The use of groundnut oil and steam treatment were compared with pirimiphos‐methyl treatment for control ofCallosobruchus maculatus(Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored cowpea grain in The Gambia, West Africa. One susceptible and two bruchid‐resistant varieties were compared under the different treatments. Steaming the cowpeas offered no permanent protection although it may be an effective sanitation technique. When used in conjunction with a bruchid‐resistant variety, groundnut oil appears nearly as effective as pirimiphos‐methyl applied to a local, non‐resistant variety and the combination could offer a simple, effective method for protection of cowpea grain in similar regions.