Question
How do I keep insects out of stored grain?
Answer(s)
Homeowners can freeze grains to control insects. To control insects by freezing, place 1 to 15 pounds of grain in a medium to heavy plastic bag and place in freezer for 2-3 days. After removing bag from freezer leave grain in a warm room for 24 hours to allow grain to dry from condensation.
If you have large amounts of grain you can use dry ice fumigation. In a 5-gallon bucket place 3 to 4 inches of grain in the bottom, spread 2 ounces of dry ice on the 3 to 4 inches of grain. After the ice is added, fill the container with grain to desired depth. Allow approximately 30 minutes for the ice to vaporize (evaporate) before placing the lid tightly on the container. You can place the lid ajar over the container during the 30 minute evaporation phase. After evaporation the lid must be fit air-tight to remain effective.
Note: Freezing and dry ice will control adult and larval stage insects, but not eggs. You may have to use multiple freeze cycles until no further insect activity is observed.
Other Questions In This Topic
- Information for Canning at High Altitudes.
- I have a question regarding commercially canned tomatoes. I have read on your website that the nutritional value of vegetables may not be maintained after the expiration date. I have heard somewhere that tomatoes are an exception, and there could be a problem with the tomatoes that would not be able to be detected, and that they should just be discarded at the expiration date for safety's sake. Is this true?
- I've read that dry pack food storage products expire within x amount of years depending on the product. My parents purchased a LARGE quantity (over 100 cases of #10 cans) of assorted dry pack 28 years ago from Desert Supply Company; wheat, cornmeal, powdered milk, eggs, instant potatoes etc. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with throwing it all out. Can you please confirm that this is wasted product or is there anything salvagable.. and if so for how much longer would it be good? It has been stored in a dry/dark cool basement.
- Where should I put my food storage?
- I would like to find a recipe for canning apple pie filling that is safe for my elevation. I have looked through your web sites to no avail. Please direct me.
- How to store fesh oranges to last as long as possible?
- I have a question about my pressure canned sliced peaches. I cold-packed sliced peaches covering them with a light syrup. Following instructions I packed them with 1/2 inch headspace and poured the liquid to 1/2 inch headspace. However, the peaches floated up so that they were not covered by the liquid during processing. I did run a wooden spatula down the sides of the jars and seemed to get all air bubbles out of the jar. I processed in the pressure canner according to instructions at 10 PSI for 10 minutes. When I removed the jars the liquid was boiling and there seemed to be a lot of air bubbles around the fruit. The jars were already sealed when I took them out of the canner after waiting 10 minutes after the pressure seal dropped. The liquid is down considerably - looks to be about 1 1/2 to 2 inches and the peaches are floating. There are air bubbles and air pockets. The seal is fine. Are these peaches safe?
- I just prepared pesto today containing basil, pine nuts, garlic, italian cheeses, and lemon juice, pretty much in that order from largest quantity to smallest. For how long could I keep this in my freezer before the oil will go rancid or the pesto will otherwise be inedible. Seems to me that I kept some a while back for 6 months, and after eating it I got sick, though this could be coincidental.