Storgard

Learn about stored product insect pests (SIPs), their impact on food products leading to losses and pheromone traps for monitoring them in India. The Importance of Monitoring and Control of Stored-product Insect Pests Stored-product insect pests (SIPs) can cause significant damage to food and grain supplies, leading to economic losses and posing health risks to consumers. Stored product insect pests can infest a wide range of processed dried food products, including grains, seeds, nuts, dried fruits, spices, chocolate, flour, pasta, pet food, cheese, dried meat, non-milk dairy powder, tea, dried herbs, and snacks. Dried food products susceptible to SIP infestation: Other processed foods: The Impact of SIPs SIPs cause a variety of problems, including: Monitoring SIPs Regular monitoring of stored products is essential for early detection of their infestation. Monitoring allows for timely intervention and control measures to prevent further damage and product contamination of processed food. Pheromone Traps: An Effective SIP Monitoring Tool Pheromone traps are a highly effective tool for monitoring SIPs. SIP pheromone traps utilise pheromones, natural chemicals released by insects to attract mates or members of the same species, to lure and capture insects. Pheromone traps provide several advantages for monitoring stored product insect pests: Pheromone Trap Placement and Monitoring Pheromone traps should be placed strategically throughout storage areas, including warehouses, silos, and food processing facilities. If there is a suspicion that SIPs are present in other areas, pheromone traps can be used in the processing areas. The number and placement of pheromone traps depend on the size and layout of the storage area, the type of products stored, and the known or suspected insect pest species. Regular monitoring of pheromone traps is crucial for effective SIP management. Pheromone traps should be checked and emptied frequently to assess target SIP activity levels. Pheromone trap count data can be used to track pest populations and determine the need for control measures like cleaning, heat treatment, fumigation, and removal of infested products. Tips for Preventing SIP Infestations Conclusion Monitoring stored product insect pests using pheromone traps is essential for preventing food losses, protecting consumer health, and maintaining the reputation of food businesses. By implementing effective pheromone monitoring programs, food businesses can minimise the impact of SIPs and ensure the safety and quality of their food products. Recognising the need for SIP pheromone traps in India, Giridhar Pai Associates LLP (GPAL) has begun their distribution in 2024.  GPAL is happy to announce the availability of the Storgard range of insect monitoring systems manufactured by Trece, Inc., of the United States of America. GPAL is also making the Fuji Flavors Ltd Ecomone range of pheromone traps available. The Serrico trap is the world’s first and best cigarette beetle pheromone trap. GPAL is confident that with the availability of the Storgard and Ecomone ranges of SIP pheromone traps in India, the Indian food industry has effective SIP monitoring tools.