The number of days required for a 10.0 ppm malathion application to degrade to a 3 ppm residue (wheat).

Three things should be very clear from this table: 1.) As temperature increases, the life of the pesticide decreases. 2.) As grain moisture increases, the life of the pesticide decreases. 3.) When both grain temperature and moisture increase together, the life of the pesticide is even more reduced.

This concept is especially important when considering protectants for wheat. Because wheat is binned in the spring, the first months of storage are during the hottest and most humid time of the year. Perhaps more modern insecticides are a bit more stable, but one should realize that protectants alone may not protect your crop. You will have to manage your storage through its complete stay. Start by binning grain that is at 12% or less moisture, in clean dry bins and have an inspection program in place.