By Adam J. Varenhorst
Throughout the year, it is possible to find an infestation of insects in stored grain. The general rule of thumb is the longer grain is stored, the greater the chance of an infestation occurring. As mentioned in a previous article, there are many important steps to be taken to reduce the likelihood of infestation. Under most storage circumstances it is not necessary to treat grain with a protectant insecticide prior to binning (See Table 2 for information on protectant insecticides). This is true for grain that will be removed from storage by May or June of the following spring, or that will be used on-site as livestock feed within one year of harvest. A protectant insecticide should be applied to grain that is expected to be stored for more than one year. If a protectant insecticide application is necessary, it should only occur after the grain has reached the optimal storage moisture. These insecticides can be applied at the auger while the bin is being filled, or as a surface treatment that is referred to as either top-dressing or capping-off.
Stored grain with a temperature above 55-60°F should be inspected each week, and every two weeks when the temperature is below 55°F. When inspecting stored grain, it is important to remember the potential hazards of grain that is in storage. If an insect infestation is detected in stored grain the grain can either be moved and have a protectant insecticide applied, fed to livestock as-is, be sold at a reduced market value, or be fumigated (Table 1). Due to the hazardous nature of fumigant insecticides we strongly recommend that the application of these is done by a hired professional. Many of these products are activated by moisture, including the moisture present in air. That means the second the seal is removed or the package is opened the product is active. The application of fumigants should be done with a forced air or oxygen provided respirator system to prevent any negative health impacts including death. Always read and follow the label directions when using any pesticide product.
The Seven Components to a Stored Grain Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
Step 1: Structural and Maintenance Components: keep bins clean and repaired.
All season:
- Keep a 10 ft. perimeter around the bin free of vegetation and trash.
- Clean up grain spills outside of the bin.
Pre-binning:
- Bins built on moisture-proof base
- Confirm that bin facilities are weather tight and rodent proof.
- Screen ventilation openings to prevent entry of rodents and birds.
- *Do not mix new and old grain; remove all old grain from bin or fumigate old grain.
- *Clean the bin wall, ceiling, ledges, floors, and sills prior to filling with new grain.
- *Clean combine, wagons, grain carts, trailers, and prior to handling new grain.
- Dispose of any debris removed from bins or machinery as insects may infest it.
- Examine area to determine if rodent bait stations are necessary.
Post-binning:
- Seal any holes, and caulk around any doors.
- Do not seal roof aeration exhaust of inlet vents except during fumigation.
Step 2: Residual insecticide sprays (Table 2).
Pre-binning:
- Spray the wall surfaces, ledges, floors, and sills with a residual insecticide.
- Spray outside walls and outside base.
- For long-term storage (> 1 year) consider fumigating the area beneath the slotted floor. (Table 2 for information regarding insecticides)
Step 3: Condition grain: store clean, dry grain.
Pre-binning:
- For long term storage corn moisture should be 15% or less.
- Use a grain cleaner to remove cracked kernels and other debris.
Step 4) Proper aeration.
Post-binning:
- Run bin fan and stirator to ensure uniform temperatures and prevent moisture buildups. This will reduce mold growth.
Step 5: Use insecticide protectants (Table 2).
- Treat grain as it is moved into storage.
Step 6: Regularly inspect grain.
Post-binning:
- Monitor the grain regularly. For grain above 55-60°F inspect weekly. For grain below 55°F inspect every two weeks.
- Use a grain probe to take samples in a pattern from the surface, and also from the base of the grain mass.
- Take samples from the center to the areas near the wall, with samples being no further than 20 feet apart.
- “Hot spots” felt on the grain surface or unusual odors are indicators of insect activity, and should be examined.
- During the winter insects will move to the center of the bin, so sampling at that location is important.
Step 7: Treating detected infestations when necessary.
Post-binning:
- If an insect infestation is detected:
- Move the grain and retreat as in Step 5. It is possible to kill some of the insects if the grain is moved during cold weather.
- Feed the grain to livestock.
- Sell at a reduced price
- Fumigate (Table 1)
*These precautionary maintenance steps should be taken two weeks prior to binning.
Bin Sampling Safety Protocol
There are many potential hazards associated with sampling inside of a grain bin. For instance, suffocation can occur in grain bins due to bridged grain. Bridged grain is occurs when grain mats together and forms a false floor. When the false floor is broken during sampling procedures cave-ins can occur. Where possible:
- Always have another person with a cell-phone outside the bin in case there is a problem.
- Wear a harness that is attached to a properly secured rope when entering a grain bin.
- Use a pole to break up crusted grain from a distance.
- If the grain begins to flow stay near the outer wall of the bin and continue walking and get to the bin ladder as quickly as possible.
