ABOUT FUMIGATION SERVICES

Spot fumigation is the short-term treatment of processing machinery and equipment with phosphine fumigant. To control the adult and larval life stages of insects that infest particles remaining within the equipment, spot fumigations are necessary. Interrupting the life cycles of the insect pests is the intention of spot treatments. Since one or more life stages may survive, control of insect infestations require periodic repetition of spot fumigations. When proper dosage and exposure times occur, Phosphine gas is effective against all life stages of insects. However, long exposure times and proper sealing of equipment are required to kill all life stages. An effective program to disrupt the insect life cycle uses Magtoxin on a monthly schedule. As a result, killing those life stages that survived the first treatment or insects recently introduced into the equipment.

First, identify all equipment to be treated, then inspect for significant sources of leakage. Your IFC Manager can determine what equipment is a good candidate for a spot treatment and best methods for sealing. In some instances, work orders to facility maintenance personnel may be necessary to repair equipment to improve gas retention.

Fumigant labeling allows for the treatment of railcars, containers, trailers or other transport vehicles. However, regulations prohibit fumigation in-transit over public roads. These type of treatment sites can be easily sealed and treated as needed. Do not schedule treatments when ambient air temperatures are low, unless you can heat the site. For example via the use of a heated reefer trailer. Fumigation of flour cars are common during the warmer months while in transit, as part of a quality assurance program. The shipper must provide advanced notice to the railcar receiver site. The receiving site must have procedures to properly receive and aerate the fumigated commodity, including a Fumigation Management Plan.

Direct fumigation of stored grain is another treatment option that fumigant labeling allows. In addition to proper sealing, you must carefully consider fumigant movement throughout a large grain mass. Research shows that without proper recirculation, fumigant gas will move up and down within the grain mass depending on daily temperature fluctuations, updrafts and temperature differences between the grain mass and ambient air temperature (Reed 2006). Proper gas monitoring is necessary to maintain effective concentrations throughout the entire grain mass for the required treatment time.

Fumigation of ship holds of grain can occur while the ship is in-transit. However, take into account special safety considerations to ensure the ship crew’s safety. The U.S. Coast Guard governs in-transit ship fumigations. They require completion of extra paperwork and inspections prior to the treatment. Fumigated containers may also be loaded onto ships to complete the fumigation treatment time while in transit. DOT RSPA require additional safety procedures to ensure safety during the voyage.

Fumigation of grain loaded barges may occur while in-transit. Product labeling states that leaks are a common cause of failures in the treatment of commodity aboard barges. Consequently, it is especially important to make sure all hatches are tight. The shipper must notify the site receiving fumigated barges so that proper receipt and unloading can occur. The Coast Guard also regulates barge fumigations and obtaining a Special Permit 2-75 is mandatory prior to the fumigation.

Fumigation of covered commodities can occur using poly sheeting or fumigation tarps to create a relatively gas tight enclosure. Commonly referred to as tarp fumigations. It is important to make sure the treatment site around the tarp is secure. The tarp could easily puncture or otherwise damaged. Carefully consider bystander safety if personnel will remain onsite during the treatment and aeration period.