Pest management for stored grains

1. Store the grains in a clean godown
2. Fill cracks, crevices and holes with cement.
3. Use brand new gunny bags. Old gunny bags if used, must be disinfected by dipping in 1 part malathion (Cythion 50 EC) in 500 parts water for 10 minutes and dried in shade before filling the grains.
4. Disinfect empty godown in April-May by spraying 1 part malathion (Cythion 50 EC) in 100 parts water on floor, walls and ceiling or by using 25 tablets of Celphos/Phostoxin or 35 L EDCT mixture per 100 cm m (36000 ft.)
5. Mix 5% malathion (Cythion) dust @ 2.5 kg/metric tonne or 250 g/qunital grains meant for seed only.

Caution :

1. Where there is infestation of khapra, fumigation of godown with Celphos Phostoxin is essential by using double the recommended doses.
2. Do not mix BHC with grains meant for consumption.
3. Fumigate only in air tight stores. Do not use them in houses.

1. Phostoxin, Delicia or Celphos @ one tablet of 3g/metric tonne or 25 tablets/100 cu metre space. Exposure 7 days.
2. EDCT mixture (Kiloptera) 1 L for 20 quintals of grains or 35 L for 100 cubic metre space. Exposure 4 days.

Root-knot nematodes

Leaves of affected tomato, brinjal and bhendi plants become discoloured after the invasion of their roots by the larvae. Occasionally, leaves dry up and plant height is affected. On the roots, distinct galls or knots develop and in case of severe infestation, side roots develop profusely which gradually weaken the plants.

1. In case of nursery crops, apply Albicarb or Carbofuran @ 1 kg a.i./ha at the time of seed sowing/transplanting.
2. Crop rotation with non-host crops like maize and paddy should be practised. Growing of these vegetable crops on the same piece of land year after year helps higher population build up of this nematode and causes heavy damage to the crops.
3. Chemical application on large sale (under field conditions) is not normally recommended, as it is very costly. If necessary, the same dosages of nematicides as mentioned for nursery treatment should be applied under field conditions in nematode infested patches only.
4. Grow resistant varieties if available.

Snails and slugs

Snails and slugs eat the emerging radicle and plumule. They also feed on the bran leaves of younger plants and cause severe damage.

Field rats and house rats

They cause heavy losses and destroy the stored grains and other products by consuming, contaminating with their excreta, urine, hair and extraneous matter. They also spoil storage bags, clothes, etc.

1. Close all burrows in the evening and fumigate reopened burrows of field rats with Phostoxin or Celphos or Delicia using 1/2 part of 3 tablets/burrow in clay and sandy soils.
2. Bail with zinc phosphide : Smear 19.5 kg wheat, gram, maize or bajra grains with sarson oil and mix with it 500 g zinc phosphide. Put one table spoon of these poisoned grains in or outside burrows.

Jackals and porcupines

They are generally active at night and damage sugarcane, maize, jowar, green vegetables, watermelon, sweet potato and plant nurseries.

Birds

Some birds such as sparrows, parrots, crows, etc. are harmful to many grain crops, vegetables and fruits.

1. Scare them away by means of mechanical bird scarer.
2. Sparrows can be killed by feeding them soaked wheat grains containing 2% fenthion (Lebaycid 50 EC).
3. Crows can be killed by feeding them on chapatis soaked in water containing 2% fenthion (Lebaycid 50 EC).

Caution :Soak 1 kg wheat grains in 1/2 L water containing 4-5 ml Lebaycid 50 EC for 6 hours. Dry under shade, These grains should be spread on cloth late in the evening so that sparrows may eat them early the morning. Pets, cattle and children should be kept away from bait.