Grain fumigation is a service provided by Giles Sharley, founder of The Bristol Pest Controller. Giles has over 20 years of experience, knowledge and qualifications within the fumigation industry.
Based in the Southwest for pest control, bird control and falconry we’ve now become reputable and recognised nationwide in grain fumigation.
When we treat your grain we’ll only use the best UK approved pesticides that are recognised by DEFRA.
And during the treatment, we’ll monitor the fumigation gas levels throughout. We do this using the most technically advanced equipment available on the fumigation market.
What is the grain fumigation process?
The process of grain fumigation involves us placing a fumigation sheet within the grain. After that, the grain is bedded down and sealed it. We’ll seal this within a grain store, a bin or a silo.
We’ll insert the substance beneath the sheet to begin the treatment. This sheet releases a gas called Phosphine (pH3). The result of using this kills all targetted pests within your grain.
With the gas, we use you won’t find traces of chemicals left in your grain once it’s complete. This is because there won’t be any residue left at the end. And we’ll make sure the correct amount of gas is used for the right amount of grain.
We’ll monitor the gas levels throughout the treatment, with an electronic reader. After 10-14 days we’ll return, to remove the fumigation sheet.
When we return to your grain, we’ll check the gas concentration levels. If they are below the workplace exposure limit (WEL). We’ll issue you with a fumigation clearance certificate.
The certificate confirms that the area is now safe for workers to enter and handle the commodity.
Why do I need grain fumigation?
The infestations of stored grain can result in significant damage to your product and cause a serious loss:
- Loss of commodity
- Spoilt grain
- Contamination by mould growth
- Contamination with dead insect bodies and waste products
- Commodity downgraded from human food-grade to animal feed grade
- Rejection of the commodity by consumers
- Prosecution under the Food Safety Act 1990
How does the fumigation kill the target pests?
Conventional pesticides like traditional sprays will not penetrate bulk grain. With wheat or oats, it is not an effective way to control insect infestation.
The Phosphine gas we use will diffuse as separate molecules that will penetrate into the bulk grain. We’ll ensure temperature levels are maintained, to ensure the activity of the gas molecular is consistent.
As Phosphine works in the gaseous form, it enters the pest through the respiratory system.
Phosphine can move throughout the grain being treated reaching pests that would not be accessible to conventional pesticides.
How to monitor grain fumigation in the UK.
It’s really important to monitor the pests ahead of the treatment. This is to ensure the infestation doesn’t become an issue. You may need to monitor your grain to adjust environmental conditions. Things like temperature and moisture levels.
This is to make sure the conditions are unfavourable to insect development.
Monitoring the grain it can be easily done by installing pitfall traps. These can be put into the surface of the grain. You’ll need to check them at periodic intervals.
It’s important to monitor the grain after fumigation for activity, to prevent a re-infestation.
Signs to look for in a grain store insect infestation:
- Live or dead insects
- Flying or crawling insects on the product, bags or pallets
- Webbing produced by the larvae of Warehouse moth and Mill moth (Ephestia spp)
- Frass
- Cast skins
- Visible exit holes in grains left by emerging adult weevils
- Damp, mould and even grain germination resulting from infected grain getting warmer (hot-spots)
- Insects tracks through floury dust
If you are looking for more information about grain care. Or to get a quote to fumigate your bulk stored grain, you can get in touch with Giles on 07970749482.
We used the grain fumigation contractor to deal with an infestation of saw-toothed grain beetle. The team were very professional from start to finish, they explained the whole process with the fumigation and returned 10days to remove sheet and signs. Top company, I would highly recommend for fumigation work with stored grain.