Aerosols and contact insecticides as alternatives to methyl bromide in flour mills, food production facilities, and food warehouses

Abstract

The fumigant methyl bromide (MB) is being phased out of production and usage to control stored-product insects in flour and rice mills, as well as feed and food production plants, in the United States and other developed countries throughout the world. A phase-out schedule has also been established for undeveloped counties under a delayed timeline compared to the one established for developed countries. Whole-plant alternatives to MB treatment, such as the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride and heat, can be used in place of MB, but they have some limitations as well, which will be briefly discussed in this review. Hence, residual surface treatments with contact insecticides and insect growth regulators and aerosol applications are receiving increased attention for incorporation into management programs that historically relied on MB fumigations. This review will focus on recent research with contact insecticides and aerosols for controlling stored-product insects in structures and how they can be viewed as options for control to alleviate concerns regarding the phase-out and reduced availability of MB for structural fumigations. A brief discussion of emerging pest species or groups, and how they can be controlled with surface treatments and aerosols, is also included in the review.