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Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

General

What is Cryonite, and how does it work?
Cryonite is an alternative to insecticide and chemical-based pest control solutions. This technology is non-toxic and effective. The method consists of spraying frozen (-110 °F) liquid carbon dioxide (co2) to kill insects. The frozen co2 freezes insects to death and leaves no residue. Cryonite contains zero chemicals so pests will not develop a resistance to the treatment.

The most common insects susceptible to Cryonite are roaches, bed bugs, and stored product pests. Some companies have also used Cryonite in their stinging insect protocol. Since the cold snow expelled by the Cryonite applicator is lethal to many insects, it has many potential applications on sensitive accounts and unusual items.

 

If you have used Cryonite against another pest in a unique situation, we would love to hear how it worked for you!

Cryonite will kill most insects. Bed bugs, roaches, and other insects can be very hardy pests. Many survive days, weeks, or even longer in what we would consider being cold weather. However, the “snow” expelled by the Cryonite wand is -110 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much colder than anything a bed bug would experience in nature’s winter months when the temperatures drop. The snow will kill the vast majority of small and medium-bodied pests on contact. Some larger-bodied insects may survive the blast of snow, particularly if they harbor an area that prevents direct contact. In these cases, Cryonite will typically flush and damage the insect, after which you can easily remove them with a vacuum.
Vacuums are valuable pest control tools, but they are not a replacement for a Cryonite machine. Vacuums typically won’t dislodge bed bug eggs or flush out pests. More than likely, you will not have success vacuuming insects out of electronics or commercial kitchen equipment, but you would undoubtedly want to vacuum them up after you flush or kill the bugs.
Some items may be difficult to treat with Cryonite, similar to a heat treatment, chemicals, or other methods. However, that doesn’t mean that Cryonite isn’t a valuable tool in many pest control applications. While Cryonite might not wholly treat the deep recesses of a couch or large stacks of clothing, it is a superior option for treating items such as electronics, outlets, and antiques. Cryonite shines for treatments of sensitive environments, such as commercial kitchens, hospital rooms, and movie theaters. Think of Cryonite as part of your pest control processes, not a stand-alone tool.

Since there is no residual protection with Cryonite, how can you be sure you contacted every insect?

 

Typically Cryonite is not intended to be used as a stand-alone product. For instance, if you were to go into a commercial kitchen and use nothing but Cryonite against german cockroaches, you could significantly reduce the population of roaches, but some would likely remain and reproduce.

 

Repeating a Cryonite application in addition to the following would institute a minimally invasive and incredibly effective pest control process:

  • Vacuum to remove dead roaches and stray food
  • Glue monitors
  • Roach bait
  • Insect growth regulator
  • Desiccant, or insecticidal dust

 

This method would not only achieve a quick knockdown of the pest population but also creates a greater chance of long-term success than many applications of a repellant insecticide.

Blowing insects off the surface depends on the knowledge and skill of the person using the machine. The pressure applied to the wand triggers determines the speed and force at which carbon dioxide leaves the nozzle. It is best to use the minimum pressure needed to provide an adequate layer of dry ice snow to the insect. You should only use higher pressure when the pest or application site requires it. For example, harder pressure would be beneficial when the target is hard to reach or see, like inside machinery in a food production facility.

 

On the other hand, lighter pressure should be to get rid of bed bugs on the seam of a mattress because temperature, not force, kills the insect. Using more working pressure than necessary does not have any additional benefit. It just uses extra C02 gas.

There are several reasons to use Cryonite in conjunction with chemical treatments:

 

  • A chemical application might not be appropriate in all situations, like treating items sensitive to moisture like electronics.
  • Many customers may also look for companies that seek to reduce their use of chemical insecticides. Often, they are willing to pay more for a treatment that reduces the number of residual chemicals used in their home or business.
  • Your treatment protocol will have a lower chance of failure due to insecticide resistance, and your lower chemical cost would increase profits.
  • Using an integrated approach that blends non-chemical techniques, like Cryonite and vacuuming, with residual treatments reduces the chances for certain target pests, like bed bugs, to develop resistance.
  • The freezing effect provided by Cryonite can also loosen encrusted debris and soil, providing a cleaning system.

The short answer, yes. Except for a few items, including:

 

  • Light bulbs, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and fire suppression systems.
  • Some pest professionals have reported that Cryonite can negatively impact some types of memory foam used in mattresses and pillows.
  • Some fragile or thin materials may also be affected by dry ice snow.

 

If in doubt, apply to a small, inconspicuous test site to determine any reactions with the surface.

No. The co2 snow is dry ice, which evaporates directly into a gas without leaving moisture behind. However, as the treated item cools, moisture in the air may condense on the surface. Any moisture created by condensation will quickly evaporate as the surface warms.
Yes. Cryonite is safe to apply to electric equipment but avoid direct application to electronics circuits and components. Moisture resulting from condensation can have negative effects on some electronic components. To be safe, disconnect/unplug electrical appliances.

Any person who uses the Cryonite equipment should receive training using this manual and other Cryonite training materials before using Cryonite in the field. Typical pesticide regulations should not apply to Cryonite; however, consult your state’s regulations to ensure you remain in compliance.

