If the grain samples reveal insect activity, the alternatives for controlling a grain infestation are the following:
Controlled Atmosphere (CO2, O2, N2)
Low oxygen atmospheres can be obtained by the increase of the percentage of other gases (such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen). The process can be monitored using Centaur’s platform, in the “Chart” tab, selecting O2 (Figure 3).
Figure 3. The user interface of Centaur’s web platform monitoring the oxygen concentration inside a silo.
Fumigation
A fumigation process could be applied for insect control. Using Centaur’s platform, a methodology for planning precision phosphine fumigations can be established (Figure 4). Users monitor the process using Centaur’s sensors and receive notifications for the fumigation duration and when success could be enabled.
Figure 4. The user interface of Centaur’s web platform predicting the outcome of phosphine fumigation.
Aeration cooling
At temperatures below 21°C, the population growth of most storage insects is significantly suppressed. Grain temperatures of 16° to 21°C are considered “safe” for insect management because feeding and breeding are slow. Complete life cycles at these temperatures take three months or more, so insect population growth remains insignificant. Insect damage caused by these low-temperature conditions is minimal.
This process can be monitored as described here.