What must be done at the first sign of a pest infestation in stored grain?

Implementing a control effort at the first sign of a pest infestation in stored grain is crucial for several reasons. Timely intervention helps prevent a small problem from escalating into a larger, more challenging issue. Pests can reproduce quickly and cause significant damage to grain products, which can lead not only to financial losses but also to food safety concerns if contamination occurs.

Taking immediate action ensures that you can address the infestation effectively, using appropriate methods such as fumigation, sealing entry points, or improving sanitation practices to eliminate food sources. It's important to have a plan in place to monitor and manage pest populations regularly to maintain the integrity of the stored grain.

Other options, such as ignoring the infestation, changing the storage location, or merely increasing the temperature of the storage, are less effective. Ignoring the problem will allow pests to proliferate, and changing the storage location does not guarantee that the new area will be pest-free or prevent future infestations. Increasing the temperature may not effectively control pests and could potentially spoil the grain. Therefore, implementing a control effort addresses the immediate threat and safeguards the grain effectively.