Having produce like grains and seeds in large quantities is a nice option, especially when you have a big family. Running out to the supermarket or local markets to get rice or other grains every week can be such a hassle. However, there’s one major problem people who buy grains and seeds in bulk deal with – and that’s weevils.
Weevils are small beetles that infest stored grain and seeds. When these insects get into containers containing those types of crops, they eat and ruin stored foods. After weevils feast on grains, they often render them unusable. In this article, we’re going to look at how to prevent weevils from attacking your stored grains.
How Do You Identify A Weevil Infestation?
The first thing to do is to observe your stored grains for weevil infestation. There are a couple signs of weevils in your produce such as holes in your grains and seeds. You may find adult weevils crawling around your produce, or powdery residues in the container you stored the produce in.
Common places where you can find weevils are in your pantry or cabinets where you store dry items. Weevils dwell in dry items like flour, pasta, rice, beans etc.
How Can You Deal With Weevil Infestation?
Dispose: You’ll have to gather all the infested items from your kitchen and place them away from other produce. Then dispose each of them to prevent future infestation. Don’t try to turn those infected produce to a compost as a method of disposal. This is because the weevil eggs or larvae might survive and begin to spread once more.
Freezing and heating: Those produce that can withstand a cold temperature should be placed in the freezer for 3-5 days, so as to kill the eggs. Then those produce that can withstand high temperatures of about 140°F (60°C), should be placed in the oven or microwave for 15 minutes.
Cleaning: Take out all the items in the cabinet where you store your grains and clean them thoroughly. You can use a vacuum cleaner or broom, whichever one works best for you, to clean out your cabinets. Wash shelves, walls, and doors with soapy water or a vinegar solution to remove any remaining weevils or eggs.
How To Prevent Future Infestation
You can prevent this infestation from happening in the first place by storing your grains and seeds in airtight containers. Always check your grains and seeds every now and then to ensure that they’re weevil free. Make sure to clean the cabinet regularly and remove crumbs from the corner of the cabinet.
Additionally, you can use natural repellents like bay leaves and cloves to drive out weevils.
Conclusion
Weevils are tiny pests that can ruin your stored food. If you see holes in grains or find small insects crawling around your stored grains, your produce might be infested with weevils. To stop them from spreading, throw away any infested food and clean up your pantry well. Keep your food sealed tight and check it often. Use repellent like bay leaves or cloves to keep them away. Keeping your pantry clean and dry will help keep these bugs at bay.
