EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF FUMIGATION ON STORED-PRODUCT INSECT POPULATIONS IN FLOUR MILLS

There is limited information available on the impact of fumigation on pest populations in food facilities such as flour mills. This makes it difficult to compare the effectiveness of methyl bromide alternatives such as surfuryl fluoride. Traditional field monitoring approaches do not provide an accurate assessment of the impact of the treatment on resident pest populations. The critical questions about fumigant efficacy in the field are 1) how much is the pest population reduced following treatment, and 2)how quickly does the pest population rebound.