Safe food storage 305
Safe Food Storage
One of the tragedies in communities that produce food is that much of the food
goes bad because of weather, pests, or other causes. Safe food storage is as
important as the ability to grow food in the first place.
Protect stored grains from pests
After harvest, much grain is lost to rodents, insect pests, or rot. To protect
grains in storage:
• Dry and store the grains as soon after harvest as possible to avoid loss
in the fields. Well-dried grains should be soft enough to break with your
teeth and dry enough that they make a good cracking noise.
• Store dried grains in well-sealed, clean containers in a place protected
from moisture and pests.
• Smoke the grain before it is stored to kill pests.
• Repel insects, but not rodents, with wood ash and plants such as hot
chilies, eucalyptus, and other strong smelling plants. (If grain is already
infected with pests, the protection will not work.) Dry the eucalyptus
leaf, chili seeds, or other plant and grind it to a powder. Mix 1 handful of
the powder with each kilo of grain or beans to keep insects out.
Be careful not to breathe in the powder. More time and effort are needed
to wash the grains before eating, but there will be more grain to eat.
Rodents stay away from open spaces.
Clear the area of weeds and other
cover. Rodents are attracted to food
waste and protected, dark areas
where they can nest. Remove
these from the area.
Rodents can leap. Keep
grain storage containers
high off the ground.
Rodents are scared
of dogs and cats, so
keep these animals
in the area.
Rodents can squeeze
through very small holes.
Keep storage containers
well sealed and repair any
holes quickly.
Rodents can climb.
Clear away anything
touching the storage
container and put
collars around its legs.
Collars
Grain storage containers keep out rodents such as rats, mice, and squirrels.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012