Bhg
  • Shop
  • TV
  • News
  • Food
  • Better Life
  • DIY
  • Travel
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Craft
  • Episodes
Bhg
  • Shop
  • TV
  • News
  • Food
  • Better Life
  • DIY
  • Travel
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Craft
  • Episodes
Subscribe
Can you wash potatoes in the dishwasher?

Can you wash potatoes in the dishwasher?

{headline}

{headline}

Roast leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary

Roast leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary

Hay-smoked lamb rack with baby potatoes and simple pickled carrots

Hay-smoked lamb rack with baby potatoes and simple pickled carrots

Blue pasta and vegan carbonara from Sydney’s latest pasta bar

Blue pasta and vegan carbonara from Sydney’s latest pasta bar

{headline}

{headline}

The safest temperature for your fridge

The safest temperature for your fridge

Pink KitKats exist

Pink KitKats exist

{headline}

{headline}

Tried and tested: Pickle and peanut butter sanga

Tried and tested: Pickle and peanut butter sanga

The best foodies to follow on Instagram

The best foodies to follow on Instagram

(Sponsor)

Karen’s BBQ Pizza

Karen’s BBQ Pizza

Breakfast pizza

Breakfast pizza

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

  1. Home
  2. Food
  3. How to make your kitchen free of weevils!

How to make your kitchen free of weevils!

Begone the evil weevil! Have you recently had a weevil infestation in the pantry? Here’s how to fix it and how to prevent further infestation. - by Emi Berry
  • 16 Feb 2017
How to make your kitchen free of weevils! Getty

Who or what is pantry enemy no.1? The first thing that springs to mind is ‘ a pack of hungry teenagers’ or ‘ants’. But what about ‘pantry weevils’, you say? Yes, the evil weevil. Whilst they are small in stature, they’re certainly big on eliciting a rather negative reaction in the kitchen.

Although these pantry pests affect the quality of produce, resulting in wasteful disposal of food, grain/rice weevils don’t carry disease or viruses, so there is not threat to your health. In fact, you’ve probably – unknowingly - ingested weevils as they can be present in produce from a processing plant. Yes in this case, ignorance is definitely bliss.

moth weevil

Indian meal moth silken threads

Supplied

What are they? Tiny worm-like insects (from grain/rice weevil larvae) and web-like silken threads (produced by the meal or weevil moth) that appear in our produce in the pantry are commonly referred to as weevils. The most common pests we find in our pantry here in Australia are Indian meal (or weevil) moths and grain/rice weevils. Grain weevils attack hard cereal products such as macaroni and spaghetti, whilst rice weevils attack grain and seeds. Indian meal moth larvae can be found in grain products as well as dried fruits, nuts, seed, biscuits, chocolate and dry dog food. 

There are, in fact over 60,000 species of weevils and they can range in size from 3mm to 10mm in length. 

rice weevil

Rice weevil

Getty

Where do they come from? Weevils have been known to find their way into the home from outside (in the form of adult beetles or moths depositing their eggs in a food source). However in most cases, they are already present in produce, originating at the processing plant, a warehouse, in a delivery vehicle or even at the store of purchase.

weevils

Rice weevils in the rice

Getty

What to do in the case of an infestation

The first signs of rice or grain weevil infestation is the presence of tiny, squirming larvae, which is most likely going to be found in produce such as grains, cereals, pastas, nuts, tea bags and pulses. In the case of meal moth infestation, it will usually be in the form of silken threads throughout the produce and possibly signs of larvae. Unfortunately, you will have to dispose of the produce, and most importantly, find the source of the contamination, which could be in another container. Finding the original source is the key to eliminating further problems and food spoilage. Until you find the source, you will continue to have pantry pests.

Once you've identified and removed the infestation, take everything out of the pantry, give it a vacuum and wipe down all the cupboards, pantry shelves and surrounding areas. Make sure you get into every corner and crevice. Rather than using chemicals, use natural cleaners such as eucalyptus oil, tea-tree oil or vinegar to wipe down the shelves.

bay leaves

Dried bay leaves

Getty

Tips to prevent further infestations:

• Ideally, if you have room in your freezer, place items such as flour, grains, cereals and pulses in freezer bags and place the items in the freezer for a minimum of four days. This will kill any eggs that may be present in the produce. Once removed from the freezer, keep the items in airtight containers.

• Dried bay leaves discourage grain and rice weevil infestation, so place one in each airtight container.

• Purchase non-toxic, pesticide-free pantry moth traps if you continue to have pantry moth infestations. Lures can last for up to three months. 

FREE $40* Crabtree & Evelyn Voucher

Subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens for ONLY $59

Save 30% Subscribe Now
FREE $40* Crabtree & Evelyn Voucher

Recommended to you

Can you wash potatoes in the dishwasher?

Can you wash potatoes in the dishwasher?

{headline}

{headline}

Roast leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary

Roast leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary

Hay-smoked lamb rack with baby potatoes and simple pickled carrots

Hay-smoked lamb rack with baby potatoes and simple pickled carrots

Blue pasta and vegan carbonara from Sydney’s latest pasta bar

Blue pasta and vegan carbonara from Sydney’s latest pasta bar

{headline}

{headline}

The safest temperature for your fridge

The safest temperature for your fridge

Pink KitKats exist

Pink KitKats exist

{headline}

{headline}

Tried and tested: Pickle and peanut butter sanga

Tried and tested: Pickle and peanut butter sanga

The best foodies to follow on Instagram

The best foodies to follow on Instagram

(Sponsor)

Karen’s BBQ Pizza

Karen’s BBQ Pizza

Breakfast pizza

Breakfast pizza

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • BHG Shop
  • Home Beautiful
  • Foodiful
  • All Recipes

Pacific Network

  • marie claire
  • Styled By marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Women's Health
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
© 2017 Pacific Magazines