Many times we enter the process of applying phosphine at a specific time. Sometimes this is when the product enters the warehouse, after a certain period of time or during a holiday period. But when is the right time to apply it?
How do we start?
Let’s start from the moment of harvesting the product (cereals, legumes, etc.). First of all, we must get rid of last year’s residues. In warehouse materials such as bricks, panels, cement, etc., under the dust, it is possible to find various forms of insects. These are noticeable in cases where we have adults, but not easily when it comes to larval, pupal or even egg forms. For this reason, a very good cleaning of all surfaces with a broom or even better with water using a washing machine must be preceded. After drying all surfaces, the space is suitable to receive new quantities of product. Over time, after the introduction of product into a warehouse, either from last year’s residues or from an insect invasion, the appearance of warehouse insects is very likely.
But when will the phosphine be applied?
A rule of thumb suggested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is: Phosphine should be applied when 2 adults/kg are recorded on an average of 10 samples. According to this rule, the presence of 2 adults per kg of sample requires the application of phosphine. In the case of a lower population, the cost of application is economically unprofitable in relation to the damage caused by the presence of insects. If a higher population is recorded, it means that we are late and it is necessary to apply phosphine immediately.
How do we take samples?
Regarding the samples that should be taken, the most appropriate method is that of a sampling probe. When there is no sampling probe, samples should be taken from both the upper layers, the middle and the lower layers in some way. When the phosphine is applied at this stage, then we have the maximum result in relation to the level of damage caused by insect infestation in the stored product.
Agroza has many years of experience in the use of phosphine, with proven technical competence and reliability in the industry. It maintains an exclusive partnership with Detia Degesch Group, the leading international company in the field of Phosphine.
See our company’s entire range of phosphine preparations Phostoxin®, Magtoxin® and Gastoxin® by clicking here.
Contact us at info@agroza.gr or by phone at 2109920182, 2109927286, to discuss together how you can address the problems arising from storage insects, as well as for more information about the Phostoxin®, Magtoxin® and Gastoxin® preparations.