Thermal Disinfestation of Stored Grain Insects Using Solar Energy

Abstract

Chemical control, especially fumigants, is the most used method to control stored-grain pests. A safer alternative for disinfestation is to heat grains to a temperature of 50-60 o C. However, this alternative consumes high thermal energy due to the relatively high temperature required to achieve the required goal. In the present paper, a grain solar heating system has been developed to achieve this high temperature/short time technique to control Callosobruchus maculatus, one of the most common pests of many legumes. The solar heating system provides an attractive alternative to conventional electric heating systems or gas-fired heating systems. The present results show that the proposed system is successful in suppressing C. maculatus population within 115 min under temperatures from 55 to 57 o C. This thermal range is capable of controlling most of the stored grain insects. Employing solar heating provides a simple, energy-saving alternative to small and medium-scale applications.

The Effect of Solar Heating on Lesser Grain Borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

“…Stored in eggs, larvae and pupae, detailed results in Egypt showed that the spoilage was 67.60%, while the kill was 4.30% in the bags. The best weight and quantity of black grains inside the bags gave excellent results, which was 16 kilograms of rice [10]. The technology of recording sunlight against warehouse insects is not new.…”