Dry grain mites – a pest

Dry grain mites are small but extremely dangerous pests lurking in the shadows of warehouses and pantries. For the uninformed, they are only a minor nuisance, but for experienced warehouse workers, they are a serious threat to both the quality of stored cereals and seeds and the health of those working with them. The article you are about to read is a compendium of knowledge about the grain mite – its life cycle, methods of propagation and impact on stored products. You will learn about effective preventive methods that will help you ensure safe and hygienic conditions in the warehouse.

Propagation of the grain mite

The dust mite, one of the most problematic warehouse pests, has the ability to spread rapidly in food storage areas. Its small size, characteristic of all species in this group, allows it to move easily in the nooks and crannies of warehouses. The key factor for the occurrence and development of the grain mite is the presence of suitable climatic conditions: moderate temperature and high humidity. Warehouses that are not properly ventilated or that are excessively humid become an ideal environment for these pests.

Typical places where the red flour beetle can occur and spread are grain and seed storage facilities and drying plants for vegetable products. Uncontrolled accumulation of organic residues, lack of regular cleaning or inadequate warehouse design also favour the infestation of these troublesome pests. To minimise the risk of an infestation, it is essential to maintain high hygiene standards and to regularly monitor the conditions in the storage areas. Only in this way can the risk of a dry rot infestation be effectively minimised.

Damage caused by dry rot

The damage caused by this little intruder in storage facilities can be significant, and the consequences of its infestation are felt on many levels. By feeding on cereals and seeds, the grain mite leads to a reduction in their nutritional value, ageing and contamination. The resulting reduction in product quality leads to financial losses. The presence of the grain mite also contributes to health problems among warehouse workers, particularly affecting people with allergies and respiratory diseases.

On a large and small scale, dust mites cause numerous damages in warehouses, including:

• loss of value of goods due to physical damage and contamination of products,
• the need for increased expenditure on quality control and the use of protective measures,
• risks to human health, especially in the form of allergic reactions and asthma,
• Decreased work efficiency due to the need for more frequent cleaning and securing of storage areas.

Prevention and control of the dust mite

Above all, it is essential to maintain a high standard of hygiene – regular cleaning and removal of organic residues limit the pest’s ability to thrive. Controlling the warehouse climate is an effective solution: regular ventilation and low humidity are the basis for prevention. Monitoring humidity and temperature with the help of suitable devices allows for a quick reaction to unfavourable environmental changes that favour the occurrence of dust mites.

Integrated pest management methods, which combine mechanical, chemical and physical approaches, are effective in combating pests such as dust mites. Sealing cracks where mites can hide and using industrial vacuum cleaners can reduce their numbers. Chemical measures include the use of biodegradable insecticides that do not negatively affect the quality of stored products. It is also worth remembering to have the warehouse inspected frequently by specialists, which allows for quick identification of the problem and implementation of appropriate measures.