An Urban Eradication of Khapra Beetle in Western Australia

摘要

The khapra beetle （Trogoderma granarium) is one of the most serious pests of stored grain and is a regulated quarantine pest in most countries. In April 2007 khapra beetle larvae and adults were found in a suburban residence and personal effects of a family that had migrated to Perth,Western Australia two weeks earlier. Immediate and uncompromising action was taken through industry and government collaboration to quarantine the home and fumigate with methyl bromide at the internationally agreed khapra beetle rate of 80g/m3. Technical issues are described whereby the two-storey home was shrink-wrapped to ensure that gas concentrations were maintained and monitored for 48 hours. A number of social challenges were encountered dealing with nearby families during the treatment and removing the malodour from the property afterwards. A two-year trapping program was undertaken to validate the complete eradication of the pest.