Development of a controlled dosing system for methyl bromide fumigation of mills and grain storage structures

Abstract

A new microprocessor-controlled dosing system to fumigate flour mills using methyl bromide was tested at three mills. Concentration-time products (CTPs) high enough to control all stages of pest species were obtained at all three mills except at one gas sampling position at one of the mills which was located near a site of leakage. However, the CTP at this position was high enough to control all stages of insects in a bioassay that was placed at this position.

At the third site two mills were fumigated, one under control of the dosing system and the other using the traditional method. A saving in the amount of methyl bromide used was demonstrated in the mill fumigated using the dosing system even under the ideal weather conditions observed. In more windy conditions a greater saving would be expected.