How to Prevent Stored Grain Pests

 

With harvest just around the corner and a lot of South Dakota farmers interested in storing grain this year there will be an increased need to make sure that insects don’t become a problem for that grain. There are many preventative measures that can be taken that greatly reduce the risk of stored grain insect issues. The first step to make sure a storage facility or grain bin doesn’t become infested is to have a sanitation program in place and the second step is routine scouting.

 

Stored grain is susceptible to insect feeding that can cause both direct and indirect damage. The direct damage occurs when insects feed directly on the kernel or seed, which reduces the germination, weight and nutritional value of the seeds. Insects cause indirect damage to stored grain by causing increases in the temperature of the grain, promoting mold growth or by simply being present in the grain as a contaminant when it is marketed. All of these conditions result in a downgrading of the grain which reduces the market value.

 

The best way to preserve the value of a crop is to prevent an insect infestation from occurring. This can be achieved during the late summer or fall by cleaning the bin thoroughly before a new crop is stored. If possible, new grain should never be stored on top of old grain as this will increase the risk of infestation. Once grain is stored, it should be scouted routinely to ensure that an infestation doesn’t occur. Below are recommendations to reduce the risk of infestation by stored grain insect pests.

 

 

The first step to prevent stored grain pests is to have a sanitation plan in place for each storage facility. It is estimated that sanitation accounts for approximately 80% of an effective stored grain insect pest prevention program. This is in part due to the fact that the purpose of sanitation is to remove any pests (insects or rodents) that may currently be present in a bin and also remove any potential sources of food or attractants for potential pests. While cleaning the bin, it should also be inspected to ensure that it is weatherproof and also that there aren’t any areas where pests could easily enter. The steps for sanitation of a bin are below.

 

After bin sanitation has occurred a pre-binning insecticide can be applied to the walls and floors of the bin 2-3 weeks prior to harvest. These insecticides provide a residual and can further reduce the risk of infestation. Pre-binning insecticide applications are most effective when air temperatures are above 60 °F due to increased insect activity. The outside walls and base of the bin may also be treated with an insecticide that clearly states it is for perimeter treatments. Table 1 contains a list of a few common pre-binning insecticides.