weevils in feeder corn

[spotsanddots]

How do we keep the weevils out of our feeder corn? No weevils where we store corn in barrel. Weevils get in the feeder barrel. Weevils dust clogs up feeder. Any ideas?

[hogslayer78]

Following. We have the same problem.

[RedRaider323]

We have this problem too. Built a wooden box to encapsulate the corn in, helped a little, definitely kept the rats out. I just buy one pallet at a time now, instead of stocking up more, so I can get rid of it faster without the bugs hitting it too bad.

[Cajun Blake]

IMO, the weevil larvae were already in the corn kernels and haven't hatched yet. No telling how long the corn was sitting at the feed store and moisture content. I doubt seriously that the feed store uses preventative measures before packaging to minimize weevils


Copy/paste with lots of valuable info :

DAMAGE
These weevils are very destructive grain pests. Of the three, the rice weevil is probably the most insidious, owing largely to the ability of flight. All three weevils develop as larvae within the grain kernels. They frequently cause almost complete destruction of grain in elevators or bins, where conditions are favorable and the grain is undisturbed for some length of time. Infested grain will usually be found heating at the surface, and it may be damp, sometimes to such an extent that sprouting occurs. Wheat, corn, macaroni, oats, barley, sorghum, Kaffir seed, and buckwheat are just some of the grains and products on which these weevils feed.

CONTROL
Prevention is the best strategy to avoid insect problems in stored grains. Proper bin sanitation before introduction of new grain minimizes the need for pesticides. Good sanitation involves the removal of old grain and dust in and around the grain bin. This includes removal of old grain from corners, floors, and walls and grain that may have spilled on the exterior of the bin. Any grain remaining when a bin is emptied can harbor insect infestations which will move into the new grain. After the bin is cleaned, and all needed repairs have been made, the floor and wall surfaces both inside and outside the bin should be treated. Take special care to treat all cracks, crevices, and areas around doorways and other places where insects could hide or enter. Spray the bins about four to six weeks prior to storing grain.

Before grain is placed in a bin, it should be screened to eliminate fine materials and broken kernels. Grain placed in a clean bin should be checked at two week intervals during warm months and at one month intervals during cooler months for the presence of hotspots, moldy areas, and live insects. If any of these conditions exist, the grain should be aerated to lower the moisture level and temperature.

Grain that is to be stored for longer than six months may need a protective application of an approved insecticide. Treatments can be applied as the grain is loaded into the bin through the use of a metering device calibrated to apply the proper amounts. After the grain is binned and leveled, a surface dressing can be applied to prevent insects from entering the grain on the surface. If infestation occurs in spite of these precautions, fumigation of the grain will be necessary. Because of the high toxicity of registered fumigants and technical knowledge needed for their proper use, a qualified pesticide applicator should be contacted to perform the fumigation.

[Huggybear]

Clean out and turn up your feeder timer to feed more.

[spotsanddots]

Dad has a small capsule feeder. He scooped all the corn out and cleaned out the bottom where the weevil dust was. He's now trying to figure out how to keep them from returning. Or do you think they are already in the corn? The barrel he stores it in is air tight, so he thinks they are getting into the feeder. Or is that wrong to assume?

[tx07]

Clean out and turn up your feeder timer to feed more.

Yep, if it's in the barrel too long. You get them.
Spin more then 3 seconds. 2 or 3 times a day. Don't have this issue using 4 to 5 seconds or more.

[Drycreek3189]

Dad has a small capsule feeder. He scooped all the corn out and cleaned out the bottom where the weevil dust was. He's now trying to figure out how to keep them from returning. Or do you think they are already in the corn? The barrel he stores it in is air tight, so he thinks they are getting into the feeder. Or is that wrong to assume?

They are already in the corn. Buy the freshest corn you can find, ( I know, it's a crapshoot ), and if your corn has weevils in it, feed it as fast as you can. Good funnels help also because they let ALL the corn empty out. It's a PITA, but it's better to let your feeder run out if it has weevils, so you can start fresh. Also, when you start to buy corn, look for weevils or dust BEFORE you load it up. If it's suspect, go somewhere else and buy.

[Playa]

This will do the trick, works on prairie dog towns too.....


Good luck getting your hand on some.

[tex4k]

Check for them before you is the best, look for them between bags and for the dust they leave. If you buy paper bags you can see tiny holes where they've eaten their way in. The larvae won't hatch until the temps get into the mid 70's, so storing it in a cool dry place helps. We also dust our feed bags with seven as we put them into storage.

[dustoffer]

I used about 1/4th of a No-Pest Strip attached to the inside of the feeder lid to keep the wasps out--and never noticed weevil problems in the feeder barrel. All my feeders get dumped and thumped to get the dust and residue out before refilling for the season.

[SmTx]

Used to buy in bulk from a local corn farmer.

He has something he'd spray the corn with and it could sit in tubs all season long and not get weevils. No sure what it was but it worked.