Stored Product Pests Control
Stored Product Pests are common in food production facilities, with most being beetles and moths. These insects damage stored commodities like rice, wheat, and grains by consuming the food, feeding on mold that forms on the products, or contaminating the goods.
Infestations of Stored Product Pests lead to raw material damage, food contamination, production losses, and health risks for end consumers. These pests are not limited to industrial production lines but can also be found damaging products in store warehouses, restaurants, and even in domestic settings when purchased supplies are affected. Fortunately, you can address these issues effectively by implementing proper Stored Product Pest control measures
Tips for Stored Product Pest Management
Quarantine & Disposal
❖ Industry: Before storing products in the warehouse, wrap the commodities in plastic film and quarantine any problematic stock in a separate area. Dispose of products infested with Stored Product Insects. Inform suppliers about the infestation for further inspection and seek advice from professional Pest Control Operators. ❖ Domestic: Storing food products in the refrigerator can kill adult Stored Product Insects and their immature stages within grains or rice. Avoid keeping stock for too long by practicing the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method when using stored food items.
Monitoring & Control
❖ Insect Light Trap (ILT): ILTs are effective for monitoring and controlling flying insects. They use UV light to attract flying pests like moths. Each station is equipped with adhesive cards, which trap insects as they approach to rest. Depending on the purpose of installation, ILTs can provide
valuable insights for clients and pest control operators regarding flying insect infestations in the area.
❖ Pheromone Trap: Mating pheromones or aggregation pheromones are used to attract pests to specific adhesive traps. Critical data about specific pests for a given area can be acquired from these traps in providing information to the clients and pest control operators.
Chemical Control – Misting and Fumigation
Misting is an effective control method for Stored Product Pests in industrial buildings, as it can immediately reduce pest populations. However, it only targets adult pests on the surface of stored products and is less effective against immature stages inside the commodities. Regular monitoring with pheromone traps and ILTs is essential to maintain control over Stored Product Insect populations. Fumigation is a way to target up to the eggs and larval stage inside the rice grain.