Farmers should be aware of their fumigation options when it comes to eradicating rusty grain beetles, says one researcher and a fumigation service provider.
The pesticide Phostoxin, federally registered by Degesch America Inc., is the oldest and most prominent fumigant available on the Prairies for treating grain that contains the beetles.
“It has the predominant market share, so it’s sort of the generic term,” said Noel White, research scientist at Agriculture Canada’s Winnipeg Cereal Research Centre.
But two other federally registered fumigant brands containing the active ingredient aluminum phosphide are available, said Peter Burgoyne of fumigation services, SGS Canada, Inc.
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Gastoxin is the trade name of a pesticide produced by Casa Bernardo Ltda. and can be bought from SGS Canada or through a licensed pest control operator. The chemical branded Fumitoxin, registered by Pestcon Systems Inc., is also available.
White and Burgoyne said because Phostoxin has been around for so long, the trade name has become synonymous with the product, even though several companies manufacture the same product.
While all three contain aluminum phosphide and must be applied by a licensed applicator, “there is some variation in the concentration strength and also in the format of production and delivery,” said Burgoyne. Aluminum phosphide is available as a solid material in tablets, pellets and sachets.
Rusty grain beetles can appear as a result of moisture entering a bin containing grain that’s been stored for a long time, but White said it depends on bin size and how hot the harvest is.
“If grain happens to go in the bin at 30 C, it’s pretty much a guarantee (the farmer’s) going to have a lot of rusties by November, and if it’s a really big bin and no aeration, it’s going to stay warm in the middle for two years.”
For more information on insecticides as they pertain to grain storage, log onto www.producer.com and type “grain storage” in the Go box.
