At some point in your adult life, you’ll likely face a pantry weevil infestation. While these bugs can hide in any dark and moist area of your home, the most visible area is in the kitchen. Even the cleanest of kitchens are susceptible to an invasion by these annoying pests, and once your pantry has been infested by weevils, it’s very difficult to fully get rid of them. If you suspect your pantry has been infested, or just want to take preventative measures, continue reading to learn how to get rid of weevils in your pantry.
Finding bugs in your flour or rice can be an unpleasant surprise. However, it’s actually quite common for pantry staples like flour, rice, pasta, oats, and other grains to become infested with tiny insect pests.
In this article we’ll cover the most common bugs found in flour and rice where they come from, the risks of eating infested foods, and most importantly, how to prevent flour and rice bugs from invading your pantry.
The Most Common Bugs in Flour and Rice
There are a variety of insect species that can infest stored grains and flours including
1. Indian Meal Moth
The Indian meal moth is one of the most common flour and grain pests. The adult moths lay eggs in flour or grain products, and the larvae hatch and feed on the food, contaminating it with webbing and frass (bug poop). They can chew through packaging to infest new food sources.
2. Sawtoothed Grain Beetle
These tiny reddish-brown beetles are a common pest in whole grains and cereals. They can produce large populations rapidly.
3. Warehouse Beetle
Commonly found in whole grain flours and cereals. They are small black beetles about 1/8 inch long.
4. Confused Flour Beetle
A pest of processed grain products like flour and cereal. They are red-brown in color and about 1/8 inch long.
5. Rice Weevil
A major stored grain pest that bores inside and damages whole grains like rice, wheat, corn, etc. Identifiable by the 4 reddish spots on their back.
6. Granary Weevil
Closely related to the rice weevil, these pests infest whole grains. They are a bit smaller than rice weevils.
7. Maize Weevil
A tropical species that is a major pest of corn and other grains in warm climates. They are dark blackish-brown.
8. Merchant Grain Beetle
These pests feed on broken grain kernels and processed products like flour, cereal, pasta, etc. They have flattened, oval-shaped bodies about 1/25 inch long.
9. Red Flour Beetle
Despite its name, this beetle feeds on many grains, cereals, flours, and meals. They are reddish-brown and around 1/8 inch long.
10. Drugstore Beetle
A pest of processed grain products that bores into packaging. They have a cylindrical shape and brown and white speckled pattern.
11. Cigarette Beetle
Closely related to the drugstore beetle. A major pest of tobacco, spices, cereals, and many other dried foods. Very small at just 1/16 inch long.
12. Khapra Beetle
An invasive pest originating from India. Considered one of the most destructive pests of grain and seed products globally.
13. Flour Mites
Microscopic flour mites feed on grains and flours, especially under warm, humid conditions. They contaminate food with feces and shed skins.
14. Grain Weevils
Various species of weevils in the genus Sitophilus attack stored grains, including rice weevils, granary weevils, and maize weevils.
15. Angoumois Grain Moth
Primarily a pest of corn and other grains, where the larvae bore into and damage the kernel. Adults do not feed.
16. Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are occasional pests of grain and cereal products. They get their name from their long spindly legs.
17. Psocids/Booklice
Tiny soft-bodied psocids feed on mold and fungi but can sometimes directly damage stored grain and flour products.
Where Do Bugs in Flour and Rice Come From?
Grain and flour pests can infest products in a variety of ways:
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Infested foods may be purchased unknowingly from the grocery store. Many eggs and larvae can survive processing and packaging.
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Adult insects may fly or crawl into packaging and lay eggs. Some can chew through cardboard and plastic.
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Nearby infested items in the pantry, like pet food, bird seed, or spices can be a source.
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Improperly stored flour and grains can become infested from populations outdoors.
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Sanitation issues allow populations to grow and spread to clean packages.
Is it Safe to Eat Foods with Bugs?
Finding live or dead bugs in flour or rice is revolting but generally not dangerous if consumed in small amounts. However, foods infested with bugs or their larvae should be discarded, as it is:
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Unsanitary – Bugs and their eggs contaminate food with feces, shed skins, silk webbing, and possible pathogens.
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Unpalatable – Bugs impart unpleasant flavors and textures. Heavily infested foods become inedible.
