The objective was to determine the effect of adding viable and unviable silage inoculant bacteria on binding of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and silage quality. A corn hybrid was harvested at 35% DM, chopped to achieve a theoretical length of 1.9 cm and treated in quadruplicate with deionized water (Con) or 30 µg/kg of AFB₁, or with a mixture of AFB₁ and viable, heated or acid-treated forms (1 × 10⁹ cfu/g) of Lactobacillus plantarum R2014 (Lp), L. buchneri R1102 (Lb), or Pediococcus acidilactici EQ01 (Pa). Each of the inoculants was incubated for 1 h in 30 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.3) at 37°C (viable) or 85°C (heated) or in 30 mL of 0.003 M HCl (pH 2.5) at 37°C (acid-treated) before application. Silages (3 kg) were stored for 21 d in polythene bags. Concentrations of AFB₁ were measured after 0, 24, 48, and 72 h of ensiling and silage samples from d 21 were analyzed for chemical composition, pH, volatile fatty acids and lactate. The experiment had a completely randomized design. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The AFB₁ concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.05) to 0.35 µg/kg or less within 3 d of ensiling across treatments. Bacterial inoculation did not (P > 0.05) increase the AFB₁ reduction. Treatment with AFB₁ reduced (P = 0.03) the CP concentration (8.83 vs. 8.25%) and increased (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentration (0.37 vs. 0.62%) but inoculation prevented (P < 0.05) these effects. Treatment with viable Lp increased (P < 0.05) the acidification of the forage in the first 3 d and the lactic acid concentration on d 21 (1.52 vs. 3.97%). However, inoculation with viable Lb or Pa did not (P > 0.05) affect the chemical composition, suggesting that typical beneficial effects of these bacteria were attenuated by AFB₁. The spiked aflatoxin was reduced to a safe level within 3 d of addition. Inoculation with bacteria did not increase AFB₁ removal but viable Lp prevented the increase in butyric acid and decrease in CP caused by the toxin.