How to get rid of lice in grains? - briefly
Remove infested grain, thoroughly clean storage containers, and apply a controlled‑temperature or low‑oxygen treatment to eradicate the pests. Then use a registered grain‑safe insecticide or biological control agent to prevent reinfestation.
How to get rid of lice in grains? - in detail
Eliminate grain lice by combining preventive measures, physical treatments, chemical controls, and monitoring.
Begin with thorough cleaning of storage facilities. Remove residual grain, dust, and debris; sweep floors, clean walls, and disinfect surfaces with a suitable sanitizer. Seal cracks and gaps to block entry points for insects.
Inspect incoming grain before storage. Use a sample of 1 % of the total load and examine it under a magnifying lens for live or dead insects, larvae, and eggs. Reject contaminated batches or treat them separately.
Apply temperature management. Raise grain temperature to 55 °C (131 °F) and maintain for at least 30 minutes to kill all life stages. Alternatively, cool grain to below –20 °C (–4 °F) for 48 hours; freezing eliminates eggs and larvae.
Employ aeration to reduce moisture content beneath 13 % (wet basis). Low humidity discourages development and reproduction. Use forced-air fans to circulate cool, dry air throughout the bulk.
When physical methods are insufficient, introduce approved insecticides. Select products labeled for stored‑product pests, follow label rates, and rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance. Apply via dusting, spraying, or fogging, ensuring uniform coverage of the grain mass.
Consider biological control agents such as Parasiticus spp. or entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Beauveria bassiana). These organisms infect and kill lice without leaving chemical residues. Integrate them with other tactics for long‑term suppression.
Implement regular monitoring. Place pheromone traps at strategic points and inspect them weekly. Record trap catches, temperature, and humidity to detect population trends early.
Maintain proper post‑treatment practices. Store grain in airtight, ventilated containers; keep temperature and moisture within safe limits; rotate stock to avoid prolonged storage.
By adhering to this integrated approach—sanitation, inspection, temperature control, aeration, targeted chemicals, biological agents, and continuous monitoring—infestations can be eradicated and future outbreaks prevented.