Stored Grain Management Options
Notice -- Information on this page has not be reviewed recently and thus may not be up-to-date. Check with suppliers and current insecticide labels before making any insecticide applications. Structural sprays are designed for use four to six weeks before the grain enters storage. After cleaning the structure thoroughly, walls, roof, and floor should be sprayed according to label instructions.| Empty Bin Treatments | Comments |
| Beta-Cyfluthrin (Tempo SC Ultra) | Apply to empty bin surfaces only, not to grain. May not provide adequate control of weevils. |
| cyfluthrin and chlorpyrifos-methyl (Storcide) | Applications are to be made from outside of the bin using high pressure hand-held or automated spray equipment. Cyfluthrin, a component in Storcide does not have CODEX MRLs. Please check with your grain buyers before using. |
| chlorpyrifos-methyl and deltamethrin (Storcide II) | Bin applications should only be applied from outside the bin. Only downward spray is permitted. All openings, except for the point of application must be closed during applications. This product may only be applied to empty grain bins using automated spray equipment. Do not allow others to enter until sprays have dried. |
| deltamethrin (SUSPEND SC) | Apply finished spray to equipment, wall and floor surfaces of grain bins and warehouses prior to storing or handling grain. Do not allow run-off to occur. Application should be made only after equipment bins and buildings have been thoroughly cleaned. |
| Malathion | May not provide control of Indianmeal moth and lesser grain borer. NOTE: Many products now carry the statement "Do not apply directly to grain." Some products may not be labeled for treating grain storage facilities. Products not labeled for application to stored grain facilities should not be used as empty bin sprays. |
| (S)-Methoprene (DIACON II and DIACON-D) | Protects stored grains from damaging insects by interfering with the normal process of insect development. Unlike traditional pesticides, Methoprene is not an adulticide, but its residual activity prevents the development of larvae into adults. |
| Silicon dioxide, diatomaceous earth (Dryacide, Insecto, Protect-It and possibly others.) | Select a product specifically labeled for treating grain storage facilities and follow label directions for proper application |
| Chlorpyrifos-methyl (Reldan 4E) | NOTE: DISTRIBUTION OF RELDAN WAS STOPPED ON 12/31/05. TREATED GRAIN WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THROUGH GRAIN CHANNELS UNTIL 2009-2010 _ Do not use in bins that will be used to store corn or soybeans. May not provide control of lesser grain borer. Newer labels require treatment from outside the bin. |
| Empty Bin Fumigants | Comments |
| Chloropicrin (Chlor-O-Pic ) | Use only in empty bins for treating aeration ducts under false floors. Do not use if temperature is less than 60 degrees. Proper sealing of lower openings for 24 hours is essential. Placards must be posted during treatment and special safety equipment is required. |
| Aluminum phosphide (Fumiphos, Fumitoxin, Phosfume, Phostoxin, Weevil-cide and others) | Fumigation should only be done by specially trained applicators. |
| Protectants | Grains that can be treated. | Comments |
| cyfluthrin and chlorpyrifos-methyl (Storcide) | wheat, barley, oats, rice and sorghum | Cyfluthrin, a component in Storcide does not have CODEX MRLs. Please check with your grain handler before exporting. |
| chlorpyrifos-methyl and deltamethrin (Storcide II) | Labeled crops include wheat, barley, oats, sorghum and rice. | Storcide II protects against a broad spectrum of insect pests, including the lesser grain borer. In addition, the active ingredients in Storcide II have CODEX MRL (maximum residue limits) tolerances, so labeled crops protected with Storcide II may be shipped to international markets. |
| Malathion | Barley, corn, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, and wheat | Dry grain below 13% and cool before application. NOTE: The "stored grain" labels for Liquid formulations of malathion are being withdrawn. Current stocks, with the correct label may be used until the stock is exhausted. Apparently some dust formulations still available. Products not labeled for application to stored grain should not be used to treat grain being placed into storage. May not control Indianmeal moth and lesser grain borer. |
