Smyrna times., 1928-09-05
CONTROL OF WEEyIL IN WHEAT
With Majority Of 1928 Crop Threshed
the Storage Problems Are Here

Inc majority OI Lie 1870 WHC1G
crop in this section Of the country
has been threshed, and many of those
farmers who have stored their grain
are experiencing trouble with the
weevil and other insects, according to
numerous inquiries which are being
received at the office of Kent County
Agent Russell E. Wilson in regard to
the most practical and effective meth
ods Oh control. Wheat does not need
to be in storage but a few weeks be-
fore the weevils begin their destruc
tive work, which often results in con
siderable damage to the crop as well
as a financial loss to the owner, ~
control practices should be followed
Just as soon as these insects are
found in the stored grain. Of the
several methods for controlling these
weevils, carbon bisulphide is the sim
plest, less expensive and the most ef-
fective control measure which the
grain growers can safely put into use.
Carbon bisulphide is a colorless liquid
which has a very strong and disagree
able odor and, at ordinary tempera-
tures, it vaporizes readily thereby
converting itself into gas which is
much heavier than air. The fumes
are deadly poisonous to all forms of
insect life, but they are not consider
ed harmful to people unless used in
excessive quantities in a closed room
or building. In using this material,
however, it is necessary to keep it
away from fire, as it is highly infam-
mable and will readily ignite when
exposed to an open flame. In treat
ing wheat for the control Of the Wee
vii it is recommended that five pounds
of this carbon bisulphide be used for
every thousand cubic feet of bin space
or for every one hundred bushels Of
grain. If the wheat to be treated is
in tight bin this liquid may be pour
ed in shallow pans which are set at
intervals of three or four feet over the
surface of the grain. On a warm day
when the temperature is around 10
| degrees F., this liquid will evaporate
very quickly and thoroughly pene-
trate to the bottom of the bin and kill
all the insects with which it comes in
| contact. If the bin is not tight and
there is a possibility of air currents
passing through it is advisable to ap-
ply the carbon bisulphide by means Of
a sprinkling can and then quickly fol
low this operation by covering the
wheat with blankets or canvas. This
will prevent the fumes from escaping
and will also aid in forcing the gas
down into the wheat Since this ma
terial il poisonous, it is we'll to start
the treatment in the far side Of the
4 bin and then work rapidly toward the
door or opening in order to not
\ breathe any more Of the fumes than
is necessary. After being treated
the wheat should be allowed to re-
main covered, or the bin kept tightly
sealed, for forty-eight hours if the
\ grain Is not to be used for seed pur-
poses. and only thirty-six hours in
case it is to be used for seed. The
grain will not be injured for food pur-
poses if left covered for a period Of
forty-eight hours, neither will it be
very severely damaged for seeding if
left covered for only thirty-six hours.
In case the treated gain is to be sown,
however, it is well to have a germi-
nation test made Of the seed, and then
increase the rate of seeding according
to the percentage Of termination.
This test will be made free Of charge
BY the State Board Of Agriculture in
its seed laboratory in Dover. Follow
ing this treatment the covers should
he removed or the hin opened to al
low the grain to become thoroughly
ventilated BY a free circulation Of
fresh air. In order to prevent a pos
sibly re-infestation Of weevils, how
ever, it is advisable to keep the wheat
covered after it has been aired for a
few days. 1t is also good practice
to examine the grain from time to
time throughout the period that it is
being kept in storage, as it may be
necessary to repeat this treatment in
the event these insects appear again.