Reaction of Polish industry to reduction of pesticides suitable for stored product protection

Abstract

Methyl bromide (MB) had been widely used for fumigation of durable commodities, perishable products, structures and transport vehicles. This good gaseous pesticide may not be replaced by one alternative, but various methods and means have to be used. Contact insecticides may be used as MB alternatives on stored grain and in storage structures and food production plants. These insecticides are applied directly to grain during handling on grain conveyors and elevators, or sprayed onto the surface of bag stacks, walls and floors of empty structures and transport vehicles. Spaces of structures are sometimes treated by “fogging” to control of flying insects. However, the number of available contact insecticides was recently limited by the Directive 91/414/EEC and the others will be restricted in the EU by a new Thematic Strategy on Pesticides. Thus, the following measures are currently used in Poland: (a) phosphine, (b) a few contact insecticides, (c) heat, (d) high pressure and CO₂, and (e) Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The most important mean is phosphine (PH3) from solid phosphides. The following techniques for application of solid phosphides were adopted: (a) Speedbox, (b) dispenser technique, (c) phosphine recirculation system (J-System). Speedboxes seems to be popular in Poland as handling and maintenance of them is simple, and the gas concentration required for killing the pests is reached in shorter time. J-System has been installed in a silo of the ZZZ Company in Zamosc, Poland, and it is already used in fumigation treatments of stored grain. The high pressure chambers that hold 20-30 bars of pressure and 100% carbon dioxide are now being used in Bialystok and Lublin for medicinal herb treatments.