How to Get Rid of Weevils in Cupboards Naturally
How to Get Rid of Weevils in Cupboards Naturally. Of the many pantry pests that can and will infest your stored foods, several of them are beetles. The term "weevil" is applied as a generalization, although only a few actual weevils -- which are a type of beetle -- infest stored foods. Sometimes these pests will come into your house from...
Of the many pantry pests that can and will infest your stored foods, several of them are beetles. The term "weevil" is applied as a generalization, although only a few actual weevils -- which are a type of beetle -- infest stored foods. Sometimes these pests will come into your house from the outdoors, but more often they start in the processing facility or during transit. Insecticides and other pesticides are not commonly used to destroy pantry pests; sanitization is the key to eliminating infestations. You'll most commonly discover the problem by seeing the adult pest -- although egg, larval and pupal stages are frequently a problem. The larval stage is the most damaging.
Things You'll Need
Vacuum
Air-tight storage containers
Find the source of the infestation. This may be difficult if you have many stored grains. Look through all of your stored foods and examine for larval stages, that is, grubs or caterpillars, and eggs. Some larvae will build cocoons or webbing, making them easier to spot.
Remove any infested products. If you are unsure if an item is infested, it is better to err on the side of caution and remove it anyway.
Clean and vacuum out your infested cabinets. Dump the vacuum canister or bag in the outdoor trash bin to prevent re-infestation.
Heat products that may be infested in the microwave, or for one hour at 140 degrees F in the oven, if you want to salvage them. You can also freeze the products for three to four days. The heat or cold will kill all stages of the pest.
Store all products in air-tight containers of glass or thick plastic. Most pantry pests can and will chew through plastic bags, paper and cardboard.
Tips & Warnings
Store your products in the freezer if possible to prevent infestation. Heat other products in the microwave upon purchase to kill any eggs.
Check out these related posts