Alternatives to Methyl Bromide; Integrated Pest Management in Danish Flour Mills

Summary

Methyl bromide has been used as a fumigant throughout the Danish milling industry for many years, for insect pest control when insect infestations reached unacceptable levels.

Its approval in Denmark, as a fumigant, will be withdrawn from 1998, in accordance with notice from The Ministry of the Environment, order number 478, 3 July 1994, concerning the use of ozone depleting substances.

Integrated Pest
Management system

Integrated Pest Management as a system of pest control is looked at and the parameters of its implementation are discussed.

This project looks at methods of insect control in Danish mills, concentrating on preventive pest control to maintain pest free conditions on site without the use of methyl bromide. Alternative fumigants that might be used in emergency situations are also looked at.
The project investigates the importance of establishing and delegating clear lines of responsibility together with the pursuance of good cleaning and house keeping routines.

Included is a brief description of stored product insects.
Attention is given to the necessity of sound construction and maintenance practices together with good cleaning routines if an IPM system is to succeed.

The following points ought to be considered when implementing an Integrated Pest Management system .

	A comprehensive knowledge of the site
	An assessment of the potential risks
	Preventive proofing and control
	Modification of plant and construction to remove regions of harbourage
	Access to all areas, and detailed full site plans
	Knowledge of the material flow through the site
	Working practices and cleaning routines
	Future plans regarding new products, machinery or building alterations
	Clear lines of communication and responsibility
	Any agreements/contracts between the mill and an outside pest control contractor
	The number and limits of any hygiene inspections
	Communication at all levels of the hierarchy within the mill and with outside contractors
	Training of personnel in pests and stored product insects
	Documentation, the content and filing of all reports concerning Integrated Pest Management
	Quality control
	Testing new methods and assessing existing ones
	Contingency plans in case of an acute infestation

There is no single alternative to methyl bromide in all its uses, though alternatives or a combination of alternatives exist in many cases. Preventive control is the aim and can be accomplished effectively and efficiently through an Integrated Pest Management system tailored to the needs of an individual mill.