No one likes to see microbe in theirpantry , much less mean about them growing and procreate among their solid food provision . But that ’s just what theweevil bugis up to , when give the chance . These small mallet - alike pests are notorious for their destructive substance abuse , especially in pantries and stack away food .
recognize by their distinct snout and compact bodies , weevils often infiltrate homes through buy grain , flours , and other wry goods . To prevent these unwelcome guests , it ’s all-important to take in several key strategy . as luck would have it , we ’ll show you how to get rid of the weevil hemipterous insect over the course of this clause .
The Adult Weevil Up Close
A penis of the phratry Curculionidae , the weevil bug is like a beetle with some interesting upgrades . " weevil that infest solid food items are tiny , but you’re able to see their typical ' beak - like ' snout protrude out from the heading , " pronounce David Lofquist , region technical training manager atArrow Exterminatorsin an e-mail audience . In fact , the weevil ’s mouthparts are turn up at the very end of this hallmark snoot .
However , with more than 3,000 specie in North America alone , weevil size and show can vary pretty wide . Theyrange in sizefrom 0.10 inch ( 3 millimeters ) to 0.25 column inch ( 10 millimetre ) .
Know Your Weevil Species
To undertake a weevil infestation , you must first correctly identify the specific type of weevil in your abode . The most vernacular types of weevils let in :
Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)
A major pest of stored grain , the rice weevil is known for its power to damage put in metric grain like Elmer Rice , wheat berry , and corn whiskey . They are small , dark - color in beetle with a long snout and four weak - colored muscae volitantes on their back .
Granary Weevil (Sitophilus granarius)
like to Sir Tim Rice weevil , garner weevil also infest grains . They differ in that they can not fly and are slightly larger . These cuss are particularly harmful to lay in dry solid food merchandise like wheat , oat , rye , barley , rice , and corn .
Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
Very similar to rice weevils , maize weevil are somewhat magnanimous and predominantly infest stored corn . They are also known to infest other grains and have a worldwide dispersion .
Bean Weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus)
Despite its name , the bean weevil is not a genuine weevil but a member of the leaf beetle family . It primarily infests dry beans and other legumes , causing substantial harm .
Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
like to vine weevil , these pests are known for attack cosmetic plants as well as fruits like blueberries .
There are other common types , including the wheat weevil and the grow weevil . Each case has its unique characteristics and preferred habitat , but they all portion out the common trait of being potentially damaging to crops , stored nutrient , and garden works .
Where Weevils Feed
If you recover worm inside lay in cereal grains , bean or seed , then weevil are the potential culprits . " ordinarily infested items are bird source , favored food for thought , or wildlife feed hold back seeds or corn , " says Lofquist . " Oftentimes , the plague commence in the garage or cellar and then spreads to a larder . "
Typically , weevils are found in a production that has been store for six calendar month or longer , he adds . Although it ’s possible to find grownup beetles feasting onflour , it ’s not likely , as they ca n’t apply the flour to continue their life cycle . " That ’s why identification is important because flour beetles or other scavenging type pantry pests may be the return [ or else ] , " he says .
How Do Weevils Get in Your Home?
Unfortunately for mass who appreciate insect - innocent pantries , these little buggers care to penetrate the area , but not in the way you might think . We already mentioned that infestation can start in the garage or basement , but that ’s not the most likely grounds .
" These pest usually come indoors via packaged foods or bulk ware , " says Ben Hottel , technical help handler for pest - ascendency serviceOrkin . So , the betting odds of a weevil flying into the pantry are abject , gratefully . It ’s much more coarse to bring them home with you from the store .
Once weevils pass through the pantry , they can go undetected for quite a while . " Weevils put egg inside the meat of grains or other amylum products that are large enough for the larva to develop inside , " Hottel explicate . " Because the larva develop inside the kernels of grain , weevil can remain out of sight in the pantry for a farseeing fourth dimension . "
The Life Cycle of Weevil Infestations
The weevil life cycle is pretty interesting , if also skanky ( turn over food products are need ) . First , distaff weevils lay eggs on the control surface of a grain , usually Zea mays , Elmer Rice , wheat , attic or pea plant .
" When the larva hatches from the egg it will crawl over the caryopsis until it finds a desirable possibility and then tunnel into the middle of the grain , " saysTerminixentomologist Angela M. Tucker in an e-mail .
" Once inside the food grain , the larva will feed on the interior , develop and pupate ( similar to a butterfly stroke cocoon and not made of silk ) . The adult will issue from the pupa degree , exit the grain , look for an adult of the opposite sexual activity and the cognitive operation starts again . "
Are Weevils Harmful?
Now for the million - dollar question : Are weevils dangerous to humans ? Fortunately , the solution is no . " They are not known for carrying pathogen which can result in illness , " say Tucker .
Even if you use products ladened with weevil eggs , feces , or molted skin , they wo n’t hurt you . " The cooking process takes maintenance of any food for thought - borne illness danger but most people will throw out infested item , " say Hottel .
How to Get Rid of Weevils
The first stone’s throw is throw out the dry buttery products that they favor . Weevil larvae and bollock are super - tiny and usually shroud inside the grain , so do n’t try out to sieve through and remove adult weevils . You ’ll definitely miss some grow immature weevils , and the cycles/second will perpetuate . Next , Lofquist says to exhaustively cleanse the buttery area , then store weevil - preferred foods in pest - proof containers . He propose ice jars with pixilated - fitting lid .
Tucker cautions against relying entirely on a bug spraying to kill weevil . " There are products which are labeled for program to cabinets . I would not urge using a residual liquidity software as the adult can be physically removed and the unripe stage will not be targeted as they are not make a motion in the cabinet space . "
She add that it ’s important to audit product packaging for signs of damage , such as fix , tears and webbing . Use your grain Cartesian product preferably , rather than after , and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for best results .
Leave Home-Invading Weevils to the Pros
Sometimes , weevils can offer their reign of brat outside the pantry . " weevil are especially long subsist in their grownup microscope stage so it is common to see them betray around the house for several calendar month after the proper steps have been taken , " Lofquist explains . " A void dry cleaner is the secure way to conduct with these wayward adult . "
If they stay , turn to the professionals . " Contacting a pest direction professional can give householder peace of mind and self-confidence , " Hottel says . " A technician will be capable to identify the type of weevil present tense and create a specific treatment program to free the home of weevil . "
This clause was update in conjunction with AI technology , then fact - check into and cut by a HowStuffWorks editor .
