Your guide to getting your pantry weevil-free

Carbs are a staple in healthy diets and come in forms like rice and bread. You can also toss pasta there for fancy homemade meals. But with these food items in your pantry, know they’re susceptible to pesky pests, specifically weevils.

Weevil infestation can lead to wasted food. Weevils are culprits in flour, corn, rice, and various grains. They munch and burrow right into your food, so it’s crucial to eradicate them for safe and clean meals. If you’re dealing with a weevil infestation, here are some tips on how to get rid of weevils on pantry shelves.

What are weevils?

There are a few different types of weevils, but grain weevils, like rice and granary weevils, are two of the most common kinds. These reddish-brown bugs grow around 1/8" to 1/4" long with long snouts. They commonly feed on different grains but can also go through food items like pasta, dried fruits, and snacks. 

A unique and disgusting characteristic of weevils is that they live in their food. They make holes in grains, burrow in, and lay their eggs there, creating both a home and a feeding ground for themselves and their larvae. It’s also why they are dangerous because there might be weevils inside your stored food, and you wouldn’t know it.

Signs of weevils in your pantry

• If you see tiny bugs in your stored foods, they are most likely weevils. Weevils in flour and bugs in rice are usually the easiest to spot, as the dark-colored bugs are noticeable against the white colors.
• Dusty residue on your food can also be present during a weevil infestation. This is more visible when you pour the grains into water.
• Empty husks, which are insect remains, are also a good way to spot weevils, and they’re usually one of the most obvious signs.
• Keep an eye out for those little holes in your packaging–weevils can be the culprits in the tiny punctures you see in cardboard boxes and plastics.
• Weevils cause a musky odor, so if you notice an unusual smell around your pantry, check for weevils infestation immediately. 

How to get rid of weevils naturally in your pantry

These bugs might seem scary, but getting rid of weevils is surprisingly easy, and you can wipe them out naturally. 

Seal and dispose of affected food

Once you spot weevils in your food, consider the food-infested products good as gone. There’s too much risk in removing weevils, and there’s no guarantee you can thoroughly clear the weevil infestation because they burrow in the food.

Before you throw out the contaminated food, seal it in airtight containers to prevent it from infecting other food. Grain weevils, in particular, are pesky pests that can sneak out of the trash and go for their next target. 

Make a vinegar and water spray solution

Vinegar is one of the most common home remedies for a weevil infestation. Start by making a spray solution with plain white vinegar and water. You can then put that mixture into a spray bottle to eliminate weevils around the area and food. 

This solution works best for food that isn’t heavily infested with weevils since this will kill weevils that stick to the surfaces of the other food items.

Clean your food storage areas and containers thoroughly

While weevils live in the food, it doesn’t mean that they’re not present in the rest of your kitchen. A thorough cleaning is necessary to ensure your pantry is clear of common pest infestation. 

Use hot, soapy water and wipe down all your cabinets and shelves. Grab your vacuum to suck up any hidden pests in the cracks and crevices. Afterward, let the food storage areas dry before putting back the rest of your food items.

Don’t forget to clean the containers where you stored the infested products. Give them a good scrub with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly before reusing them for other fresh food.

Use extreme temperatures to save stored food

If there is some food that you want to save, like pet food or items that don’t have too many weevils in them, then you can use extreme temperatures to banish weevils. You can heat dry food in the oven to kill weevils that could still be on the food. 

However, this method won’t kill weevil eggs. You’ll need to repeat the heat process after at least seven days when the eggs have hatched. 

Alternatively, you can put the infested food in the freezer and leave it there for a day–this should kill all weevils regardless of where they are in their life cycle. This is a good option to save food that cannot be reheated. 

5 Ways to prevent weevils in your pantry

1. Inspect your food when you buy it. Bugs in rice and granary weevils are especially easy to spot, so a quick check-in every now and then can save your pantry from a nightmare.

2. Check the packaging in the store before you buy. If the boxes are already suspiciously dusty or worn down, weevils or other common pests might have gotten to them already. This isn’t always the case, but it’s better to be sure than sorry. 

3. Proper storage is the best way to deter weevils. Use airtight containers to keep weevils out of your food. Glass containers help prevent weevils well.

4. Clean your cupboards and cabinets often. Cleanliness can go a long way in stopping weevils in their tracks. Throw away old grains, and inspect for any signs of weevils and other pests. Clean spills immediately to avoid the residue from attracting bugs.

5. Bay leaves are a natural anti-weevil measure. Put some leaves scattered around your kitchen pantry to ensure rice weevils and maize weevils don’t bother your tasty grains.

Banish those pantry pests

Throwing out food because of weevils is like tossing money down the drain. These pantry pests spread fast. So, regular checks are key. But if you’ve got an infestation, try the remedies above, toss the infested food items, and give your cabinets a good scrub to kick those weevils to the curb.

However, sometimes a regular cleaning routine isn’t enough. When the problem gets out of hand, call a pest control expert to help you eliminate the little beasts and enjoy a weevil-free kitchen in no time!