Grain silos (wheat, corn, soybeans) can develop infestations of weevils, mealworms, food moths and rodents. An untreated infestation destroys the commercial grade of lots and can be a reason for rejection by industrial buyers or exporters.
Nova Extermination offers this service with technicians holding the Restricted Application Permit (RAP) issued by Health Canada, in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. License RBQ 5734 75930 01. Service offered on the South Shore of Montreal and beyond as needed.
Who is this service for?
Producers and cooperatives. Agricultural producers with personal silos, grain cooperatives, grain elevator operators, food processors.
If you are unsure about the relevance of this service for your situation, contact us at 514 666 6682 for a telephone consultation. We assess in a few minutes whether fumigation is the right option or whether another service from our catalogue (e.g. insect treatment or pest prevention) would be more suitable.
Applicable regulatory framework
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada standards, requirements of large purchasers (Bunge, Cargill, Viterra), compliance with residue limits for food and feed.
All of our fumigation technicians hold the Restricted Application Permit (RAP) issued by Health Canada, recertified every 5 years. We keep complete documentation of each intervention (gas batches, measurement probes, certificates) accessible for audit for five years.
How the treatment is carried out step by step
Temporary sealing of silo openings, injection of aluminum phosphide pellets in controlled distribution, monitoring by multi-point gas sensors, forced ventilation and measurement of residues before remarketing
Total duration: exposure 5 to 7 days depending on the temperature of the grain and the size of the silo.
Before the operation
- Due diligence of the site, measurement of the volume to be treated
- Safety plan and coordination with the authorities in urban areas
- Notification of affected occupants or neighbours
- Written estimate with proposed gas, exposure time and reoccupation time
During the intervention
- Tight sealing of the volume to be treated
- Controlled injection with continuous measuring probes
- Perimeter monitoring to detect leaks
- Monitoring of concentrations at intervals defined according to the gas used
After the intervention
- Forced ventilation until safe concentrations are returned
- Residue measurement with calibrated instrument
- Certificate issued and delivered in person or by secure email
Underwriting and Inspection
The quote for this service depends on the exact volume, the gas chosen, the time limit imposed and the documentation required by your buyer or authority.
Here are the service variants we offer for this need:
- Farm silo 100 to 500 tons
- Cooperative silo 500 to 2,000 tons
- Industrial silo 2,000+ tons
- Residual Inspection and Certification
What influences the quote
- Surface or volume to be treated
- Extent of the infestation or situation
- Accessibility of the areas concerned
- Response time requested (planned or emergency)
- Scope of the desired warranty
- Documentation required for insurer, notary or audit
The inspection is non-binding. We evaluate on site (or by phone as the case may be) and give you a written estimate adapted to your building before any work begins. No unpleasant surprises at the end.
Documents and certificates issued
Silo fumigation certificate, certificate of residues under threshold, documentation in accordance with buyers’ audits. All our certificates are:
- Numbered and signed by PAR certified technician
- Archived 5 years for customs traceability or dispute
- Compliant with ISPM 15 requirements for exports
- Accepted by major customs agencies (CBSA, US Customs, EU)
- Downloadable on request via secure link for quick transmission to the buyer
Additional services possible
Depending on your operation, other services can complement it:
For an overview, check out our main fumigation services page.
Questions
How long does it take to plan this fumigation?
For urgent cases (imminent export, confirmed active infestation), 48 to 72 hours. For recurring contracts (seasonal silos, planned batches), year-round planning.
Are there chemical residues in the goods after processing?
No, after ventilation and residue measurement, the goods are certified below the regulatory thresholds (0.1 ppm for phosphine in food grains, for example). The certificate documents this measurement.
What gas do you use and why?
Phosphine as standard, methyl bromide for some demanding countries. The choice depends on the goods, the destination country and the available time. We validate with you before intervention.
Is the certificate valid for my customs export?
Yes, our certificates meet ISPM 15 requirements and are accepted by major customs agencies and international buyers. If your buyer has specific requirements, please let us know: we will adapt the documentation.
How do I get a quote for this intervention?
Inspection after a brief preliminary audit of the volume to be processed and the documentary requirements (export, buyer, authority). The estimate is written, detailed and fixed before any work begins.
What are the risks for my employees or for the neighbourhood?
The safety protocol eliminates risks when followed: watertight containment, monitoring probes, controlled ventilation, measurement of residues before reoccupation. For urban areas, coordination with local authorities and notification of neighbours.
Contact Nova Extermination
Inspection within 24 hours, quick intervention. Intervention the next day. Coverage assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the condition of the building. Call 514 666 6682 or fill out the contact form for agricultural silo fumigation.
Nova Extermination, RBQ license 5734 75930 01. Service 7 days a week, including public holidays. Health Canada Licensed Products.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fumigation of Agricultural Silos
How does the fumigation of an agricultural silo work?
Elevator fumigation treats stored grain by diffusing a registered fumigant that penetrates the grain mass to eliminate insect pests at all stages. Nova Extermination seals the silo, controls the exposure according to the product’s technical sheet, and then ensures ventilation before any handling. This service serves farms in the Montérégie region, particularly around Saint-Hyacinthe and Sainte-Julie.
Does fumigation preserve grain quality and safety?
Yes, when it is carried out by certified technicians who respect the approved rates and the deadlines before recirculating the grains. The fumigant eliminates insects without leaving any residue when aeration is completed according to protocol. Nova Extermination documents the intervention to support your traceability and marketing requirements.
What grain insects can be eliminated with silo fumigation?
It targets weevils, silvains, beetles and other insects that infest wheat, corn, barley and other stored grains. The fumigant reaches the larvae and eggs buried in the mass, where surface treatments are ineffective. Our technicians identify the infestation before selecting the appropriate registered product.
What safety precautions are involved in fumigating a silo?
The intervention requires complete access security, signage, prohibition of entry during exposure and controlled ventilation before any resumption of work. Nova Extermination applies CNESST protocols and verifies residual concentrations before declaring the silo safe. Our certified technicians oversee every step of the way to protect farm workers.
What is the cost of a farm silo fumigation?
The price is based on an assessment, depending on the extent of the situation, the capacity of the elevator, the type of grain and the level of infestation. Nova Extermination evaluates your farm in Montérégie before presenting you with a suitable proposal. This professional paid service is carried out by RBQ and CNESST certified technicians.
Can you guarantee completely insect-free grains after processing?
We use recognized approved processes, but the results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on the humidity, temperature and condition of the silo. Nova Extermination recommends a control of storage conditions and monitoring rather than a total guarantee, which is impossible to ensure on stored live grains. Reinfestation by incoming grain or a poorly ventilated silo remains a risk to be managed.