I have bugs in my rice in my cabinet !?

Question

I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinet and noticed little bitty black bugs in my bag of rice. (they were smaller than the rice !) They were also in my spagetti noodles ! EWWW....I never had this problem before. I threw everything away and wiped out the cabinet. Is there a way to keep this from happening again ? I'm afraid to put any kind of food in there again that is not canned !

Answer 1

Yodeladyhoo had it right - bay leaves will keep these insects away (weevils). Weevils will get in almost any flour type product. I would invest in some of those Tupperware containers (or the big glass spaghetti holders) and always put bay leaves in there. I am faithful about the bay leaves, and I never have problems with weevils (official name "boll weevils") in my flour products (everything from flour to spaghetti to grits). However, according to "Heloise," products can contain weevils even before you open them, so here's her "hints."

7:47 PM 2/18/1997

HINTS FROM HELOISE

Food that's infested with weevils usually had them from start
DEAR Heloise: Is there any prevention or cure for weevil infestation?

Lately I have been forced to destroy many boxes of grain products because of this problem. A lot of the packages had not been opened.

This is an expensive insect problem, to say the least.

Please help! -- E. Stanley, Philadelphia, Pa.

It sure can be a real waste of your food dollars, can't it? Usually what happens is that when you bring home a grain product from the store, it is already infested with weevils or their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, they quickly spread to all the other grain products in your pantry.

So unfortunately, as you learned, you need to throw away all of the grain products that are infested with the weevils. This can include pasta, rice, cornmeal, flour, spices and even dry dog food.

Next, take everything out of your pantry and wash down the shelves with hot, soapy water. Then spray the shelves with an insecticide that will kill weevils (it will say so on the label) and be sure to follow the label directions exactly.

Experts suggest you prevent weevils by putting all grain products in your freezer at zero degrees for seven days to kill any eggs. Storing food in large, clear jars or sealable plastic bags will also help prevent infestation from spreading to other foods.

Following is a letter from Mrs. E. Joubert of Metairie, La., about her way of handling weevils that many readers swear by. -- Heloise



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Dear Heloise: One of my all-time favorite hints in the kitchen is placing bay leaves into containers of flour, rice or other dry ingredients.
This eliminates weevils.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Ha ha ha.It's a daily very common thing that happens in my country.
First:the rice flee (not bug) is not dangerous,actually it contains a lot of protein.
Second:They rise because of the high humidity,it could be you put your rice too close to the cold wall or floor.
Third:If you don't want to happen again,you should store your rice in an unhumid place and inside the air-tight container.
Forth:The rice flee is very easy to get rid,by washing the rice.Pour the rice with water,the flee will float on top of the water,then wash away.
Fifth:You must keep the area clean and dry.It won;t happen again.
Good Luck

Answer 3

More than likely they came with the food. Most cabinet bug problems come from the supermarket to your home. YUCK! What I do is I take the item (flour, rice, etc) and AS SOON as I get home from the store I pour it into an air tight container watching as a pour for any buggy friends. I also check again when I go to use the item. There is nothing you can do to stop it except be very careful what you bring home with you.

Answer 4

Well it happens to a of of people. What you may not be aware of is the food industry has specification that allow certain "Bugs" in a very minute quantity. Some grains and cereal products have microscopic bugs that will develop over extended periods of time. They are harmless if consumed. Also, your cleaning method should do the trick, so don't worry. If you want to know where McDonald's Hamburger patties come from ask.

Answer 5

Pretty common; I suggest you keep pasta and rice and indeed all grain-based foods in sealed containers. Actually, if you buy a set of glass containers and put the different pasta and stuff into them, it's kinda cool-looking and decorative for a kitchen. I can't believe I just added that last bit.

Answer 6

It's rice weevils!! They're really yucky to look at. But I've seen my mother put tissue paper in the rice to take the weevils out. Works quite well. It's the rice and spaghetti's problem. Not your cabinet.

Answer 7

My mother keeps her dry goods (pasta, flour, rice, etc.) in the freezer to prevent these bugs. I've never had this problem, but her mother used to have this problem and ever since she's kept her dry goods in the freezer and has never had the problem. Just keep the items inside a freezer bag to prevent the taste of freezer burn.

Answer 8

They are nasty once they get in, they start out as larva and turn into moths, if they are the ones we have in Vermont. I just keep anything like flour and rice in tight jars. I have noticed they can get through plastic bags and cardboard. Some folks use Bay leaves to keep them ...at bay.

Answer 9

Try some bug traps. Also, it is good to have a can of bug spray or two around the house. Furthermore, you may want to call an exterminator to set up a monthly visit.

Answer 10

I got little black bugs once too. They were tiny - almost couldn't see that they were bugs. I put everything in containers now, and am careful wipe up every speck of spilled rice and flour, every crumb. It probably came in from something that you bought.