Stored Product Pests - General Control Information
Effective Control for the Stored product pest control is a 6-step process.
1. Prevention. This consists of inspecting all incoming items for any type of stored product pests, making sure that the building is in good physical condition to reduce entry, and that there is adequate ventilation.
2. Good sanitation. These practices consist of the timely removal of all spilled foodstuffs, the immediate removal and/or treatment of any infested product, and proper maintenance of surrounding area to reduce sources of pests and the attraction to pests.
3. Proper storage. This usually consists of having all boxes stored with ventilation spaces between them and deciding if that particular container will be used immediately or used at a later time, in which case either freezing or storage inside a tightly closing plastic container or bag is best. As boxes are put up, closely inspect for tiny holes from time to time as the insects can escape this way.
4. Stock rotation. The rotation of containers is such that the oldest containers are consumed first
5. Ventilation. This is important to reduce or keep the food moisture content low and reducing the possibility of insects getting a start inside some product. For instance, mites require at least a 12% food moisture content. Closely inspect containers you are returning to make certain they haven’t picked up any splashed or off-water from food preparation areas.
6. Control. Effective control is best achieved through visual inspection and consciousness of rotation of food stuffs and proper identification of the particular insect you are dealing with .
In processing plants, warehouses, and retail stores, the use of insect pheromone and/or baited monitoring devices is extremely useful for detecting infestations long before they would probably become evident by routine visual inspection. Their use allows for detection and control before the infestation becomes major, and usually before it spreads to un-infested food materials. Their use makes possible a more precise timing of and can greatly reduce the frequency of any drastic ULV applications and/or fumigations.
For grocery stores, it is important that the area under gondolas be open for inspection and cleaning; an after-hours inspection may be required if the bottom shelf must be removed for access. The damaged and returned merchandise area should be isolated and emptied on at least a weekly basis or such materials should be stored in tightly sealed metal garbage cans or plastic tubs.
In the home, good sanitation is essential and the key along with the immediate transfer and storage of products packaged in paper, cardboard, or plastic bags into tight sealing jars or Tupperware-type containers; spices are usually all right in their metal or glass containers. A vacuum cleaner or synergized pyrethrin aerosol such as PT Microcare can be used to remove and/or kill exposed adults. After all debris has been removed from pantry cracks and crevices, an appropriately labeled residual insecticide and growth regulator can be applied according to label directions if desired. If the infestation source is not found in the kitchen or pantry, then check the closets, dresser drawers, and other areas where food is consumed or stored. Areas where ornament decorations made form nuts, ornamental corn, or various grains and seeds can be a prime source for these pests. Other situations include rodent droppings where one would find spider beetles; bird nests may contain dermestid and spider beetles; dead insects in attics, wall/ceiling voids, light fixtures, and wasp nests, stored furs and woolens, as well as old rodent bait for dermestid beetles, dry pet food and old rodent bait which can support a wide variety of stored product pests; and especially wild bird seed for weevils and the Angoumois grain moth as well as the Indian Mealmoth. I suggest strongly the application of IG Regulator to the area for future control of the little buggers. Use 1/4 ounce per quart of water to lightly spray into closed areas against the walls of the cabinet or closed space. This material will last 3 - 4 months and should be applied for at least two to three applications (that's 9 months total).
Monitoring traps is not generally used in homes until after an infestation has been discovered and dealt with. However, these are very helpful to determine whether the insect is still present Pheremone lure traps can be used to monitor for these pests.
Stored product pests can be killed by placing them in a freezer at 00F for 4 days. Do not use a self-defrosting kind. This is a particularly useful control method for decorative items of plant origin such as Indian corn arrangements, jewelry made from plant seeds, and so forth. Refrigeration alone will retard pest development and will not kill. Heat can also be used to kill stored product pests by placing stored products such as cereals in a shallow tray in an oven at 150F for 20-30 minutes with the oven door propped open a few inches and also stirring the material every few minutes. |
