Why do I have so many weevils?

You have so many weevils because they likely came in with infested pantry staples like rice, flour, or cereal, as eggs are often laid at the factory and hatch in your home, or they're finding their way in from outside through cracks seeking shelter from hot, dry weather. Their rapid reproduction in stored foods, coupled with easy entry points, allows infestations to grow quickly, so inspect and store all dry goods in airtight containers.

Why do I keep getting weevils?

Another way they can make their way into your home is by hitchhiking in on other insects. For example, if you have an infestation of flour beetles, those beetles may also bring weevil eggs into your pantry. Once the eggs hatch, the weevils will start to multiply and can quickly become a real problem.

How to get rid of weevils permanently?

Use Vinegar or Eucalyptus Oil Vinegar and eucalyptus oil are both effective cleaners to guard against and repel weevils. These two ingredients are especially effective if you combine them. Create a 50/50 mixture of the two and wipe down your shelves with it.

Does every bag of rice have weevils?

They're very common. Anecdotally they seem more frequent in high density areas and warmer climates. If you've had them once, you're more likely to keep getting them. Store your rice in completely sealed containers (the bag the rice came in is not good enough) and use it all within a few months.

What foods are most prone to weevils?

Weevils found in gardens eat a variety of fruits and roots, whereas the ones that make their way into homes feed on seed or grain. Weevils found indoors usually reside in pantries eating dry food like flour, rice, pasta, and cereal.

How to Get Rid of Rice Weevils (4 Easy Steps)

What are the signs of a weevil infestation?

Signs of a weevil infestation include seeing tiny beetles with long snouts in your pantry, finding small holes in stored grains (rice, flour, cereal), noticing dusty, sawdust-like debris or webbing in food, and detecting a musty odor in your food storage areas, with the insects themselves often appearing in large numbers crawling on walls or windowsills. You might also see larvae or shed skins in your food, and the food itself might feel lighter or have a sour taste.
 

What repels weevils?

To repel weevils, use their aversion to strong scents by placing bay leaves, cloves, garlic, black peppercorns, or mint in your pantry or containers, alongside thorough cleaning with white vinegar, sealing food in airtight containers, and keeping areas dry and crumb-free to prevent infestations. For garden weevils, plant mint or garlic nearby. 

Should I throw away food with weevils?

Infested foods should be thrown away and the shelves cleaned thoroughly to eliminate food material and insect eggs or larvae which might be in cracks or corners. Vacuum the shelves and then wash the cupboards with warm soapy water.

What do weevils turn into?

Weevils go through four life stages: egg, larva (grub), pupa, and adult beetle, so they turn into adult beetles, not moths or other insects; the larvae are legless, grub-like, and eat from the inside of grains or plants, then pupate, emerging as the familiar snout-nosed beetles that can fly or crawl.
 

How do weevils get into sealed containers?

Weevils get into sealed containers because their eggs or larvae were already inside the food product (like grains, flour, cereal) when it was packaged, hatching later in your pantry, or they chew tiny holes through thin packaging like plastic bags to enter. They don't always get in from outside your home; often, you bring the infestation home from the store, where insects can lay eggs during processing, harvesting, or storage.
 

Will weevils eventually go away?

Weevils inside homes

Pesticides are not effective or necessary. These weevils are harmless and temporary and will go away on their own. Their numbers can vary from year to year. If you see many weevils one year, it does not mean that they will be a problem again the next year.

What is the hardest infestation to get rid of?

That depends on your definition of hard, but termites, bedbugs, and cockroaches top the list. In the pest control world, the top most challenging cases are those that involve severe infestations of termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches. Each of these sends shivers down most people's spines, and for good reason.

What to put in a pantry to stop weevils?

To keep weevils out of your pantry, store all dry goods in airtight glass or sturdy plastic containers, use natural deterrents like bay leaves or cloves in shelves, keep the pantry spotlessly clean, buy smaller quantities, and consider freezing new grains for a few days to kill hidden eggs before storing. Regular inspection and prompt cleanup of spills are key to preventing infestations.
 

How to get rid of weevils once and for all?

Indoors

1. Throw out any food that may have been contaminated.
2. Remove everything from your cabinets or pantry so you can deep-clean the shelves.
3. Be sure to throw away shelf liners and thoroughly clean surfaces.
4. Vacuum around edges, corners, and around molding - don't leave a single grain behind.

What's the worst bug to have in your house?

The Worst Home-Destroying Pest By State

• Spiders: 13.
• Carpenter ants: 9.
• Termites: 7.
• Cockroaches: 7.
• Carpenter bees: 6.
• Wood-boring beetles: 3.
• Fire ants: 3.
• Scorpions: 2.

Can weevils infest unopened packages?

Food packaging: Weevils can chew through thin plastic, cardboard or paper packaging and may breed inside unopened boxes or bags of food.

What smells do weevils hate?

Bay leaves, for instance, are a natural deterrent. Here's how to use them effectively: Place whole bay leaves in pantry containers where grain products are stored. Replace the bay leaves every month for continuous protection against weevils.

Are weevils the same as maggots?

Adult weevils appear very different to the larvae. Adults have a hardened body, six prominent legs and an elongated, downward curved head forming a 'snout'. The larvae are legless, maggot-like in shape and may be confused with fly larvae. Weevil larvae possess a small, hardened head capsule.

Do weevils spread around the house?

Weevils that come indoors for shelter can infest every room in the home. They often cluster in rooms that have windows. They gather at the windows trying to get outside. Homeowners find these weevils crawling on the walls, on windowsills and on ceilings.

Can weevils get into ziploc bags?

Insects can chew through plastic bags, even freezer weight ones. If you use bags, double bag.

Can I still eat flour with weevils?

Yes, ingesting a few weevils in flour is generally considered safe as they are non-toxic and heat kills them, but it's gross, and a heavy infestation warrants discarding the flour to avoid potential mold/spores or a bad taste/texture from insect waste; sifting or freezing can help for minor issues, but proper airtight storage is key for prevention.
 

Can I still eat rice with weevils?

Yes, you can still eat rice with weevils; they are harmless to humans, don't spread disease, and you can simply wash or sift them out before cooking, which will kill any remaining bugs, though it's an unpleasant "ick factor" for many people. While not a health hazard, they do spoil the food, so it's best to remove them, and storing grains in airtight containers prevents future infestations.
 

What smell do bugs hate the most?

Bugs hate strong, pungent smells, with peppermint, citronella, tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon (especially lemon eucalyptus) being among the most effective natural repellents, deterring insects like mosquitoes, ants, spiders, and flies by overwhelming their senses. Other scents like basil, rosemary, and cinnamon also work well as natural deterrents for various pests.
 

Can weevils get into glass jars?

Not only do they appear on shelves and walls, but they can appear inside sealed glass or plastic containers. How does this happen? The answer is that they were already in the products when you purchased them from the grocery store. This is disturbing but true.

What causes a weevil infestation?

They feed off of stored materials such as flour, cereal, and rice and reproduce very quickly, so an infestation can take over in no time. The most common way that weevils make it into homes is by coming in with already-infested food items.