5 replies to this topic

[Rudra]

Hello,

I am facing a very big problem in my stores where I keep raw materials like flour, maize, wheat bran, fish meal, soya. High infestation of weevils!
Every 3 months we do fumigation. A fogging is done thrice weekly but still not all are eradicated. All raw mat are verified for pests before use.
Any guys knows how to get rid of these? Any special control plan needed?

Best regards,
shakti

[john123]

Is your product sterilized in some manner before it gets to you? Could be you're receiving product that looks ok visually because of whatever stage the weevils are in, then they grow up and you spot them later.

Are your storage containers sealed to prevent intrusion?

[maria_e18]

Your infestation is likely coming from the wheat bran. Weevil eggs are inherent in this product as they do not undergo any egg destruction such as your flour product. Keeping the wheat bran in a refrigerated store room may help. We have determined that wheat bran in high temperatures (above 21 deg cel) and high humidity have a short shelf life of only 3 months.

[Charles.C]

Dear Rudra,

One professional solution for wheat flours and related is to store in cold rooms. IMEX -18degC works pefectly but maybe chilled rooms, eg 0-4degC, can also be used. Requires investment but otherwise the bags start walking away on their own after a few months in hot climate.

Not sure about low temperature compatibility all yr items mentioned though ?

I think frequent, routine, closed system fumigation and quick raw material turnaround is a fact of life for many flour production operations at high ambient temperatures. Just like pest control. Same thing for ships holds / grain cargoes.

Rgds / Charles.C

[Mmmm_food]

I agree. Keeping weevil prone ingredients in cool conditions is definately the best way to control them. If a cool room (below 5 degrees) is not feasible, even storing materials somewhere air conditioned is a huge improvement on a warehouse with no temperture control at all.

If you can identify the ingredient that is the source of the weevils, perhaps isolate it because they quickly migrate to other products.

[Empirestate]

Buy a container and fumigate effected product with phostoxin for a week, No more weevil. Just check the laws of your own country if phostoxin is permitted.