Get Rid Of Weevils: Bedroom Strategies For Success

Weevils are tiny bugs that are part of the beetle family. They are practically invisible to the naked eye until fully grown. They are common pantry pests that infest food items such as rice, beans, grains, cereals, seeds, nuts, and more. They can fly into your home or come in through contaminated food. To get rid of weevils, you can use natural remedies such as bay leaves, vinegar, extreme temperatures, and diatomaceous earth. You can also prevent weevils by sealing cracks and crevices, using airtight containers, and regularly cleaning and inspecting your pantry.

Identify the type of weevil

Weevils are a type of small beetle with a distinctive elongated head that forms a snout. They are usually dark-coloured (brownish to black) and can be slender or oval-shaped, ranging in size from about 3mm to over 10mm in length.

The most common stored product weevils are:

• Cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus)
• Granary weevils (Sitophilus granarius)
• Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae)
• Bean weevils (Acanthoscelides obtectus)
• Wheat weevils (Sitophilus granarius)

The bean weevil is known to target legumes and beans, and often enters the home in a bag of groceries. Rice weevils, on the other hand, are attracted to moisture and are often found in sinks, bathtubs, and water basins. They are about 1/4 inch long, black or dark brown with rows of pits along their backs.

The strawberry root weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus) is the most common home-invading weevil in Minnesota. They are also attracted to moisture and are found indoors during the summer months. They are about 1/4 inch long and are often confused with ticks, but can be distinguished by the fact that weevils have six legs, while ticks have eight.

The white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi) is a pest that infests pine and spruce trees. The black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) is another species that is found in many parts of the United States and feeds on a variety of plants, including hemlocks and rhododendrons.

The rose weevil (Merhynchites bicolor) is a serious threat to horticulturists as its snout can drill through flower buds, causing irreparable harm.

Throw away infested food

Throwing away infested food is one of the first steps to getting rid of weevils. Weevils are tiny bugs that are practically invisible to the naked eye and are part of the beetle family. They infest dry goods such as grains, rice, beans, cereals, seeds, and nuts. They can fly into your home or come in through contaminated food. They can also lay their eggs inside dry goods, which means it is possible to buy food that already has weevil eggs in it.

If you suspect any opened or unopened packages that might have or had weevils, it is best to get rid of them. Be sure to check nearby containers as well, even if they haven't been opened. Weevils can chew through cardboard and plastic, which means they can also get into unopened packages of food.

To prevent weevils from infesting your food, it is recommended to store food in tightly sealed containers. These containers can be made of glass or metal with tight lids that are bug-proof. It is also a good idea to buy dry goods in smaller quantities to prevent storing them for too long and to get rid of old food. Regularly cleaning the pantry, cleaning up spills immediately, and inspecting pantry and dry goods for any signs of weevils are also recommended.

Deep clean the affected area

To deep clean the affected area, you should start by removing all the food from the shelves. Use a vacuum to suck up loose bits of flour or food. Immediately empty the vacuum bag outside so the weevils don't remain inside your house.

Then, clean the shelves with hot soapy water or a disinfecting spray. Wipe the shelves again with white vinegar, which is known to kill weevils. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and eucalyptus oil to wipe down the shelves.

Clean any unaffected items such as cans or containers before returning them to the pantry.

Use natural repellents like bay leaves, vinegar, eucalyptus oil, or diatomaceous earth

Bay leaves are a great, cheap, natural repellent for weevils. Simply place some fresh bay leaves in and around the containers where you store grain products, such as rice, beans, nuts, or noodles. You can also sprinkle bay leaves on your countertops or pantry shelves, taping them down if needed. Replace the bay leaves every month to ensure continuous protection against weevils.

Another natural repellent is vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of half water and half vinegar, then spray the solution onto your pantry shelves, cabinets, and kitchen counters. This will clean up any forgotten messes and help keep weevils at bay. For maximum effect, clean your kitchen with warm soapy water first, then follow up with a vinegar spray.

Diatomaceous earth is also an effective natural solution for getting rid of weevils. It is a fine powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. When weevils come into contact with it, the powder damages their outer shell, causing them to dehydrate and die. Use a small brush or duster to apply a thin layer of diatomaceous earth to the shelves, cracks, and crevices where weevils are likely to hide. Be sure to wear a mask to avoid inhaling the powder and reapply every few days until the weevils are gone.

Eucalyptus oil can be used to repel many pests, but it is unclear whether it is effective against weevils.

Store food in airtight containers

Weevils are a common problem for grocery and convenience stores. They can fly into your home or come in through contaminated food. They can also enter your home through tiny cracks and crevices. Once inside, weevils will spread out to other areas in search of food. They are particularly attracted to grains, rice, beans, cereals, seeds, and nuts.

To prevent a weevil infestation, it is recommended to store food in airtight containers. This is because weevils can easily chew through cardboard boxes, paper bags, and even soft plastic containers. Therefore, it is best to use hard plastic or tightly sealed glass containers that keep air out. Additionally, it is important to routinely inspect purchased foods and periodically check cereal and grain products stored in cupboards or pantries.

• Seal up all outside cracks, crevices, and entry points.
• Inspect all potential entry points, no matter how tiny, and ensure they are caulked, trimmed, covered with mesh, or otherwise sealed to prevent weevils from entering.
• Transfer grain products to sealed metal or glass containers.
• Buy dry goods in smaller quantities to prevent storing them for too long.
• Regularly clean pantry and food storage areas, immediately clean up spills, and keep these areas dry as weevils are attracted to moisture.

Frequently asked questions