K-Obiol – The Proven Solution for Protecting Grain
Grain is the backbone of global food security, feeding populations, driving economies, and sustaining agricultural markets. But once harvested, stored grain becomes highly vulnerable to insect pests, with infestations causing devastating losses to food supplies, farmer livelihoods, and economic stability. Without effective protection, insects can compromise grain quality, reduce its market value, and undermine food security on a global scale.
“Pests not only cause direct damage to grain, but their presence also leads to the formation of aflatoxins, mould, spoilage, and health issues due to the faeces and skin shedding the insects leave behind,” explains Kerem Çelik, Envu’s Technical Services Manager Turkey & GCC.
“According to the FAO, post-harvest pest-related losses worldwide average around 20%. If we consider this in terms of global food stocks, the impact on just corn and wheat alone can exceed 400 million metric tons. When viewed economically, this figure presents a much more serious problem,” cites Kerem.
Maintaining the value of precious grain means making smart decisions well before harvests are due to be stored. Empty silos can harbour persistent pests from previous seasons in cracks and crevices that will re-infest incoming grain. While timely hygiene practices before grain arrives are vital, these actions alone will be insufficient in isolation.
Effective pest control relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). A well-planned IPM strategy incorporates good hygiene, regular monitoring, and targeted chemical treatments, using products like K-Obiol for optimal protection and long-lasting results.
K-Obiol - The smart choice for protecting grain
Scientifically proven to be highly effective, K-Obiol is the grain protection product of choice. Available in two formulations, to treat both grain and the fabric of buildings, it gives long-lasting control, as Kerem describes.
“K-Obiol has been on the market for many years and still provides safe and successful results today. Its greatest strength is the quality of its formulation that comes from Envu’s expertise from over 50 years of experience in environmental health.
“The preventative and curative properties of K-Obiol are due to its unique formulation and active ingredient (AI), deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid that can be safely used in both public health and agricultural fields. Utilising it in K-Obiol means we can use the lowest lethal dose possible, compared to other AIs in the same group.”
With Envu’s expertise and continued investment in innovation, the tried-and-tested K-Obiol formulation offers an easy-to-use product with consistent efficacy, that delivers reliable performance against all stored grain pests. “The high purity of the active substance and the improved stability of the formulation, ensures the product remains effective, even in the most challenging storage or application environments,” adds Kerem.
High efficacy with a low MRL
Alongside performance, the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) of an AI is also an important consideration when choosing products for grain store pest control. Kerem explains how the low residual levels left by K-Obiol make it the smart choice for protecting grain.
“Deltamethrin provides long-lasting protection on the surface of grains after application. Due to its high efficacy at low doses, it offers effective pest control while remaining below MRL limits, and does not pose any residue risk in the final product, as it’s not absorbed into the grain's husk.
“When applied according to the recommended doses and guidelines, deltamethrin residues are minimal and well within the safe range. Even when K-Obiol is applied in high doses (2 litres for 100 tonnes of grain), it’s still under the MRL limits. The MRL is 1mg/kg for wheat; and even with a high dose of K-Obiol, residue levels are only 0.5 mg/kg,” Kerem assures.
“Remember also, residues in the final products made from grain will fall even further, to almost zero. For example, wheat used for flour and bread goes through many cleaning and milling processes. At each stage, residue levels decrease; and even after a high dose K-Obiol application, the deltamethrin residue will be reduced to 0.02 mg/kg the flour, and 0.01 mg/kg in bread.”
Are fumigants the right option?
Fumigation is an alternative option for achieving quick pest control in grain stores, but as Kerem explains, it may not be the safest or the most enduring choice.
“While fumigants provide highly effective results in killing pests, they cannot offer protection against potential infestations after application,” he says. “On the other hand, K-Obiol demonstrates high efficacy against adult pests and at the correct doses, provides protection for up to 12 months after application, while keeping MRL values below specified limits.
“In contrast, fumigants and semi-fumigant AIs, like pirimiphos-methyl, can pose structural risks, like potential damage to electronic devices and copper wires. Fumigants, or fumigant waste dust, also presents an explosion and fire risk, when it comes into contact with water. Using K-Obiol, with deltamethrin, provides a safer and more applicator-friendly solution without these risks,” Kerem highlights.
Reliable control in a changing world
Stored grain pest control is evolving; driven by emerging challenges like climate change; with rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns influencing pest populations, leading to faster reproduction rates, expanded geographical ranges, and increased resistance to conventional controls.
Advances in precision pest management, and climate-resilient formulations will play a key role in adapting to our changing world.
IPM will become even more critical, combining data-driven monitoring, targeted treatments, and sustainable practices to minimise grain losses while reducing environmental impact.
As a result, it’s the most innovative solutions that will continue to lead the way; with sustained research and development (R&D), and the data driven evolution of products, becoming essential drivers for effective grain protection solutions, as Kerem concludes:
“Future challenges for grain storage include loss of active substances, pest resistance, climate change affecting storage conditions, increasing food security demands, the need for sustainable practices, and adhering to evolving regulatory compliance to ensure effective pest control and safe residue levels.
“At Envu, we’re focused on promoting IPM to make pest control more sustainable. Our technical field teams stay in constant communication with users, providing continuous support through pre-sale and post-sale training and field assistance, ensuring the process is well-monitored. Meanwhile, our R&D teams at research centres continue to work on innovative solutions and sustainable pest control methods, addressing future grain storage challenges for all our customers.”
As the pest control landscape continues to change, Envu’s experts around the world are continually adapting and re-testing our products, ensuring solutions like K-Obiol continue to be the gold standard for protection.
