Hygiene, fumigation, aeration and monitoring, are the keys to insect free, safe grain storage, they say. The SGRL recommends growers prepare early and monitor stored grain regularly for insect infestation and quality deterioration. David Rees, a post-harvest entomologist with the Laboratory, recommends growers first remove all possible sources of previous stored grain residues from the storage site. It is also important to avoid mixing old with new season's grain, unless precautions have been taken to completely disinfest the old season's grain. David advises farmers to inspect and monitor for insects in stored grain.
Insects can multiply at phenomenal rates if left unchecked.
Homemade traps are very useful for early detection of a potential infestation, both in grain and around storage premises. Phosphine fumigation soon after harvest, followed by cooling using aeration, and monitoring insect numbers using traps, is a sound integrated approach to managing insects in your grain, he says. With fumigation, phosphine is the only fumigant widely available for on-farm application, but the grains industry needs to improve the way phosphine is used. For farmers, this means safe use at the recommended dosage and exposure times in adequately sealed storage. Grain quality can be rapidly lost when stored under unfavourable conditions.