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Potentially unsafe – Eating large quantities of insect-damaged foods may cause allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, or other health issues in sensitive individuals.
So while a few bugs won’t harm most people, it’s advisable not to consume bug-infested foods. Discard any flours, grains, or products that show signs of an active insect infestation.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Flour and Rice
If you discover pantry pests in your flour, rice, or other grains:
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Discard all infested foods in sealed bags. Clean the area thoroughly. This removes the population source.
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Inspect other foods in the area for signs of infestation. Discard anything questionable.
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Clean shelves and storage areas thoroughly by vacuuming and washing with vinegar or diluted bleach. This removes eggs and larvae.
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Stop bugs from spreading by storing uninfested foods in airtight containers or bags. Place new foods away from previous infestation sites.
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Use pheromone traps to monitor and catch any lingering adults. Traps use chemical lures to attract and trap certain pest species.
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Consider professional pest control if the infestation persists despite best efforts. Fumigation may be required to fully eliminate a major flour bug problem.
11 Tips to Keep Bugs Out of Flour and Rice
Preventing pantry pests requires diligence, but these strategies can help keep your grains and flours bug-free:
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Inspect packages before buying and avoid purchasing damaged goods.
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Discard old products and restock fresh flour, rice, oats, etc. every 3-6 months.
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Keep dry foods in airtight containers rather than original packaging.
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Refrigerate or freeze flour and grains for long-term storage.
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Clean shelves, containers, and storage areas regularly. Vacuum cracks and crevices.
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Avoid moisture and control humidity to deter mold and pests.
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Use natural repellents like cloves, bay leaves, or cedar blocks.
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Set out pheromone traps to monitor for insect activity.
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Isolate new items for 1-2 weeks before adding to regular storage.
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Shop from bulk bins only if very clean. Avoid if you see any bugs!
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Heat treat or freeze flour and grains for 4 days before storage to kill any eggs or larvae.
Diligence is required, but taking proper precautions can help avoid nasty surprises in your homemade bread or morning oatmeal! With a little prevention, you can keep weevils, moths, and beetles from invading your pantry.
What is a Weevil?
A weevil is a small beetle that feeds on foods like flour, grain, rice, cereal, nuts, and beans. Unlike other pantry pests that strictly eat food, weevils lay eggs inside the food. These eggs then hatch, and the larvae eat the remainder of the food until they are fully grown.
Weevils enter the home through outside sources. Some may exist in the dry food you buy at the grocery store, while others can enter your home through cracks and holes in your walls or windows. These bugs primarily feed on food and plants outdoors, but once the weather cools down, they start searching for food sources in warmer environments.
Considering these pests can be as small as 1/16th-inch when they are fully grown, it can be almost impossible to detect them in your food until it is too late. These small bugs are physically harmless to humans and animals but consuming any food that’s been infested with bugs is less than ideal.
Steps for Getting Rid of Weevils in Your Pantry
Getting rid of pantry weevils is difficult but not impossible. Prior to calling an exterminator, there are several steps you can take to try to remove these pests from your pantry.
Step 1: Clean Out Your Pantry
To fully remove the pantry weevils and prevent a future infestation, remove all unsealed dry foods from your pantry shelves. This includes opened containers of rice, flour, pasta, and cereal, as well as boxed foods that are not sealed internally. Throw away all infected products and toss any boxes found in your pantry, even if their contents are sealed. Weevils often live inside cardboard boxes and can easily jump to new dry food products if not properly removed from your pantry.
Step 2: Freeze Salvageable Items
If you have any dry food that hasn’t been infested with fully-grown pantry weevils, stick them in your freezer for at least four days. This will kill any larvae that are still living in the food. Freezing dry foods after buying them from the supermarket can also be a good preventative measure to ensure there are no active larvae hiding in your food.
Step 3: Deep Clean the Pantry
Once all infected products have been thrown away, completely clear your pantry shelves. This includes all canned products, appliances, and sealed foods. Once cleared, vacuum every shelf and crevice where a weevil could potentially hide. Dump all of the vacuum’s contents outside and disinfect the vacuum before bringing it back into your house. Wipe down your shelves with hot soapy water to sanitize the area and let them dry fully before restocking your pantry.
