Harvest Preview How to maintain a clean,
pest-free grain store • Prevention is always better than cure • Ensure problems are resolved quickly • Seek out expert advice if in any doubt
G
rowers are reminded to take the right steps ahead of harvest to pre-
vent pests from entering grain stores and silos – and ensure an infestation can be detected ear- ly should one occur. “A deep cleaning strategy should feature high on the radar of all silo managers,” says Paul Casson, technical field manager with Rentokil Specialist Hygiene. “It is a powerful weapon in pre- venting pest infestations, and a must immediately after any con- tamination issue.”
Strict legislation is in place to ensure that farmers and farm workers follow best-practice food safety regulations. This is impor- tant given that grain stores ulti- mately contain food products – which may be destined for human
Risks from an infection include
1. A major loss of revenue as a result of loss of product weight
2. Downgraded grain due to a reduction in its nutritional value
3. Blockages or damage to machinery due to webbing produced by larvae
4. Problems with damp, mould and even grain germination
5. The rejection of grain due to non-compliance or contamination
consumption. Deep cleaning also plays an important role in ensuring a silo is operational all year round. Sal- monella, Hantavirus and Weil’s disease are just three examples of the diseases they could bring into the silo, says Mr Casson. “Rats and mice can contami- nate silos with urine, faeces and hair – as well as cause substantial damage through gnawing. This can lead to an increased risk of fire to any facility if their pres- ence is undetected as they may gnaw through or damage electri- cal cables.
Altering the habitat surround- ing the silo to make it less attrac- tive to rodents is a key preventa- tive step. Even if the silo itself is well-sealed, the surrounding buildings can play their part in
attracting rodents if they are not sufficiently maintained. Here are some top tips to help you implement a proactive pest control strategy:
1. Seal any gaps
Mice are capable of squeezing through gaps the size of a biro to enter premises, so seal holes in the exterior of the silo or sur- rounding buildings with wire wool, caulk, metal kick plates or cement. Rats are also known to enter buildings through dam- aged drains, so it’s important to make sure that any entry points or vents are well maintained and checked regularly.
2. Remove any clutter and food sources
Storage containers or clutter in “
Deep cleaning is a powerful weapon in preventing pest infestations
structures around the silo pro- vides rodents with a place to hide, so it’s worth moving these away from walls if possible. Make sure food and waste con- tainers are also adequately sealed. Mice can take food from up to 70 different sources in 24 hours, so placing bait for them can prove challenging.
3. Quick detection Non-toxic monitoring blocks are another way to detect rodent ac- tivity as early as possible, while ensuring toxic substances aren’t deployed unnecessarily onsite. Some of these blocks contain fluorescent materials which re- flect UV light, highlighting ro- dents’ droppings and making it easier to identify their presence.
Insect infestations
Grain weevils and beetles can be responsible for the spoilage of in- gredients – especially those devel- oping from egg to adult, which can consume large amounts of food. Farmers and food manufactur- ers storing grain or grain-based products in bulk can suffer the unwelcome consequences of these infestations.
The key is to identify and treat an infestation at the earli- est stage. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to iden- tify and manage SPI infestations: • Use cone traps, probe traps and floor traps: Place these around the building, to give a good early warning sign of any activity.
Grain weevils can quickly ruin a stored cereal crop 40 ANGLIA FARMER • JUNE 2019
• Look for bore holes and dust tracks: Emerging adult weevils and grain borers will leave visi- ble exit holes in the grains. You may be able to spot insect tracks in grain dust. • Phosphine gas treatment: The most effective way of controlling an infestation is to fumigate the product with phosphine gas that will not taint the product. • Consult the experts: Phos- phine gas is heavily regulated, so if you’re dealing with an infes- tation, it is important you know who to contact. For any external contractor, part of their role is to be proficient in the latest legislation changes in their area of expertise, says Mr Casson. “If in any doubt as to what substances you can and can’t use, or how to use them, then it’s always best to check with the experts.”
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