Study on the physical properties and pest control effect of a new type of insect-resistant packaging material for stored grain

To ascertain the physical properties and pest control effects of a novel insect-proof packaging material for grain storage produced through pilot-scale manufacturing at a factory, measurements of the physical properties of the packaging material were conducted according to the relevant testing methods. Eight species of adults stored-product pest insects and three species of their larvae were selected as subjects to verify the insect-proof effectiveness of the novel packaging material. Futhermore, application simulations were carried out using two methods: insect-proof covers and insect-proof packaging bags. The results indicated that the compressive strength, tear strength, puncture resistance, and drop performance of the films were unaffected before and after the addition of pestcides. Only the tensile strength decreased, and friction coefficient reduced. Both ordinary and improved films could prevent pest infestation, with significant differences in insect-proof effectiveness observed. No test insects penetrated any type of packaging material within the 9-day testing period. On ordinary films, the survival rate of adult worms dropped to 0% after 9 days, whereas on improved films, the survival rate of adult worms dropped to 0% after 3 days. After 90 days of storage, obvious pest infestation was observed inside packages with ordinary films, whereas no trace of pests were found inside packaging material with good resistance to pest invasion, offering an insect-proof effectiveness of approximately 3 months.