EFFICACY OF HYDROGEN CYANIDE FUMIGATION AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM AT A WHEAT MILL IN GORJ ROMANIA

The phase-out of methyl bromide and the growing resistance of stored-product pests to phosphine have intensified the need for alternative fumigants in structural pest control.This study investigates the efficacy of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as a viable alternative, with a specific focus on its application in a wheat mill located in Gorj County, Romania.The primary objective is to assess the performance of HCN fumigation against Tribolium confusum, a major pest species in stored grain environments, across all life stages.Current literature identifies HCN as a promising, fast-acting fumigant, yet field data under real-world mill conditions remain limited.This research addresses that gap through an in-situ application, incorporating gas monitoring, environmental analysis, and mortality assessment.Materials and methods include the use of calibrated detection equipment, sealing assessments, and post-fumigation inspection to validate outcomes.Results showed 100% mortality of larval and adult stages despite challenges such as wind interference and partial structural leakage, highlighting both the efficacy and sensitivity of HCN performance to environmental and infrastructural variables.The novelty of this study lies in its field-scale application in Eastern Europe, offering rare data under operational conditions.Limitations include localized environmental variables and the need for follow-up on residual stages.The findings support HCN's relevance as a potent alternative to conventional fumigants, with significant implications for pest management protocols in grain-processing facilities.