Abstract

Insect infestation plays a pivotal role in the deterioration of stored products. Considerable physical and nutritional loss sustained is due to infestation of stored food products by several insect pests. Apart from the detrimental economic impact, these losses pose a major threat to food security. Various ecofriendly tactics can affect insects and other storage pests in various ways by exhibiting pest control activities as toxicants, attractants, repellents, antifeedants and growth regulators; they are also effective as antimicrobials and antifungals. Chemical insecticides are extensively used in grain storage facilities to control stored-product insect pests. Before the invention of these synthetic insecticides, there were several of non chemical methods used in grain stores and food processing facilities. Today, there is an increased interest in these methods, because of the development of resistance to synthetic insecticides, the concerns about worker safety and the demands by consumers for finished products free of insecticide residues. The goal of non- chemical control is to render the habitat unsuitable for the growth and reproduction of stored-product insects. In this chapter, we have focussed on the following approaches: inert dust, biological control, microbial control, pheromone lures, Insect growth regulators etc.