As harvest 2025 approaches, one critical task should be moving to the top of every arable farmers to-do list: grain store hygiene.
While all eyes are often on crop performance in the field, the reality is that poor storage preparation can undo months of hard work. One overlooked infestation or missed treatment could lead to pest problems that compromise the quality, safety, and market value of your grain.
Ken Black, account manager at Envu, makes it clear: “Insect control in grain storage is no longer optional—it’s essential. With milder winters removing the natural cooling conditions that used to help keep pest populations down, farms are seeing greater insect pressure during the storage period.”
Warmer Winters, Bigger Risks
Historically, colder winters acted as a natural pest control mechanism. Frosty temperatures helped keep storage conditions cool and limited the activity and lifecycle of insects such as grain weevils, saw-toothed grain beetles, and flour beetles. But now, with milder conditions becoming the norm, grain stores are more susceptible to infestations that once would have been suppressed by winter weather.
This shift means farmers must compensate with better grain store hygiene and proactive treatment strategies—particularly as insects can often remain hidden in equipment, cracks, or unseen corners of the building.
Despite all the hard work growers put into cultivating crops, poor grain store preparation can lead to significant losses during storage, Ken explains; “If you don’t get the storage environment as clean and insect-free as possible, you risk undoing all that effort. Grain storage preparation is often the missing piece of the growing season jigsaw, but insect damage in stores can result in losses comparable to pests and diseases in the field.”
A Thorough Clean Isn’t Just Sweeping the Floor
Ken Black advises that grain store cleaning should start six to eight weeks before harvest, giving time to assess and address any hidden risks.
“It’s not enough to just clean the visible areas,” he explains. “We consistently see insects hiding in hard-to-reach areas like roof voids, ducting, underfloor spaces, elevators, and even inside combines.”
A full deep-clean must include:
- Removal of old dust, debris, and crop residues
- Cleaning of all machinery and handling equipment
- Scrubbing roof spaces, underfloor voids, and wall junctions
- Using insect monitoring traps to assess pest levels
Once this is complete, traps should be checked after 7–10 days. If pests are present—as is often the case—a grain store protectant should be applied across all surfaces.
K-Obiol® EC25: Trusted, Proven, Powerful
One of the most effective treatments for grain stores ahead of harvest is K-Obiol® EC25 exclusive to Lodi UK. Designed for application after cleaning and before new grain is stored, K-Obiol EC25 provides broad-spectrum protection against both primary and secondary storage insects.
With up to two months of residual activity, it targets:
- Grain Weevils
- Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles
- Red Rust Flour Beetles
- Fungus Beetles
Applied via sprayer until surfaces are wet, the treatment needs a minimum of 24 hours to begin working on adult insects, and more time to catch later emerging life stages. This ensures comprehensive coverage and breaks the cycle before it starts.
Don’t Stop There – Treat the Grain Itself
While K-Obiol EC25 handles structural protection, pairing it with K-Obiol ULV gives full-circle protection by treating the grain itself as it enters the store.
This dual defence approach—treating the structure and the crop—provides peace of mind, safeguarding your yield, your revenue, and your reputation.
At Lodi UK, we’re committed to supporting farmers with trusted grain storage solutions that are practical, reliable, and backed by years of success in the field.
Store Smarter, Not Harder
Whether you store grain short or long-term, the consequences of insect damage are severe: rejected loads, price deductions, and contaminated stock. Prevention is always cheaper and more effective than cure.
So don’t leave it until the trailers are queuing up—make time now to:
- Inspect and deep-clean your storage site
- Identify potential hotspots for insect activity
- Use K-Obiol EC25 to protect the entire storage structure
- Apply K-Obiol ULV to your harvested grain for total cover
With professional, farm-ready formulations and technical support from the team at Lodi UK, protecting your grain has never been simpler.
Ready to take control before pests do?
Contact Lodi UK today for advice on application, availability, and how our K-Obiol products can become the most important part of your pre-harvest prep.
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