Whenever you open your pantry door, you probably expect to see canned goods, boxed grains, and packaged snacks—not creepy crawlies lurking on the shelves. Weevils (primarily rice and granary varieties) are a particular type of pest that loves rummaging through and hiding out in household pantries. Since these tiny beetles with long noses nibble on dry grains like pasta and cereal, according to Molly Keck, program specialist in integrated pest management at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, they could be taking refuge in your shelf-stable food.
Although weevils aren’t harmful to your health or house, they definitely make the invaded food items a lot less appetizing. Plus, these insects multiply fast. “They lay their eggs in this food source, feed on it as larvae, pupate, and emerge as adults,” Keck explains. While discovering weevils in your pantry is never a welcome surprise, luckily, they’re easy to eliminate—and keep from coming back. If you’re dealing with weevils in your pantry, here are the likely places they’re hiding and the best way to get rid of them.
Pantry Items That Attract Weevils
Weevils primarily seek out starches, grains, and seeds to feed their larvae and lay their eggs. Thanks to their long noses, weevils seamlessly chew through the packaging, which makes these food items easily accessible to them.
Dry Grains
Grain products like rice, pasta, flour, and cereal are some of the top food sources for weevils. Not only do these pantry items give weevils all the nutrients they need, but they also provide an easy entry point for weevils to reproduce and fuel larvae. Because these bugs lay their eggs inside tiny grain particles, the package that you pick up from the grocery store might look completely fine, but it could secretly harbor weevils.
Nuts, Seeds, and Legumes
Another sought-after food source for weevils are nuts like walnuts and almonds, seeds like chia seeds and sunflower seeds, and legumes like peanuts and dried lentils. Although they’re less enticing than grains, the high-fat, calorically dense nutrient profile is the perfect sustenance for weevils. Plus, the smell lure weevils in. With hard outer shells, these food products provide safe shelter for larvae, and just like grains, the eggs arrive from the store, waiting to hatch until they’re safe inside your pantry.
Corn Products
Corn products, such as cornmeal, grits, and popcorn kernels, attract weevils based on their nutrient content, shelter potential, and accessibility. They offer all the moisture and carbohydrates that larvae need to grow and hatch, and the enclosed construction makes the ideal environment. As with other dry goods, the insects may already be present in the package before you bring it home.
Pet Food
Dry pet food, especially if it’s open or has been sitting on your shelves for weeks, is a big source of nourishment for weevils. Dry dog and cat food are made up of grains that weevils love to munch on, plus they release strong scents that naturally entice pantry pests. Again, the microscopic eggs are usually present before you buy a bag, and they hatch only once they’re inside a warm, humid pantry.
How to Get Rid of Weevils in Your Pantry
Although there are plenty of pantry items that attract weevils, eliminating them is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to get rid of these pesky pantry pests:
Toss the Food Source
As Keck puts it, the “very simple” solution entails “finding the food source and throwing it out.” Check all the likely suspects, especially rice, flour, pasta, cereal, and dry goods forgotten about in the back, and toss any packages that have tiny holes or small bugs moving around.
Clean the Pantry
Next, remove any lingering insects or eggs by vacuuming the shelves and paying special attention to the corners and cracks. For a thorough cleaning, wipe down the surface with warm, soapy water or a natural solution made with equal parts white vinegar and water.
Use Airtight Containers
To prevent future weevil infestations, transfer your dry goods from their current packaging to airtight containers. Storing grains in glass, plastic, or metal containers with sealed lids will keep weevils from chewing through them.
Freeze Susceptible Foods
If you’re worried about weevil eggs hiding in your newly purchased grains, you can freeze the products for a few days before stashing them in your pantry. The frigid temperatures will kill any insects or larvae that might be living in the package.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
