Weevils are small, dark insects that can be found in the wild. They are part of the beetle family and go through the same life cycle as other beetles. They are often a problem in the kitchen, particularly where dry foods are stored.
Weevils love to eat dried food, including flour and cereal. They also sometimes find their way into the tins of canned goods. This is one reason why it’s important to inspect your pantry for any signs of weevil infestation, especially if you frequently buy these items in bulk.
First, you’ll need to clean your pantry shelves thoroughly. This is not a fun task, but it will help you get rid of any weevils that may have gotten into your food.
Start by examining each of your sealed grains, oats, rice, barley, and flour packages for weevils or shell castings. This will help you identify if they’ve infested your home and can be a great tool to avoid future infestations.
Another easy, inexpensive way to keep weevils out of your pantry is to store any contaminated grains in the freezer. This will kill any eggs, larvae, or pupae that they may have deposited in the food, which will stop them from multiplying into a full-blown pest infestation.
If you want to kill weevils on your own, there are many non-toxic sprays available that can be used in the pantry and cupboards. However, be sure to keep children and pets away while the fumes disperse.
Aside from sprays, other natural ways to deter weevils include using a few cloves of garlic and placing bay leaves around your pantry and kitchen. You can also try adding a few drops of essential oil to water and spraying it on each shelf.
To ensure that your pantry is as clean and tidy as possible, take out all of the crumbs, drippings, and spills from cooking and eating. This will eliminate any places where weevils can hide, allowing you to get rid of them in a more timely manner.
Next, make sure that you always use clean utensils and equipment when preparing food. This will prevent weevils from getting into your food in the first place and will also keep them from contaminating other foods, which is a serious issue for many people.
In addition to a thorough cleaning, you can also prevent weevils from entering your home by storing all dry foods in airtight containers and avoiding any loose food on the floor or countertops. This is particularly true of dry items like oats and wheat, which have a higher risk of becoming contaminated by weevils due to their tendency to chew through plastic and paper packaging.
Once you’ve cleaned your pantry and thrown out any infected dry foods, place the remaining food in the freezer for at least four days to kill any weevils that might have been left behind. This will keep your pantry free of weevils for the rest of the year and prevent any new ones from forming.
