The two types of storage bags used in this study were the triple-layer 50 kg PICS bags and single-layer 50 kg woven polypropylene bags. Bags were partially filled with 40 kg of maize, and three satchels of A. flavus-inoculated grain and three satchels of non-inoculated grain were placed in the middle of each bag. The satchels were separated by about 2.5 cm. Each bag also contained a humidity and temperature data logger (Lascar EL-USB-2, MicroDAQ, Contoocook, NH USA), which acquired data at 15-min intervals. Filled bags were placed in 31-gallon (117 L) galvanized, steel cans (68.6 cm H × 52 cm D) (Behrens Manufacturing, Winona, MN USA), which were modified by cutting four ventilation panels (41.9 cm H × 11.4 cm W) equidistant around the sides of the can. The panels were covered with screen (0.64 cm, 23-gauge steel) for rodent protection. Three replicates of the storage containers were placed at two locations and observed from June through September of 2015: the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA) and the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station (Marianna, AR, USA). At each location, two additional data loggers were placed outside of the bags but within the storage cans to record external humidity and temperature.