ISO 16002:2004

Overview

ISO 16002:2004 provides guidance on the detection of live invertebrate infestation in stored cereal grains and pulses by means of trapping. The standard covers trapping methods for grain stored in bulk (bins, silos, floor stores) and sack stores, describes trap selection and placement, and explains recording and interpretation of findings. It also warns about operator safety when accessing grain surfaces and highlights environmental factors (temperature, humidity) that affect trap performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and principle: Detect live insects and mites by physical entrapment, food-based attractants, or pheromone lures; trapping relies on pest activity and local conditions.
• Trap types: Examples include probe-type traps, open and covered pitfall traps, baited mesh bag traps, baited refuge-type mite traps, pheromone-baited flying-insect traps, and unbaited “blunder” traps. Annexes B–C provide representative trap examples and illustrations.
• Placement guidance:
  • Probe traps: typically used in pairs (upper 10–30 cm and a deeper placement up to ~200 cm).
  • Covered combination pitfall/probe: upper at grain level and lower ~20–30 cm depth.
  • Mesh-bag baits: placed on grain surface or in store structure (avoid where rodent activity is high).
• Mite monitoring: Use baited refuge traps or mesh bags; lures lose attractiveness as moisture declines-replacement often every 7–10 days depending on climate.
• Recordkeeping and interpretation: Secure traps to marker canes or store structure, map trap positions, document counts and species for decision-making and post-treatment monitoring.
• Environmental and safety considerations: Results vary with temperature (cold/hot extremes), storage hygiene, tonnage, and access; safety procedures are required for silo entry.

Practical applications

ISO 16002 is used for:

• Early detection of storage pests to protect grain quality, value and safety
• Collecting specimens for identification and to inform remedial treatments
• Monitoring pest populations before and after control measures to assess effectiveness
• Supporting phytosanitary and commercial quality decisions (e.g., acceptance/rejection)

Typical use cases: routine surveillance in grain elevators, silo farms, warehouses, food processing receiving areas, and during storage audits.

Who should use this standard

• Grain storage managers and operators
• Pest control professionals and entomologists
• Food safety and quality assurance teams
• Agricultural inspectors and phytosanitary authorities
• Commodity traders and logistics providers

Related standards

• ISO 13690 (sampling of cereal grains and pulses - note: not intended for infestation detection)
• ISO 6639 (detection of hidden infestation)
• ISO 6322-2 (relevant hygiene and storage considerations)

Keywords: ISO 16002:2004, stored cereal grains, pulses, trapping, grain pests, mites, beetles, moths, pheromone traps, bulk storage, sack stores, infestation detection.