnt this only lead to the tape holding the foil down to pop off due to mentioned pressure and your back at square one with no seal? im thinking Dry Ice Bombs here.
Have i lost whats left of my mind? never attempted this route of extermination before just wondering is all.
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As environments change, no human ideal standeth sure...
Probably a stupid question really but going to toss it out there just the same lol. im a gluton for punishment
If the tank is sealed at the top how does the O2 escape? wouldnt you just create an 50/50 O2/CO2 mixture and the Dry ice quit sublimating due to equalizing volume pressures and temp. Wouldnt this only lead to the tape holding the foil down to pop off due to mentioned pressure and your back at square one with no seal? im thinking Dry Ice Bombs here.
Have i lost whats left of my mind? never attempted this route of extermination before just wondering is all.
I was thinking the same thing. According to the article about the same subject on this site the top has to be slightly open to allow the air to escape and you therefore end up with CO2 in the tank.
. the theory is that the air will be pushed UP and OUT whether or not the top is sealed
oh ya.CO2 is heavier then air, tottaly agree with ya but how does something get out of a sealed container? does the word " sealed " in this senario not inherently mean the inability to pass from one side to another. the air would then just be pushed to the top and all the bugs would use the plants or silicone,background etc. to gain higher ground, you know, where the O2 is trapped due to the seal not letting it be expelled.
__________________
As environments change, no human ideal standeth sure...
It's not as if "sealing" with aluminum foil & tape is truly sealed--it will not be totally air tight. The O2 will be pushed up--you'll see the foil puff up--and will slowly escape.
Yes, the CO2 will push the breathable air up & out without sealing the top, and more quickly.
However, the main thing about using the foil or something to seal the top of the tank is to slow down air circulation removing the CO2 so that it's in the tank long enough for the unwanted critters to asphyxiate.
Without the seal, the normal air circulation in the room allows the CO2 to be removed & replaced pretty quickly, sometimes too quickly to allow a complete kill.
When you leave it sealed for a couple of hours, they all die--I didn't have any critters left, and I had a bad beetle infestation.
i don't think seal is really the right word. you more want to block off air flow to allow oxygen out and keep air from flowing in. if you were to seal (make the tank air tight) the pressure would raise and possible cause a blow out, breaking some seals along the sides or bottom of your tank. this is no good!
i think covering up the top would do fine, aslong ad air can move through it, but not allow wind in. when the sublimation starts to slow down, you can cover it a little more.
i don't think seal is really the right word. you more want to block off air flow to allow oxygen out and keep air from flowing in. if you were to seal (make the tank air tight) the pressure would raise and possible cause a blow out, breaking some seals along the sides or bottom of your tank. this is no good!
i think covering up the top would do fine, aslong ad air can move through it, but not allow wind in. when the sublimation starts to slow down, you can cover it a little more.
I think you have the golden answer there. Cover, but don't seal. I would lay cardboard over most of the top(which is the same way I keep humidity and temp up in my viv)
Natural Pest Control - Dry Ice Insecticide!
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