However, they are unable to feed on whole grain products. The female beetle deposits eggs into food or into crevices in food packages. The larvae hatch and make their way into the product to eat. As larvae, all flour beetles are light brown, six-legged, wormlike creatures. Within as little time as one month, beetles are capable of developing into adults. The average life span is one year, although some specimens can survive for up to three years in warm, humid conditions. The development of the confused flour beetle is relatively slower than that of the red flour beetle.
Sightings of adults clearly indicate activity. Red flour beetles are ready fliers and will actively fly to lights. Infested product often will have the live adult beetles, parts of dead adult beetles, as well as larvae. Weevils are larger than flour mites and so are easier to spot. They also have a darker body, being brown in colour. They are a form of beetle and so are slender and oval shaped, with scales or shiny hairs on their bodies. Adult weevils have a distinctive snout shaped nose and are between 3mm and 10mm in length.
But what happens if you eat flour mites or weevils — are they harmful? It is also possible to be allergic to mites, which can make the skin itch and, in very rare cases, cause swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing if consumed. In this case, call a doctor immediately for medical attention. Both flour mites and weevils will have come into your kitchen through your flour or wheat products.
A few flour bugs can lay many eggs, and if your products are being stored for a long time, these eggs can hatch and cause an infestation. Wipe down your shelves with hot soapy water to sanitize the area and let them dry fully before restocking your pantry.
To officially clear your pantry of weevils, invest in an insecticide specifically made for these pests. Cloves and bay leaves act as natural repellents to weevils. Place a few bay leaves in your dried food containers to ward off these pests, and position several cloves of garlic around your pantry and kitchen to deter these bugs from making a home in your pantry.
White vinegar is also known to kill pesky pantry weevils. After rinsing your shelves with soapy water, wipe them down with white vinegar to prevent a future infestation from occurring. Removing weevils from your pantry is an extensive process.
The only way to fully prevent these pests from returning is to freeze all dried goods after purchase and store them in airtight containers. If your kitchen has been infested with weevils, give our team of pest experts a call today. This will kill any eggs that may be present in the produce. Once removed from the freezer, keep the items in airtight containers. Lures can last for up to three months.
How to store food safely and correctly. Get your mag delivered! Rice weevils. Tetiana Bykovets on Unsplash.
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