Table of Contents
Wipe the shelves with hot soapy water or a disinfecting spray then wipe again with white vinegar, which is known to kill weevils. Clean any unaffected items such as cans or containers before returning them to the pantry.
How did weevils get in my pantry?
Weevils generally gain entry into your home through purchased containers of whole-grain cereal products that have been infested at food processing and packaging centers. Once in your home, weevils can spread to whatever cereal grains are available to them.
How do I get rid of weevils in my house?
5 Simple Steps to Get Rid of Weevils Identify the Infestation. Check to see if there is a problem with an infestation. Clean the Area. Once you have determined that there is an infestation, thoroughly clean the infected area. Dispose of the Food. Store Food in Clean Containers. Remove the Source. Dried Bay Leaves.
Does vinegar kill pantry bugs?
Vinegar acts as a repellent to deter pantry bugs from coming back. It will also kill any bugs that may still be hiding in your cupboards! Do not use pesticides, bleach, or ammonia to wipe down the pantry. These chemicals will prevent infestations but can be dangerous if they touch any of your food.
Do weevils go away on their own?
Weevils inside homes When weevils are found indoors, physically remove them with a vacuum or broom and dust pan. These weevils are harmless and temporary and will go away on their own.
Can weevils get into airtight containers?
Airtight containers are designed to keep your food fresh and eliminate the risk of pantry pests. So, it’s almost impossible for weevils to enter a high-quality airtight container. If you notice any bugs appear in your airtight container, it’s likely there were already microscopic weevil eggs in your food.
How do I get rid of weevils in my kitchen cupboards?
You can even try some simple home remedies such as freezing the produce for a few days to kill any flour bugs present and prevent the eggs from hatching, or adding a few bay leaves into your wheat products, which will act as a deterrent for the pests.
What essential oil gets rid of weevils?
Weevil Essential Oil Spray Add ten drops of sweet orange or peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle full of water and mix it well. Remove your food items from the pantry and spray the liquid on each shelf. Use a soft cloth to wipe the area and then return your food to the cupboard.
How do I keep weevils out of my cupboards?
How can you prevent further infestation? Store items such as flour, grains, cereals and pulses in the freezer. Leave dried bay leaves in each airtight container along with your food. Source non-toxic, pesticide-free pantry moth traps.
Why do you get weevils in flour?
Unlike other insects that climb into flour, weevils live and feed inside the food. The female will chew a hole into the grain kernel, depositing the egg inside. When the egg hatches, you will notice weevils inside your flour. If you’ve opened your flour and found it crawling with small pests, you probably have weevils.
How do bugs get into sealed packages?
Some food-infesting insects with strong jaws actually chew their way into the package. Other insects that can’t chew their way in are flattened in shape, such as the sawtoothed grain beetle, so they can squeeze their way inside. These insects can enter through sealed seams or even through stitching holes.
Are weevils in pasta?
Types of Weevils and Other Pests Bugs in flour, cereals, pasta and other dry goods are often 1/8- to 3/16-inch-long reddish beetles that are also called weevils or flour weevils. The third type of pest found in your flour, cereal or dog food is the pantry moth (Plodia interpunctella).
How do weevils get in pasta?
In the home, weevils can be brought in on packaged foods2 or they can come in from outside. Once inside, a population can grow and expand to food items stored nearby if the pests are not controlled. Store grains and other weevil-tempting foods in dry areas, and always throw out any food where you find weevils.
Do weevils bite humans?
Weevils contaminate infested food with their feces and cast skins, causing more damage than they eat. So, an infestation may render entire packages or pantries of food inedible. Stored product weevils do not bite and they do not cause damage to dry, decay-free wood inside homes.
Can weevils live in carpet?
Weevil females may lay up 300 eggs and they will hatch when the weather warms. If your tree had weevil eggs they likely hatched in your warm carpet. Also, you may need to spray your windows if you find weevils there because the mature adults are attracted to light.
Can weevils make you sick?
The Good News. The truth is, weevils are NOT harmful to humans. Accidentally eating them along with your food does not cause any ill effects.
