I am sooo increasing production for consumption..... it's a poem
btw...to clarify why I heat instead of freeze wheat bran and chicken feed (I don't treat rolled oats or flour)
This is the article I read 'way back when' that prompted me to heat instead of freeze. I guess I could keep the stuff that I'm not using in the freezer for that long but I'm usually not prepared enough. Upon reading it though, I did find out that I had it too high (300 degrees or so). It only need to be around 130 degrees for 15 minutes.
I do apologize for having that incorrect.
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Control of Grain-Feeding Insects
Grain-feeding insects are treated differently from fungus-feeding insects. There are 4 main options for controlling insects feeding on stored grain.
1. Cold Temperatures: An effective method of controlling insect infestations in stored grain in winter is to lower the temperature of the grain. Rusty grain beetles and most other stored grain insects can be killed by periods of low temperatures as follows:
Grain Temperature in degrees Celsius
Time Required to kill insects
-5 C or 23° F
12 weeks
-10 C or 14° F
8 weeks
-15 C or 5° F
4 weeks
-20 C or -4° F
1 week
Grain in bins over 6 metres in diameter will not cool sufficiently without assistance, such as through aeration, to control some insects.
2. High Temperatures: All four stages of insects (eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) will die if subjected to high temperatures for a sufficient period of time. The most realistic use of high temperatures for controlling insects would be when the grain was tough and in need of drying. In this case, the insects would be killed at the same time as the grain is dried. The insects need to be exposed to temperatures in the range of 50 to 55
˚C for approximately 15 minutes.
3. Moving Grain: The use of pneumatic conveyors to move grain has been shown to give good control of some insect pests of stored grain.
4. Insecticides: Chemical treatment of the bin is another option.
Diatomaceous earth can be used for control of grain feeding insects in many stored grains. It is sold under the trade names Protect-It or Insecto.
Fumigants containing aluminum phosphide, such as Phostoxin, are available in pellet or tablet form. These fumigants should be used only when the grain temperature is above 4oC. The use and sale of aluminum phosphide in Manitoba is restricted to licensed pesticide applicators possessing a valid stored agricultural products license.
