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Canola rarely has an issue with storage insects. Primary stored product insects such as rusty grain beetle, red flour beetle and saw-toothed grain beetle can occasionally be found in stored canola if cereal grain or weed seeds are mixed in with the canola. Mites can carry mold spores that can build up in warm and moist canola, contributing to heating risk. Canola that goes into a clean bin will not usually encounter a problem with stored grain insects.
Remove all leftover grains that may harbour storage insects. A broom and shop vac should do the job. Do not use malathion in bins used for canola.
The “Keep It Clean” message. Canola growers have four quality and trade issues to keep in mind when storing the crop:
1. Never use malathion to prepare canola for storage or to treat bins used to store canola. Its residue can linger for up to six months, so choose your canola storage bin carefully.
2. Make sure your storage bins are free of treated seed (which contains pesticides) and
animal protein like blood meal and bone meal.
3. Clean bins thoroughly prior to storing canola.
4. Keep canola cool and dry to avoid spoilage and insect issues
Visit the Keep It Clean website
Further reading:
Canola Encyclopedia chapter on storage insects
Keep It Clean — Storage and other considerations
