How to identify and treat wheat weevils

Have you ever opened up a box of cereal, a bag of flour, or a jar of wheat and found an unexpected guest? Those little nibblers with their adorable snouts can be a lot of trouble. The truth is, they've been with us for millennia, sneaking into our grains and robbing us of our hard work. But how does this small weevil get around without the ability to fly or crawl very far?

That's our fault. Since the Stone Age, we've been trading, selling, and buying wheat, rice, corn, and oats, passing along this pest.

Wheat weevils, or granary weevils, love to munch on grains and can make quite a mess of your stored food. Understanding the granary weevil's life cycle and behaviors not only helps in identifying an infestation but also in effectively managing it, ensuring that your pantry remains free from these unwelcome guests.

Granary weevils are small dark beetles, best identified by their prominent snout, which makes them easy to distinguish from other pantry pests. They are usually dark brown to black and cannot fly due to their lack of wings.

Identifying a granary weevil infestation typically involves spotting the adult weevils in grain products or noticing the damage they cause, such as holes in grains where the females have laid their eggs. Homeowners might also find flour or meal products appearing clumped together, as larvae and adults feed within.

How big are wheat weevils?

Adults are typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.

What other pest looks like a wheat weevil?

Wheat weevils are often confused with rice weevils; however, rice weevils can fly.

Granary weevils are found throughout the United States, particularly in homes or facilities where grain products are stored. You can find them inside your pantry or wherever you store grains, cereals, or flour.

Keeping wheat weevils out of your pantry can be tricky. That's because they usually hitch a ride inside your grains and flour already. However, be observant and practical with your stored grains, and you can prevent a full-blown infestation from happening.

Here are some tips to help you out:

• Inspect all grains: Check all grain products upon purchase and before you store them for the long term. Throw out any infested items.
• Store properly: Use tightly sealed glass or metal containers to store grains.
• Freeze potential infestations: Freeze grains for at least four days to kill any eggs or weevils.
• Keep pantry clean: Regularly clean pantry shelves to remove food residues and potential hiding spots.

While you can't always control when you might find grain weevils in your wheat or flour, you can keep them from making a huge mess of your food with a little work.