Is it OK to use flour with weevils?

Eating weevil-infested flour certainly isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, but rest assured that it won’t kill you. They’re harmless! If you notice weevils getting down-and-dirty in your flour after you’ve already used it, try not to panic.

What kind of weevils are in flour?

Contrary to its name, the flour weevil is not a true weevil. The insect that is usually called the flour weevil is probably the red flour beetle or confused flour beetle. Flour beetles are metallic-hued and ovoid in shape. They often appear reddish brown and measure approximately 3 to 4 mm in length.

How do weevils get into sealed flour?

But unlike beetles that live and feed on foods, these weevils actually live and feed inside the food. The female chews a hole into a seed or grain kernel and deposits an egg inside, then seals up the opening, leaving the egg behind.

What to do if flour has weevils?

Discard any food that has weevils. Check your flour and pantry products for them and if you find weevils, throw away the food. If you don’t see weevils, you can store and use the flour or food. You shouldn’t eat any food that could contain live weevils.

How do you know if flour has weevils?

Another way is to spread some flour on your kitchen countertop. Make sure you leave the top layer smooth. Let it sit there for half an hour or so. If the surface is not smooth, as you left it, you have flour weevils or mites.

Why do you get weevils in flour?

Unlike other insects that climb into flour, weevils live and feed inside the food. The female will chew a hole into the grain kernel, depositing the egg inside. When the egg hatches, you will notice weevils inside your flour. If you’ve opened your flour and found it crawling with small pests, you probably have weevils.

How do I get rid of flour weevils?

Eliminate Grain Weevils

Discard any infested foods.
Vacuum pantry shelves, cracks, and crevices.
Wipe shelves with white vinegar.
Dispose of garbage and vacuum bags outside, away from the home.
Check regularly for reappearance — it may take awhile to get rid of them completely.

Can you see flour mites?

Flour mites are very small almost impossible to see, especially in flour. Their bodies are white with light brown legs. There are many different species of flour mites, also known as grain mites and kitchen mites, but they all look similar, especially to the naked, untrained eye.

Can I eat rice that has weevils?

If you’ve discovered weevils after you’ve eaten your rice meal, don’t panic. Bugs found in rice aren’t poisonous. Eating one or two, or their eggs and larvae, won’t hurt you — it just may make you a bit squeamish.