Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-09-20
ReeViI In Grain.


The term "weevil in grain" as ordinarily used
refers to any insects that may be found injurins
grain, usually as stored product, strictly speak
ing, however the term 'weevil" should bt
applied only to representatives Of group ot
beetles which are peculiar in that the anterior
portion OF the head is prolonged into beak OF
snout of greater or less length, at the end OF
which are situated the mandibles or jaws The
chestnut weevil, fairly common form here. is a
good example Of the insects Of this group. The
The number of kinds of true weevils which infest
grain is very small in comparison with the mum.
Der of kinds OF other insects which are known
TO injure it, there being but two or three true
grain weevils while about forty other species OF
other insects are known to eat stored grain.
To the average man it makes but little differ.
ence what kinds of insects are at work on his
grain-the main points are to determine that
something is injuring it and then to be able to
destroy the pest; such being the case. no life
histories or descriptions of the various insects
which are injurious to stored grain will be given
in this article
DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF "wEEvIL'
Probably the most common practice here for
detecting the presence Of insect, in stored grain
is to force the hand deeply as possible into the
mass to see is warmer there than at the surface
If found to be notably warmer at depth of
several inches it is usually thought, and ordi-
narily with some reason, to be infested. This
however, is not an nialible sign for il the grain
was somewhat damp at the time it was stored
heating may follow without the presence Of
insects, but the presence Of insects in large num-
bers feeding upon grain in bulk causes, in some
unexplained manner very perceptible rise in
temperature in the mass. When such a condi-
ton is found and small moths are seen crawling
or flying about over the surface, or adult insects
or larvae are found in the grain, the product
should receive treatment at once.
TREATMENT OF INFESTED GRAIN.
By far the best insecticide for insects fnfestng
stored grain is bisulphide of carbon. This is a
colorless liquid resembling water but with an
offensive odor. 1t is about one-fourth heavier
than water, pint weighing about one and one
fourth pounds. It is very volatile and rapidly
when exposed to the air. The vapor
which it gives off in evaporating Is much heavier
than air, hence it rapidly settles and will force
its way through the mass of grain being treated
and later through the floor OF the building to
the ground. This should be borne in mind when
using II 81 tudt II 6AdAu uh AMu hvvAo "a a
building is to be treated at one time, that on
the lower floor should receive attention first
Two other points that must always be kept in
mind when this material is being used on % that
it is as fatal to all the higher animals sncluding
man, as to insect life, and (2) that the vapor is
highly inhamable. Such being the case, one
should never inhale any more Of the vapOr than 1
is necessary in doing the work and should /
never allow any fire of any kind, as for example |
4 lighted cigar or pipe, or lantern within the
building during the process of Immigration. At
he end of "A to So hours the bui ding nay be