| The most important factor in preventing insect infestation in grain storage is to ensure that all grain handling equipment and storage facilities are clean and free from insects before harvest. Besides thorough cleaning of empty bins and harvesting equipment, the use of Protect-It™, the stored grain insecticide, is ideal for this purpose.
Stored grain insects are notorious for their ability to survive in extreme environments. Minimal food, low temperatures and low moisture are often not enough to stop infestations from persisting. In empty bins, insects are easily able to survive in cracks and crevices until the bin is filled with newly harvested grain. When applied to granaries, trucks and combines 2 weeks before harvest, Protect-It™ will ensure that insects from old grain residues do not contaminate the newly harvested grain.
Protect-It™ is very easy to apply. Simply starting the aeration fan and putting the required amount of Protect-It™ through the fan into the bin can treat bins equipped with aeration. Alternatively electric blowers or compressed air blowers are available. These blowers will easily disperse the Protect-It™ throughout a bin. Pointing the blower through a door or hatchway into the bin and releasing the Protect-It™ is all that is required to coat all the interior surfaces of the bin as well as enter all the cracks and crevices that could harbour insects. See application rates on label.
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For remote bins, Protect-It™ can be blown in using Hedley’s Air Application Kit and a portable compressed air tank. Protect-It™ can also be mixed with water and applied to the interior surfaces of a grain bin with spray equipment.
Contamination of new crop by infested residues is the leading cause of stored grain infestation. Protect-It™ is easy to apply and is very economical (one 5kg box can treat 10 empty 2000-bushel bins).
Simple and effective measures before harvest will help ensure that you see fewer infested deliveries coming to your elevator. Distributing copies of this Insect Alert to your growers will emphasise the importance having insect-free grain.
Also remember to advise your growers that it is essential to apply Protect-It™ to the new grain as it is augured into the bins at harvest time to prevent any bug infestations from developing during the storage period.
See the Protect-It label for application rates.
For more information about Protect-It®, please call Hedley Technologies Ltd.
Toll free: 1-888-476-4473
Website: www.hedleytech.com
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