Of twenty inert materials tested, eight gave protection to cowpea seeds in storage, from the cowpea weevil Ca1losobruchus ch i nensis (L) foe up to three months. Red mud, black pepper and paddy husk ash prevented infestation even at a low dosage of 6,7g dust/kg seed. Dosages of 13.4g dust/kg seed and 19.lg dust/kg seed also gave complete protection. Pork fat and coconut oil prevented infestation at 4.2m] oil/kg seed, but failed to do so at dosages of 1,4ml oil/kg seed and 2.8ml oil/kg seed.