Farmers should thoroughly clean storage bins before harvest, then monitor grain once it is in the bins, to reduce potential insect problems.
“Several insects cause problems in stored grain,” said Jim Broatch, insect pest management specialist with Alberta Agriculture. “Fungus feeding types of insects are usually the most common problem. These insects thrive in grain that was in tough condition during storage or in stored grain hotspots that develop within the bin. Starting out with clean bins can be the single most effective factor in controlling infestations.”
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Before adding new grain, bins need to be swept or vacuumed. Any debris should be buried or burned.
Treating bins with insecticides before binning is an important step. Malathion can be used to treat empty bins for cereal crops, but it should not be used for canola and pulses. End users of canola and pulse crops are sensitive to malathion residue.
There are no restrictions on diatomaceous earth for treating empty grain bins.
Attention should be given to the area around storage bins. Grass and other vegetation should be knocked down and sprayed to eliminate insect habitat. Areas where grain was piled in the past, especially if there is still some grain on the ground, should be cleaned up and all of the grain and ground trash buried.
“The last two years have been unusual,” Broatch said.
“In 2005, the harvest was tough with a lot of grain being stored that wasn’t monitored well. This caused a buildup of fungus feeders. In 2006, much of the harvested grain came off hot. This presented conditions that were particularly suited to rusty grain beetles and red flour beetles.”
