Before filling grain bins or using temporary storage, clean the bins or storage site thoroughly.
Debris on a ledge inside a steel grain bin.
In this photo, the ledge above the entrance is an ideal area where insects are likely to develop if the grain bin is not cleaned before it is filled.
Follow these steps each time you empty a bin and before filling it with new grain:
Eliminate dust and dockage from any cracks in the bin.
Repair holes, cracks and leaks in the bin and cracks in the floor if it is concrete.
Clean under the floor grates.
Apply approved insecticides to disinfest grain bins
For temporary storage - clear area of all debris.
For temporary storage - ensure area is graded sothat water flows away from the grain.
Temporary storage
Temporary storage may be defined as storing grain in a location for a short period of time prior to marketing. It is often used when current storage is full and marketing conditions are not attractive.
Temporary storage may include using
Structures not intended for grain storage, for example, machine sheds
Bunker storage. In this case, the ground, bunker and covers should be prepared appropriately.
Piling grain on the ground. In this case, preparing the ground and tarp is important to preserve grain quality.
