Evaluation of Cold Temperatures and Reduced-Risk Insecticides to Control Stored Product Insects

Stored-product insect populations are usually controlled by the use of insecticides, including the fumigants phosphine in stored grains and sulfuryl fluoride in mills. However, the development of resistance to phosphine, and the potential safety issues posed by fumigants, necessitates the evaluation of new reduced-risk insecticides and non-toxic methods such as use of extreme temperatures for control of insect pest populations. Although heat treatments can be used to control insect pests in mills and warehouses, there are few studies evaluating the use of cold as a disinfestation strategy. The objective of this collaboration is to determine effectiveness of reduced-risk insecticides and also cold temperatures to control stored product insects.