How to remove ticks from grain? - briefly
Use a vibrating screen or aspiration device to separate and extract ticks from the grain, followed by a low‑temperature air blast to clean the product. Maintain and regularly inspect the equipment to prevent re‑infestation.
How to remove ticks from grain? - in detail
Removing tick insects from stored grain requires a systematic approach that combines inspection, cleaning, environmental control, and, when necessary, chemical treatment.
Begin with thorough inspection. Separate the grain into manageable batches and pass each batch through a fine mesh sieve (1 mm opening) to separate larger particles and expose hidden insects. Use a bright light source to detect movement. Any grain showing live or dead ticks should be isolated for further processing.
Cleaning steps:
- Mechanical separation – Employ an aspirator or air‑blast separator to dislodge insects from the grain surface. Adjust airflow to 2 m s⁻¹ to avoid grain damage.
- Washing – Rinse grain in a water‑spray system at 45 °C for 2–3 minutes. Add a mild surfactant (0.1 % non‑ionic) to improve wetting. Drain and dry promptly to prevent moisture buildup.
- Thermal treatment – Pass grain through a rotary dryer set at 70–80 °C for 30 minutes. This temperature range kills ticks without compromising seed viability.
Environmental control is essential to prevent re‑infestation. Maintain storage temperature below 15 °C and relative humidity under 13 %. Ensure the storage facility is sealed, with airtight doors and filtered ventilation. Install regular monitoring devices for temperature, humidity, and insect activity.
If mechanical and environmental measures do not achieve acceptable pest levels, apply a registered insecticide. Choose a product approved for cereal storage, such as a phosphine fumigant, and follow label instructions precisely: dosage of 1.5 g m⁻³, exposure time 48 hours, and post‑treatment aeration for 24 hours before grain release.
Finally, implement a monitoring program. Set up pheromone traps at entry points and inspect them weekly. Record tick counts, adjust control measures accordingly, and rotate storage batches to avoid prolonged exposure.
Following these procedures eliminates ticks efficiently while preserving grain quality.