Before You Use/Setup

Is there any risk of suffocation when using Cryonite?
Laboratory studies and countless real-world experiences found no risk in well-ventilated rooms. If you treat an area that is very small or unventilated, you should exercise caution and take short breaks regularly. Keep in mind that carbon dioxide gas is heavier than oxygen and can displace other gasses in low areas. If you begin to feel short of breath, immediately discontinue the application of Cryonite and move to a well-ventilated area.
Only when treating large cracks, deep cracks, or voids to reach or flush out insects hiding inside. Operate the Jet Nozzle at 50% pressure of the trigger, NOT full pressure. You should use the standard nozzle for most applications because it produces higher quality snow, as it contains the optimum ratio of dry ice particle sizes.
In most cases, the grounding cable is not necessary. Use it when applying Cryonite around electronics (integrated circuits), as a static discharge can damage these.
The dry ice snow emerges from the lance at -110°F (-78.5°C). The temperature of the target surface can drop to -20° to -40°F (-30° to -40°C) depending on the application, type of surface, and other circumstances, and is cold enough to kill all developmental stages of insects or mites. Take great care to avoid direct contact with exposed skin and eyes during application.

The following are approximate weights:

 

  • Lance is 2 lbs (1 kg)
  • Hose & trolley are about 26 lbs (12 kg)
  • The weight of the co2 cylinder depends on the size (An aluminum cylinder containing 20 lbs (~10 kg) of liquid co2 weighs about 55 lbs (25 kg)

 

Disconnect the cylinder from the hose & trolley before storing it in a vehicle. For safety reasons, the cylinder combined with the trolley is too much weight to lift together.

Troubleshooting

Lance isn’t working. Can I fix it myself?

DO NOT attempt repairs yourself—authorized Cryonite personnel should complete all repairs. Please email customer support at [email protected] or contact us here for help and details.

Most likely, the co2 cylinder tank is missing a dip tube. At the top of all co2 cylinder tanks, there is a certain amount of co2 gas. The lance converts the liquid co2 into the dry ice snow. Without a dip tube, only co2 gas — not liquid co2 is entering the lance. Check with your local gas supplier that you have the correct type of aluminum co2 cylinder.
Check if the washer ring is in place and good condition. The washer ring stops the hose-to-bottle connection from leaking. If the ring is damaged or missing, replace it with a new ring.
A small amount of turbulence occurs within the hose, resulting in a slight cooling of the connection. This cooling does not affect the production or quality of the dry ice snow.

You may run into this issue if you have already connected the hose to the cylinder and opened the cylinder valve before connecting the lance. The pressure in the hose prevents the successful connection between the lance and the hose.

 

To resolve this issue, close the cylinder’s valve and release the pressure in the hose by unscrewing the hose nut near the cylinder about a half turn. When the gas pressure releases, retighten the nut. Connect the hose to the lance, and reopen the valve.

The high-speed Jet Nozzle is NOT meant for continuous use. When this occurs, wait for 20 to 30 seconds until the snow/ice has evaporated, then try again.

Lasting snow can have several causes. The dry ice snow layer is too heavy or thick, or the surface is providing an insulating effect. The dry ice snow takes longer to evaporate when applied to insulating materials like carpeting or food items like flour.

 

When the dry ice snow layer takes longer than 30 seconds to evaporate, some insects may survive the treatment.

Maintenance

How can I tell how much gas is left in the bottle?
You can find the empty weight of the cylinder stamped on the bottle, and the only way to be sure is to weigh it. Note that you cannot use the last pound or so of co2 in the cylinder.
Usage of co2 will vary depending on the size of the area and level of infestation. A 20 lb (~10 kg) cylinder of liquid co2 will last less than 20 minutes of continuous application with the trigger fully pressed. However, when the application is performed correctly with short bursts and at lower pressure, the time will increase.
A welding gas supplier should have siphon tube co2 cylinders in stock and fill tanks or swap them between uses. Some common national brands include Airgas, Praxair, Nexair, Air Liquide, and Linde. Many fire extinguisher service companies are also able to fill co2 tanks.

Store cylinders at temperatures below 85°F (30°C) with ideal storage temperature being 60° to 75°F (15° to 25°C). Temperature is also important when transporting the cylinder. If the temperature inside the cylinder exceeds 120°F (50°C), the result may be a loss of co2 gas through the safety release valve. A hot cylinder can also affect the rapid freezing properties of the dry ice snow. DO NOT leave the cylinder exposed to direct sunlight either outside or in the vehicle.

 

Tip: For in-house use of Cryonite in manufacturing, food processing facilities, hospitals, etc., store cylinders locked in cool rooms. Have liquid co2 cylinders delivered by the co2 gas supplier.

Local and national laws may vary, but we advise that bottles be transported in a secured upright position with the valve and handle protected from contact with anything else in the vehicle.

Only use liquid co2 tanks equipped with a siphon or dip tube. The standard size of these tanks is 20 lbs (~10 kg) (Note: 20 lbs refers to the weight of the liquid in the bottle when full, not the weight of the tank). Your system can operate with any size tank, but if you want to use a 50 lb (~20 ks) or larger tank, we recommend using our industrial cart.

 

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