| Pirimiphos-methyl (Actellic 5E) | Corn (including pop corn) and grain sorghum | Do not apply before high temperature drying. No food or feeding restrictions. Lesser grain borer is not listed as a target pest on the label. |
| (S)-Methoprene (DIACON II and DIACON-D) | barley, corn, grain sorghum, oats, peanuts, rice and wheat | When used according to the label directions it prevents regeneration of the following insects: almond moth, Indianmeal moth, cigarette beetle, lesser grain borer, sawtooth grain beetle, merchant grain beetle, red flour beetle, and confused flour beetle. Dilute DIACON II with water or FDA approved food grade oils* or soybean oil and apply to the moving grain stream as a coarse spray. Apply DIACON II grain protectant only to grain of known treatment history, apply no more than once per crop. Use diluted spray solution within 48 hours of mixing. Agitate before each use. |
| Silicon dioxide, diatomaceous earth (Dryacide, Insecto, Perma-Guard, Protect-It and possibly others.) | All | Select a product specifically labeled for treating stored grain and follow label directions for proper application. Applications can lower test weight and reduce the flowability of grain if applied to entire grain mass, so it is often applied to just the bottom and top layers of the grain. |
| Chlorpyrifos-methyl ( Reldan 4E) | Barley, oats, rice, sorghum, and wheat | NOTE: DISTRIBUTION OF RELDAN WAS STOPPED ON 12/31/05. TREATED GRAIN WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THROUGH GRAIN CHANNELS UNTIL 2009-2010 Do not apply to hot grain. Can protect for 12 months if is moisture is less than 14%. Do not apply to corn or soybeans. May not provide control of lesser grain borer. |
| Top-dress Treatments | Grains that can be treated. | Comments |
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Dipel Dust
Several different products are labeled including Dipel ES, ES CPI, DF, or Pro DF; Xentari and Biobit HP. However, many products with similar or equivalent active ingredients do not have stored grain treatment listed on the label, so be certain the product purchased is labeled for the intended use. |
All grains including soybeans. | Use only products labeled for stored grain. Mix into the top 4 inches of grain surface. Will control only larva of moths such as the Indianmeal moth and Angoumois grain moth. Slow to kill existing infestations. Some Indianmeal moth populations may now be resistant to Dipel. |
| Malathion | Barley, corn, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, and wheat. | NOTE: The "stored grain" labels for Liquid formulations of malathion are being withdrawn. Current stocks, with the correct label may be used until the stock is exhausted. Apparently some dust formulations still available. Products not labeled for application to stored grain should not be used as top-dress treatments. May not control Indianmeal moth and lesser grain borers in some areas. |
| Pirimiphos-methyl (Actellic 5E) | Corn (including popcorn) and grain sorghum. | Do not use as a top-dress treatment on grain where Atellic was used as a protectant. |
| (S)-Methoprene (DIACON II and DIACON-D) | barley, corn, grain sorghum, oats, peanuts, rice and wheat | Diacon can be applied as a top-dressing to stored products that have already been placed into bins or storage areas. Diacon applied to the surface of the grain, should disrupt the development of Indianmeal moth larvae and other immature insects feeding on the surface of the grain mass. |
| Silicon dioxide, diatomaceous earth (Protect-It and possibly others.) | All | Some products carry instructions on use as top dressing treatments either alone or in combination with treatment of rest of the grain mass. |
| Chlorpyrifos-methyl (Reldan 4E) | Barley, oats, rice, sorghum, and wheat. | NOTE: DISTRIBUTION OF RELDAN WAS STOPPED ON 12/31/05. TREATED GRAIN WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THROUGH GRAIN CHANNELS UNTIL 2009-2010 Do not use as a topdress treatment on grain where Reldan was used as a protectant. |
| Fumigants | Comments |
| Aluminum phosphide (Fumiphos, Fumitoxin, Phosfume, Phostoxin, Weevil-cide and others) | Once grain is infested treatment will require fumigation which should only be done by specially trained applicators. |
| sulfuryl fluoride (ProFume) |