NORTHERN "AG" EXPOSURE

by Mark Miller
Rolette County Extension Agent

Published July  6, 2001

PREPARATION OF GRAIN BINS

It's that time of year for cleaning and preparing bins to receive  this year's crop. This is an important program for preventing insect infestations.

1. Clean outside around the bin, beneath perforated floors and inside ducts in addition to cleaning the bin. Sweep or vacuum grain dust and old grain from floors, walls and ceilings where hiding places exist for stored grain insects. If you can tell what has previously been in the bin, it is not clean. In bins where the perforated floor cannot be easily removed, chloropicrin grain fumigant can be applied to control insects in the sub-floor area.

Chloropicrin is a highly toxic chemical and as such, all label instructions and safety measures must be carefully adhered to.

Debris and grain spills outside the bin also encourage rodents and insects which can then move in throughopenings.

2. When possible, avoid filling bins with new grain where some old grain is already present. This creates an ideal situation for insects in the bran bug group (sawtoothed grain beetles, flour beetles and the like).

3. Roof leaks commonly lead to columns of spoiled grain. Check for these leaks by looking for light coming into the bin.Moisture coming into the bin through the seal between the bin and concrete will cause spoilage around the perimeter of the bin at the base.

Check the seal since sealants do deteriorate. Water will run away from the seal at the base of the bin wall if the concrete is sloped away from the bin. Also check the seals around the doors and hatches.

4. After cleaning and repairing, use a residual bin spray to treat the insect surfaces of the bins at least two weeks prior to filling.

Recommended bin sprays are methoxychlor 2 lb EC, Reldan 4 lb EC or Tempo, applied according to label directions.

5. If grain is to be held in storage for a year or more, it should be treated with a grain protectant such as malathion or Reldan. Be aware, however, that malathion will not control Indian meal moths, which commonly infest stored commodities in the state, and neither Reldan nor malathion will control lesser grain borers.

Note: The American Malting Barley Association has a policy that does not allow for the use of any residual insecticide on malting barley. This would include the products malathion, and Reldan. These insecticides are allowable for use as residual bin sprays in bins that will be filled with malting barley. According to AMBA policy, the only chemical allowable for use on malting barley is phosphine (aluminum phosphide) fumigant to control an existing infestation.

It is very important to note that in situations where grain drying is necessary, an insecticide protectant should be applied after the grain has gone through the drier. Commercial grain driers generate  enough heat to rapidly degrade insecticides applied to grain prior to the drying process.

6. In the fall, aerate to cool the crop and create a better storage environment in any bin larger than 2,000 to 3,000 bushel capacity. Determine if the aeration system in your bins will provide at least 1/10 cubic foot per minute (cfm) airflow for each bushel of crop being stored. Check the condition of the entire aeration system.

You'll also need at least one square foot of opening in the bin for  each 1000 cfm of airflow to allow the air to enter or exit from the bin.

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Updated August  7, 2001 Shelley Armstrong Webmaster