weevils..... they are wobbling in my pantry

[Sagginit]

I noticed for the first time ever, little brown bugs in my rice a few months ago (about 2-3). I promptly threw out the rice and looked around the pantry. Found one dead one near where the bag was, and nothing since. I bought the same brand of rice and this time I put it in a plastic airtight container like the rest of my dry goods right away. I take out the rice today and ack, brown bugs! I noticed just one and in a few hours more.

I googled and it appears they are weevils. I started buying organic brown rice, and they must have had eggs in both bags. I am now terrified that some got out and spread into my other stuff. I stockpile and the pantry is loaded with other stuff, most of it in plastic containers once opened, but some in boxes as I haven't use it yet.

Any advice? How quickly can they spread? My fear is I'm going to lose a lot of money if they get into my dry goods since I'm gluten free and that stuff can be pricey. Last time I didn't notice any but then again they were in a stockpile cabinet I only go into every few weeks I haven't inspected it lately.

I also read online about freezing stuff when you bring it home to prevent this, but I never thought to freeze my rice or beans before putting them away. How common is this? I am creeped out just knowing I ate some of this rice and probably eggs in the last few weeks.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Ugh, so sorry. In the past, I've used spearmint gum and it worked. Just buy a pack and unwrap the sticks of gum. Place them on all your shelves. Good luck!

 

[Marionnette]

Wipe down cabinets with a tea tree oil based cleaner. Place dried bay leaves on each shelf. Toss anything that may be infested. Store items that could possibly become infested in plastic storage containers.

To avoid future infestations, freeze foods that commonly attract weevils. Ninety-six hours in the freezer should kill any eggs. You can also heat grains and seeds by putting them on a baking sheet in a thin layer and leaving them in a cool oven (120°-130°) for 30-60 mins. Microwaving them for 5 mins. on high also works. Then store the product in a storage container with a tight lid or ziplock bag over the package. Adding a dried bay leaf to the container or bag will discourage weevils from taking up residence.

 

[MAJPLO]

I had a similar problem with moths. Had to throw a lot of stuff out. I put EVERYTHING in the freezer and didn't take it out until I was ready to use it and then inspected very carefully. When I emptied the pantry I sprayed all the shelves and baskets with a tiny bit of bleach in water solution. So far so good with everything now. Although I did cringe when I saw DH had bought a box of rice a roni and didn't put it in the freezer before putting it in the pantry. Yikes.

 

[powellrj]

If you are buying from the same store, it maybe a a store problem. You might want to buy from a different store next time.

 

[Sagginit]

thanks for all the advice. i haven't seen anymore, but i have a bad cold so i haven't had time to dig deep into the pantry. i have the offending rice in a plastic tub, i need to throw it out but i want it going straight out and i dont think they can get out of this plastic container. i do clean out my cabinets every few weeks and recently did it in december a few times, but i have an over the fridge cabinet where i first saw them that is hard to get to, and i take stuff out but never really clean as everything in their is new (that is where i kept the first bag).

i emailed the store where i got the bags of rice since they are store brand and bought at the same location. i may try the freezer method going forward. i have a roommate so freezer space is really tight, but since shes on vacation this week i will have some time to pull stuff out and freeze it. now that i think of it if it gets in my roomates stuff im never getting rid of them, since shes way messy.

 

[NotUrsula]

You don't need to freeze the stuff, but you need to store it in glass. (Weevils can get through plastic, but not glass.) Best bet is a good old spring-seal mason jar.

I grew up in a sub-tropical area. Weevils were a constant problem, so we always decanted all dry foods into large glass-lid mason jars. You can usually get them quite cheaply at dollar stores.

 

[Marionnette]

You don't need to freeze the stuff, but you need to store it in glass. (Weevils can get through plastic, but not glass.) Best bet is a good old spring-seal mason jar.

I grew up in a sub-tropical area. Weevils were a constant problem, so we always decanted all dry foods into large glass-lid mason jars. You can usually get them quite cheaply at dollar stores.

Freezing isn't meant to keep weevils out. You freeze products to kill any eggs that might be in the food. Putting it in glass jars without freezing first just moves those eggs inside the jar, where they will hatch and have their fun. They won't spread elsewhere but it will ruin the food that you were trying to keep safe.

 

[North of Mouse]

Also, just a reminder, weevils and moths do not come in just pantry foods. We were infected with them from 'bird' seed that we kept inside. I had to throw all the 'dry' pantry food away and disinfect the pantry - 'no' more bird seed stored in our home - only outside in the RV garage where it can get cold.

 

[Sagginit]

I put a bunch of stuff in the freezer last night to try to be safe. i found a bunch of dead guys at the bottom of the shelf near the canned goods. it looks like their bad sense of direction may have saved the pasta and rice in there. also ironically i had two bags of white rice, plain carolina stuff. i guess they had a good taste for the organic and did not appear to go near it. that stuff is freezer bound anyway. i also had three boxes of buckwheat which i froze and they show no traces of infestation. it looks like i got off easy.

i use plastic as its lighter than glass and im clumsy. can they eat through the plastic or just escape? i know that sounds dumb but i know mice can chew through plastic so i was wondering because they dont look big enough to have teeth that could do that lol.