How can you treat a grain mite? - briefly
Eliminate the infestation by discarding contaminated grain, thoroughly cleaning storage containers, and applying a registered grain‑mite pesticide or low‑temperature treatment. Prevent recurrence by maintaining low humidity, sealing containers, and regularly inspecting stock.
How can you treat a grain mite? - in detail
Grain mites thrive in stored cereals when moisture exceeds 12 % and temperature remains between 20 °C and 30 °C. Infestations reduce grain quality, cause weight loss, and generate allergens. Effective control requires a combination of preventive, chemical, and non‑chemical actions.
Preventive actions focus on environment. Maintain storage humidity below 12 % by using dehumidifiers or silica gel. Keep temperature under 15 °C whenever possible. Clean storage containers thoroughly, removing residual dust and debris that serve as mite habitat. Seal containers with airtight lids or plastic films to limit external entry.
Chemical options include registered acaricides. Common products contain pyrethroids (e.g., permethrin) or organophosphates (e.g., chlorpyrifos). Apply according to label rates, typically 0.5–1 g per kilogram of grain, ensuring uniform distribution. Observe pre‑harvest interval and maximum residue limits to protect consumer safety. Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance development.
Non‑chemical measures complement chemicals and reduce reliance on them.
- Temperature treatment: Heat grain to 55 °C for at least 30 minutes or cool to –20 °C for 24 hours; both temperatures achieve >99 % mortality.
- Low‑humidity storage: Reduce moisture to ≤10 % and maintain relative humidity below 60 %; mites cannot reproduce under these conditions.
- Desiccant powders: Apply food‑grade diatomaceous earth at 1–2 % of grain weight; particles abrade mite exoskeletons, leading to dehydration.
- Biological control: Introduce predatory mites such as « Amblyseius swirskii » that attack grain mites without harming the grain.
Monitoring is essential for early detection. Use sticky traps placed inside storage bins, checking weekly for capture rates. Conduct grain samples every month, examining 100 g under a microscope for mite presence. Record findings and adjust control measures accordingly.
Integrating preventive, chemical, and non‑chemical tactics forms an effective management program, minimizes grain loss, and complies with safety regulations.