Disinfecting greenhouses: increased choice for formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide

Growers are increasingly opting for double security when it comes to disinfecting the greenhouse. Fogging company Van Eck Bedrijfshygiëne notices an increased choice for treatment with formaldehyde, turbo fogging, and cold spray with disinfectant based on hydrogen peroxide. "They don’t want to take any risk," says Paul van Eck, founder of the company.

 “Growers are looking for maximum security,” explains Van Eck. “They don’t just settle for the fogging; they want the cold spray as well.”

First, the greenhouse is treated with formaldehyde, then, the greenhouse is equipped, after which a treatment with the hydrogen peroxide takes place. "The greenhouse remains closed, and they know that there is no contamination with the start of the crop," says Paul van Eck. "During the crop rotation many people still work the floor, so you don’t know what kind of stuff ends up in the greenhouse from outside. The damage of a contaminated crop is too large to take risks." An additional advantage of the cold spraying is that the AC foil is immediately disinfected. "Growers still think that if you can’t disinfect if the AC foil is still in situ, because you can’t vent," says Paul van Eck. "But if you use hydrogen peroxide, there’s no problem."

With cold spray, a disinfection substance based on hydrogen peroxide is blown through the greenhouse. This usually happens a few days before the new crop starts, and may take place when the AC foil is already in place.