GRAIN ELEVATOR IPM

Grain insects are difficult to find by conventional methods and many times infested grain enters the elevator undetected. With infested grain in silos and infested residues in or under conveyors, equipment and many other locations, there are many opportunities for insects to access grain that would otherwise remain free from infestation.

Protect-It® stored grain insecticide can help reduce insect problems in the elevator. Protect-It® can be used by elevator personnel (no licensing necessary) as both a structural and stored grain insecticide.

Structural Application

Priority should be given to treating empty silos and areas in the elevator, which can harbor residual populations of insects. As the silos become empty use the aeration fan or compressed blower to apply Protect-It® (dry) to the entire bin at 0.6lbs/1000 ft²). It is best to wait several days for Protect-It® to eradicate all the insects. There is no need to enter the silo and application will take less than 2 minutes. For a cylindrical silo the amount Protect-It® required is:

0.0038 x silo radius (ft) x height (ft)=lbs Protect-It® .

Protect-It® is also ideal for areas in the elevator which can harbor insects. Using a small nozzle duster fill cracks, crevices and smaller voids with Protect-It® to avoid reoccurring infestation. For general application to surfaces after cleaning, use a dust blower (e.g., Hedley’s compressed air applicator) to apply Protect-It® at a rate of 0.6lbs/1000 ft² ).

Stored Grain (silos and metal bins)

OPTION A (for long-term protection from weevils, flour beetles, grain beetles and Indian meal moth)
Treat the entire grain mass at the following rates:

After grain treatment blow or sprinkle Protect-It® over the surface of the grain at the rate of 20lbs/1000 ft2. To calculate the surface treatment amount, square the radius of the bin and multiply by 3.14. Using a bin with a 10-foot radius:

Square feet = (10)2 x 3.14 = 314


Take square footage, divide by 1000 and multiply by the rate of 20 lbs/1000 ft²:

314/1000 x 20 = 6.28 lbs

For a peaked pile, add 30% to this total:

6.28 + 30% = 8.16 lbs required .

OPTION B (for short to medium term protection from weevils, flour beetles, grain beetles and Indian meal moth)

Preliminary research has shown that more than 90% of insects in a concrete silo tend to inhabit the bottom portion of the grain mass. Before filling the silo, blow or sprinkle in one 15 lb case of Protect-It® so that it covers the bottom of the silo (cone). As the silo is filled the force of the falling grain will disperse Protect-It® throughout the bottom several feet of the grain mass.

After the silo has been filled blow or sprinkle Protect-It® over the surface at the rate of 20lbs/1000 ft².

For silos equipped with aeration, use the fan to blow some Protect-It® into the aeration system to prevent insect entry into the grain mass.

Stored Grain (metal bins)

OPTION C (for short to medium term protection from weevils, flour beetles, grain beetles)

At the rates indicated below, treat only the top 3 feet of the grain in the bin.

After treating the top 3 feet, blow Protect-It® over the surface of the grain mass at the rate of 3 lbs/1000 ft². For taller bins (18 feet or higher), treat the bottom 3-feet as well. As an alternative to bottom layer treatment blow some Protect-It® into the aeration system to prevent insect entry into the grain mass.

To calculate the number of bushels in a 3-foot layer, square the radius of the bin and multiply by 7.57.

For example, for a bin with a 10 foot radius (radius is ½ bin diameter):

Bushels = (10)2 x 7.57 = 100 x 7.57 = 757

To treat one 3-foot layer of wheat you need:

757 bushels/1000 x 24.0 = 18.17 lbs required

Flat Storage

For flat storage, treat the empty storage before filling at the rate of 0.6 lbs/1000 ft². After filling blow Protect-It® over the surface of the grain mass at the rate of 20 lbs/1000 ft². To calculate surface area, take the floor area and add 30% for grain in a peaked pile.