Why should all grain storage base and sidewall openings be sealed, except when used?
Sealing all base and sidewall openings, including the steel corrugated bin eaves and concrete silo under-roof exterior vent openings serves three basic purposes. 1) Sealed base and sidewalls blocks insect entry into the bottom areas of the grain mass, forcing them to enter through roof vents and openings at the top only, so control by suction aeration cooling is much more positive; 2) Bins and silos with sealed base and sidewalls retain cold air. With open fans and conveyor openings, and unsealed doors, cold air will drain out of stored grain, gradually pulling warm air into the grain, causing premature re-warming of the grain mass, making it much more susceptible to insect invasion and population expansion; 3) Bins and silos which are well sealed, can be adapted to closed loop fumigation (CLF) or recirculation fumigation quickly, with minimal expense. CLF provides very high efficacy (% kill) compared to non-sealed, non-recirculation fumigation.
