Evaluation of Methoxychlor for the Protection of Stored Wheat and Shelled Corn from Insect Attack

Excerpts from the report Introduction: Changes in grain handling and storage practices in the past few years have lengthened the periods of time grain may be stored, sometimes up to 5 years. The reserves of grain accumulated as a result of increased yields and the price-support loan program have required new and improved methods of insect control. Emphasis now is being placed on preventive rather than curative measures of preserving grain from insect attack. In line with this trend, intensive studies were initiated in the fall of 1952 to explore the possibility of applying insecticides directly to stored wheat and shelled corn to prevent the development of insect infestation. The use of insecticides for this purpose introduces numerous problems. The residues of insecticide on the grain must be studied to determine whether they are within safe limits for the ultimate consumer--human beings or livestock--and whether the grade of the grain is affected by the treatments. This report is the first of a series, presenting the results of the tests with various protective treatments. In the tests described here, methoxychlor dusts were used as the protective treatment. Other studies with methoxychlor are still underway, but owing to the immediate interest in protective treatments, the results through December 1956 are presented now. The data are divided into two groups for presentation, one group covering the tests on protection of wheat, the other on shelled corn.