Who or what is pantry enemy number one? 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 weevils may affect the quality of produce (resulting in wasteful disposal of food, grains and rice), they do not carry disease or viruses, so there is no 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.
Find out how to rid your kitchen of weevils and get your pantry back in order.
What are weevils?
Weevils are 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 Australian homes 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 cast a wider net — dried fruits, nuts, biscuits, chocolate and even dry pet food are all fair game. There are over 60,000 known weevil species, ranging from 3mm to 10mm in length.
Where do weevils come from?
Weevils have been known to find their way into the home from outside (as adult beetles or moths depositing their eggs in food sources).
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.
What to do if you have a weevil infestation
The first signs of rice or grain weevil infestation are tiny, squirming larvae, most likely found in produce such as grains, cereals, pasta, nuts, tea bags, and pulses. In the case of pantry moths, you’ll usually notice silken threads throughout the produce and possibly signs of larvae. Once spotted, dispose of contaminated items and track down the source — if you don’t find it, you will continue to have pantry pests.
Once you’ve identified and removed the infestation, take everything out of the pantry, vacuum it, and wipe down all the cupboards, pantry shelves, and surrounding areas. Make sure you get into every corner and crevice. You can use cleaning essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, or vinegar to wipe down the shelves.
How to prevent weevils in the pantry
- If you have room in your freezer, place items such as flour, grains, cereals, and pulses in freezer bags and store them 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.
No. Weevils and their larvae don’t carry disease or viruses. While unpleasant to discover, accidentally consuming them poses no health risk.
Grain and rice weevils appear as tiny beetles or larvae that burrow into dry goods. Pantry moths leave silken webbing throughout affected produce and may also leave visible larvae.
Store all dry goods in airtight containers, place a dried bay leaf in each one, and freeze new pantry staples before storing them. Regularly check and clean your pantry to catch any early signs.
