Cost

Absorbacide® treatment at a rate of 1kg/tonne through the conveyor, costs no more than chemical insecticide treatments. As a structural treatment, considerable cost savings are achieved. With a dust application rate of 2g/m 2 the treatment cost is only about 8% of that of chemical sprays. When sprayed on as a water based slurry at 6g/m 2 (dry basis), the cost is still less than half the cost of chemicals.

Conveyor Application

Long-term protection is achieved by treatment of grain at a rate of 1kg Absorbacide® per tonne. Any powder-dosing appliance can be used. The dust is added into a moving stream of grain at a steady rate to ensure an even distribution. Typical dosing points are auger hoppers, belt conveyors and bucket elevators. Aeration of the treated grain should start immediately if the grain is still warm or has a moisture content too high for long term storage. Absorbacide® requires an air stream to move it onto surfaces and into crevices.

Dusting

For economy and efficiency it is recommended that bellow type dusters are used, however any garden duster can be used. When applying to large open grain stores, food warehouses or grain handling machinery, venturi blowers, such as the Blovac BV22 unit provide the best solution.

These compressed air powered units can also be used to blow, or vacuum away grain debris from equipment and grain stores prior to treatment. Two-stroke backpack dusters can also be employed. In order to achieve an even coating on vertical surfaces, dust should be blown through top hatches of vertical silos. If the silo is fitted with an aeration fan, pour pre-weighed quantity of dust into the fan suction. For horizontal storage areas and warehouses, apply from top to bottom, starting with roof structures. The operator should wear a disposable dust mask.

Water Slurry

This novel method of application has received a high level of acceptance in the grain industry due to its cleanliness, speed of treatment, and excellent control of application rates.

Snow Cap Treatment

 Absorbacide® dust coatings of 100g/m2 on the surfaces of bulk-stored grain have proven to be an important factor in controlled fumigation systems. The dust coating not only provides a barrier to insect infestation; it also maintains higher fumigant concentrations in the critical surface layer of the grain. The small amount of Absorbacide® required adds little to the cost of the fumigation.

Constraints on Product Use

 As the insecticidal activity of Absorbacide® lies in its drying properties, very high humidities reduce its effectiveness. It is not significant when the periods of high humidities are seasonal, e.g. a wet winter season, however, if high ambient humidities (70% or more) prevail throughout the year Absorbacide® should be tested in that situation prior to regular use. For the same reason, treatment of damp food commodities should be voided. Recommended moisture contents for long-term storage protection are:

  • Wheat, Barley and Oats 13% or below

  • Sorghum, paddy rice and corn 14% or below

These moisture levels would normally be attained after routine aeration drying after harvesting and storage. Treatment of grain using desiccant dust insecticides such as Absorbacide®, affects the physical properties of the grain. Flow rates are reduced and the angle of repose is increased. For this reason Absorbacide® use may not be appropriate where treated grain is delivered to bulk handling facilities which meter grain flow rate long a delivery chute. This does not apply where Absorbacide® has been used as a snow cap.