Step 4: Use an Insecticide
To officially clear your pantry of weevils, invest in an insecticide specifically made for these pests. While many of these insecticides are non-toxic, it’s smart to keep children and pets away from the pantry temporarily while the fumes disperse.
If you’re less inclined to use a chemical spray to kill these bugs, there are several natural alternatives you can try. Cloves and bay leaves act as natural repellents to weevils. Place a few bay leaves in your dried food containers to ward off these pests, and position several cloves of garlic around your pantry and kitchen to deter these bugs from making a home in your pantry. White vinegar is also known to kill pesky pantry weevils. After rinsing your shelves with soapy water, wipe them down with white vinegar to prevent a future infestation from occurring.
Removing weevils from your pantry is an extensive process. The only way to fully prevent these pests from returning is to freeze all dried goods after purchase and store them in airtight containers. If your kitchen has been infested with weevils, give our team of pest experts a call today. At Aptive Environmental, we have the experience and effective solutions to kills weevils and protect your home from a future infestation.
Weevils and Flour. Yes they are already in there
FAQ
Should I throw out flour with weevils?
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Why throw it out?
- Contamination: Weevils can contaminate flour with their eggs, larvae, and feces, making it unsafe to eat.
- Difficult to remove: It’s very difficult to physically remove all the insects and their byproducts from the flour, even with sifting.
- Potential for re-infestation: If you try to keep the flour, the weevils may continue to multiply and infest other food items in your pantry.
- Unpleasant experience: The sight of weevils in your flour can be unsettling and make you hesitant to use the flour.
- Contamination: Weevils can contaminate flour with their eggs, larvae, and feces, making it unsafe to eat.
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What to do instead?
- Dispose of the flour: Seal the infested flour in a bag and throw it away.
- Clean your pantry: Thoroughly clean your pantry shelves and vacuum any cracks or crevices where weevils might hide.
- Inspect other food items: Check other dry goods in your pantry for signs of infestation.
- Store food properly: Store flour and other dry goods in airtight containers to prevent future infestations.
- Dispose of the flour: Seal the infested flour in a bag and throw it away.
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What are weevils?
- Weevils, also known as flour bugs or long-snout bugs, are tiny beetles that infest flour, rice, cornmeal, and other dry goods in the pantry.
- They can enter through windows or small cracks in the home and seek out open food containers.
- Weevils, also known as flour bugs or long-snout bugs, are tiny beetles that infest flour, rice, cornmeal, and other dry goods in the pantry.
Should I throw away rice with weevils?
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Why throw it away?Rice weevils can lay eggs inside the rice kernels, making it difficult to ensure the food is safe to eat.
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Potential risks:While rice weevils themselves are not known to carry diseases, consuming contaminated food can be unpleasant and potentially cause digestive upset.
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Prevention:To prevent future infestations, store rice in airtight containers, check for signs of infestation before purchasing, and regularly inspect your pantry.
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Other options:Some people suggest washing the rice to remove weevils, but this is not a guaranteed solution, and it’s best to err on the side of caution.
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If you find weevils:If you find weevils in your rice, it’s best to throw out the entire bag, even if you only see a few, to prevent further infestation.
What are the little bugs in my rice and flour?
Flour bugs, or weevils, are common pests that infest grains like flour, rice, and pasta. They’re usually harmless but can make food unappealing. To get rid of them, inspect pantry items, dispose of infested products, and clean thoroughly. Storing food in airtight containers can help prevent future infestations.
What do you do if you find bugs in flour?
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Discard Contaminated Flour:Don’t try to salvage the flour; throw it away immediately.
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Inspect Other Dry Goods:Check other dry goods like pasta, rice, cereal, and nuts for signs of infestation and discard any that show signs of bugs or damage.
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Empty and Clean Your Pantry:Remove all items from your pantry, including shelves and drawers, and thoroughly clean the area with soap and water, or a bleach solution.
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Vacuum Thoroughly:Vacuum all cracks, crevices, and corners of the pantry to remove any remaining debris or insect remains.
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Wipe Down Surfaces:Wipe down all surfaces in the pantry with a cleaner, including shelves, drawers, and the floor.
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Dispose of Trash Properly:Place the contaminated flour and any other discarded items in sealed bags and dispose of them in your outside trash.