Standard operating procedures on many hog farms is to power wash and disinfect a barn before a new group of pigs arrives as part of the biosecurity program, but what can be done to keep the barn clean when pigs are in it?

“It’s common practice to disinfect the barn between pig groups and rely on vaccines to protect against disease threats,” Morgan Hart, monogastric specialist at Protekta, said. “However, there’s more we can do to protect pigs once they are in the barn. Germicide powder is a great way to keep barns disinfected and pigs healthy through the time they enter the barn until they leave it.”

Germicide powder kills bacteria, viruses, fungi and, in some instances, parasites and fly larvae by creating unfavorable growing conditions, an announcement from Protekta said. The combination of dry ingredients absorbs water, neutralizes ammonia and lowers pH to inhibit the production of pathogens.

Protekta listed several considerations for using a dry germicide powder on a swine operation:

“Typical drying agents simply reduce moisture and odor, but germicide powder is specially formulated with a wide spectrum of ingredients at a certain pH level,” Hart said. “The pH level of those ingredients creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria and viruses, reducing the chance for disease spreading through the herd.”

“Germicide powder is proven to kill pathogens yet is gentle enough to be used in the presence of animals,” Hart said. “The all-natural formulation doesn’t harm the eyes, lungs or skin of animals, so it can be used daily to weekly as needed.”

Germicide powder can be applied within a matter of minutes, yet it can eliminate pathogen loads for up to a full week. It offers a low-stress, low-labor means of disinfection that doesn’t require handling, moving or transporting pigs.

“A drying agent like hydrated lime breaks down the protective layer of a pig’s skin, known as the sebum layer,” Hart said. “If a pig’s skin becomes dry and cracked, it creates another entry point for viruses and bacteria that may be present on the farm. Germicide powder absorbs moisture and odor without negatively impacting the pig’s skin condition.”

Germicide powder can also provide a safer surface for farm employees by eliminating wetness without becoming slippery like limestone.

Germicide powder can also be used in: