Stored-Grain Pest Management

Abstract

The predominant pests in stored grain are insects. Molds can also contaminate cereal grain when grain moisture content exceeds the safe storage limit. Storage fungi grow in hot spots developing in damp patches of grain stored in bins. The control of insect pests can be achieved by different approaches: (i) chemical protectants; (ii) gaseous fumigants; and (iii) physical treatments such as heat, microwave energy, irradiation, and hermetic storage under controlled atmospheres. Some reduction of mycotoxin content in cereal grain can be obtained either through mechanical processes such as grain peeling, steaming, optical sorting, and abrasion machining or by chemical treatment with ammonia, ozone, or sulfur dioxide.