The effect of methyl bromide on humans and other mammals appears to vary according to the intensity of exposure. At concentrations not immediately fatal, this chemical produces neurological symptoms. High concentrations may bring about death through pulmonary injury and associated circulatory failure. The onset of toxic symptoms is delayed, and the latent period may vary between 0.5 to 48 hours, according to the intensity of the exposure and the personal reaction of the patient (von Oettingen, 1955). Contact of the human skin with the liquid or strong concentrations of the gas may cause severe local blistering (Watrous, 1942).
Against insects, methyl bromide appears to exert its principal toxic effect on the nervous system. As in humans, the onset of poisoning symptoms may be delayed, and with many species of insects definite conclusions as to the success of the treatment should be delayed for at least 24 hours. The comparative toxicity of this fumigant to some stored-product insects is given in Chapter 14, Table 16, and has recently been discussed by Hole (1981).
Richardson and Roth (1965) had some success with this compound against snails in military cargoes (see Schedule T). Methyl bromide is also effective against mites (Acarina). For grain mites, see Barker (1967a,b), and for cheese mites Burkholder (1966). In the treatments in which living plants and flower bulbs are tolerant, the eggs of mites may be resistant and repetition of fumigation may be necessary (see Schedules F and N).
I try fungi entomopathogen. Has anyone another openion about that?
in Indian storage system Celphos is widely used in warehouses which containing phosphine gas to control storage pests
Here some alternative control methods against Ectomyelois ceratoniae that we are working on in Tunisia on stored dates. Good luck.
Methyl bromide is being phased out rather because of its harmful impact on people and the environment.
Dear Dr latifian
you have Valuable experience and research about this subject, if it is possible please announced final achievement
The sulfuryl fluoride product ProFume Is registered for use on dried dates. "Sulfuryl fluoride disrupts the glycolosis and citric acid cycles within cells throughout the insect body, thereby depriving insects of the necessary energy for survival." Methyl bromide kills by methylating enzyme proteins, denaturing them causing enzymatic failure. It is a systemic poison , not just a neurotoxin.
The analysis of trials results of disinsectisation by hot air on many desert date lots of Deglet Nour variety showed the following conclusions:
1. The warm-up of a desert date lot made up of fruits with different levels of moisture is in a homogeneous way.
2. Contrary to the microwave, heat treatment by hot air assured the total disinsectisation of heterogeneous desert date lots made up of fruits with different moisture content.
3. The total disinsectisation of: (i) lots of soft desert dates, (ii) lots of dry desert dates and (iii) lots of heterogeneous desert dates, infested artificially through the different stages of development of desert date moths is achieved when the fruits are stored at 55 or 60 degrees for 10 minutes.
4. Industrial treatment of heterogeneous desert date lots (each weighing 600 kg) revealed that the evolution of the temperature of the fruits treated at 65 ° C for 3 hours is uniformly and the temperature of desert dates can reach 55 to 60 ° C at the end of the treatment.
5. Quality analyses revealed that the heat treatment of heterogeneous desert date lots at 55 and 60 ° C doesn't have a significant effect on the various parameters of quality of fruit (weight, color, pH, water content and the rate of sugar between desert dates treated and desert dates untreated by hot air).
Chermiti's method sounds good. We have used heat treatments to control both drywood termites and bed bugs. We have to burn a lot of propane to reach 70 C throughout the structure and hold it for 1-3 hours. Can you use passive solar heat to dry the dates? Can you use the greenhouse effect to increase the temperature without trapping the moisture?
in my view application of aluminium phosphide fumigation is best treatment as it is safe and easy to apply without any side effects.
Dry leaf of Neem or neem cake or dry leaf of Bael can be used for fumigation specially in humid season may control the storage pest. this can be use at domestic scale at weekly interval that is environmentally safe also
dry neem leaf is not fumigant, it can only be repellent for pests but it is not a curative treatment hence in my view not a replacement for MBR
Freezing (0 degrees F, -18 degrees C) disinfests dates in 48 h and not only improves texture and flavor, but also accelerates ripening.
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