Table 1. Fumigant insecticides1
| Active Ingredient | Insecticide* | Re-entry Interval (REI) | Comments |
| Aluminum phosphide | Detia® Fumex
Fumitoxin®
Gastoxin®
Phostoxin®
Weevil-cide® | Corn must be aerated after fumigation. Do not enter bin if phosphine or hydrogen phosphide gas levels are above 0.3 ppm2unless protected by approved respirator. | Do not fumigate if temperature is below 40°F. Follow the minimum exposure period guide on the label. Fumigated areas must be placarded as according to each product’s label. Some products require grain to be aerated for 48 hours prior to offering to end consumer. |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | Carbon dioxide | When CO2 levels are below 5%. | Works best with grain bins designed for “closed-loop fumigation”. Requires specialized application equipment. Fumigation with CO2 takes 10 or more days. Self-contained breathing apparatus must be worn; respirators are not effective against CO2. |
| Magnesium phosphide | Magtoxin® | Corn must be aerated after fumigation. Do not enter bin if phosphine gas level is above 0.3 ppm unless protected by approved respirator. | Do not fumigate if temperature is below 40°F. Follow the minimum exposure period guide on the label. Fumigated areas must be placarded as according to each product’s label. |
| Methyl bromide | Meth-O-Gas 100 | Corn must be aerated after fumigation. Do not enter the bin if methyl bromide levels are above 5 ppm unless protected by a full-face supplied-air respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus. | Do not fumigate if temperature is below 40°F. Fumigated areas must be placarded as according to each product’s label. |
1All fumigant insecticides are restricted use products and cannot be purchased or applied without proper certification and permit or licensing. Follow the all label instructions.
2Parts per million (PPM).
*This list is not meant to be comprehensive. Mention of a trade name neither constitutes endorsement of the products mentioned nor criticism of similar ones not used or mentioned.
Table 2. Pre-binning residual and protectant insecticides.1
| Active Ingredient | Insecticide* | Re-entry Interval (REI) | Comments |
| Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki | DiPel® DF
Biobit® HP | 4 hours | Protectant insecticide to be applied as a top-dressing to the top 4 inches of stored corn.Will not control weevils or other beetles. Effective against Indian meal moth larvae. Labeled for organic production. |
| Beta-cyfluthrin | Tempo® SC Ultra | When spray has dried. | Do not allow run-off to occur. Pre-binning residual spray only. |
| Deltamethrin | Suspend® SC
Centynal® | When spray has dried. | Suspend: Do not allow run-off to occur. Pre-binning residual spray only.
Centynal: Do not reapply within 21 days. May be applied as a protectant while grain is being loaded into the bin. Can be used as a pre-binning residual spray. |
Dichlorvos resin strips
(DDVP) | Nuvan®
Prostrips® | N/A | Treatment normally lasts 4 months. One 16 gram strip treats 100-200 cubic feet. Place strips in the headspace of the bin. Wear gloves when applying strips. |
| pirimiphos-methyl | Actellic® 5E | When spray has dried. | May be applied while grain is being loaded into bin or as a top-dressing, cannot be used for both. Do not make more than one application per crop. |
| Pyrethrin | Pyronyl® | 12 hours | Do not reapply within 30 days. May be applied as a protectant while grain is being loaded into the bin. Can be used as a pre-binning residual spray. |
| (S)-methoprene | Diacon® IGR
Diacon®-D IGR | 30 minutes | Apply to grain as it is being loaded into bin, or apply as a top-dressing, but do not flood area. May be used with aeration. |
| Silicon dioxide (diatomaceous earth) | Dryacide Insecto | Once dusts settle | Can be applied to grain when being loaded into the bin. Can also be applied as a pre-binning residual insecticide. Labeled for organic production. Over application of products may reduce grade of grain. |
| Malathion | Malathion grain
proetector dust
Malathion 5EC | 12 hours | Malathion dust: apply to grain prior to loading bin. Do not apply to grain within 7 days of selling.
Malathion 5EC: Pre-binning residual spray only, do not spray directly onto grain. |
1Follow the label instructions for all pesticides. Always wear proper personal protective equipment.
*This list is not meant to be comprehensive. Mention of a trade name neither constitutes endorsement of the products mentioned nor criticism of similar ones not used or mentioned.
Bin Aeration
Stored grain insect pest development begins to slow when grain temperatures drop to around 60°F, and essentially stop when the temperature drops below 55°F. Because of this it is important to lower grain temperatures and reduce the risks of stored grain pests. Stored grain can be cooled once the outdoor temperatures begin to drop in the fall. For bins that are equipped with fans, run the fan during these cooler temperature periods to cool the grain. In addition to reducing potential insect issues, proper aeration of the grain will help maintain uniform temperatures throughout the bin. This will eliminate “hot pockets” that are favored by insects and mold. To ensure optimal airflow level off the grain once the bin has been filled. When the grain is not level, areas with peaks can provide optimal conditions for stored grain insect outbreaks.
Common Stored Grain Insect Pests of Corn
There are several species of insects that feed on stored grain. Both the immature (larval) and adult stages of stored grain beetles are capable of causing damage to grain, while only the larval stage of the stored grain moths cause damage. These insect pests can be grouped based on whether they are internal feeders or external feeders. Internal feeders feed within the kernels while external feeders will consume grain dusts, cracked kernels, and other grain debris. Below are the common internal and external stored grain pests. In addition to these, other species including the foreign grain beetle and hairy fungus beetle may be observed in a bin. These beetles are feeding on the molds or fungi growing on the grain.
Internal Feeders
Of the internal feeders, the weevils (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3) are generally given the most attention because they are among the most destructive pests of stored grain. The larvae of grain weevils develop within the kernels, and when infested grain is left undisturbed for long periods of time can cause nearly complete destruction. Adult weevils are easily distinguished from other beetles by their elongated snouts.
Click here to see more...