Bread weevils are small beetles. of the woodworm family which only grow up to a few millimeters in size.

These types of beetles appear in pantries and do not transmit diseases, but they are obviously a nuisance. The baked goods, pasta, herbal teas, and starchy foods They are its main objectives. The problem is when they appear at home they can become very resistant.

What are bread weevils like and what foods do they attack?

Bread weevils are only about three millimeters in size. Therefore, They are not always recognized with the naked eye. Their bodies are reddish brown and adult beetles can fly. However, it is the bread weevil larvae that cause damage. They are white and measure up to five millimeters long.

The larvae attack baked goods such as bread, but also cakes, cookies, pasta, legumes, chocolate, spices, as well as dried aromatic plants.

Starchy foods such as flour and cereals are especially at risk. Bread weevils can even eat books.

Effectively fights bread weevils

Bread weevils are not a threat to your health, so the food affected by its presence remains suitable for consumption, after the beetles have been removed.

HoweverIf you eat the affected foods slowly, you will not completely eliminate the pest. nor will you be able to prevent it from spreading. It is best to do the following to combat it:

• Throw away all contaminated foods and also throw away open containers that you have stored next to visibly affected foods.
• If you are not sure which foods are infested For bread weevils, freeze the products for a day or put them in the oven for about half an hour at a temperature of 60 ªC.
• Completely empty the pantry or closet, Vacuum the shelves and wipe them with a damp cloth. It is best to add a splash of vinegar to the cleaning water.
• Look for bread weevils on the shelves and dust off the books thoroughly at least once a month.
• Place fresh bay leaves in the corners of the kitchen that have been affected. Don’t use dried bay leaf because it doesn’t work. If you squeeze the leaves a little they will be more effective. When you no longer smell their smell, you should change them for new ones.
• In hard-to-reach areas, such as joints or cracks, use a hair dryer. at maximum temperature to eliminate the larvae.
• To get rid of beetles that hang around your food, you can use diatomaceous earth made from algae. It is a natural insecticide, deadly to weevils and insects, but harmless to people. It must be used as indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prevent bread weevils and other stored food pests

The following tips will help you ensure that you do not have to fight bread weevils i.e. do active prevention:

• Pests can enter products through plastic film or paper packaging. If you are storing cakes or cookies for longer than normal, place them in sturdy storage boxes made of tin, glass or hard plastic. The same goes for flour. If you do not have this type of containers, you can use glass jars with lids.
• It is better that you transfer your food to airtight containers immediately after purchase. If you buy from a bulk store, you can take your containers and fill them right there.
• Do not store bread in a bag or open container, but in a bread basket made of wood, clay or metal.
• Mosquito nets on the windows They can help you prevent bread weevils from flying into the house and depositing their larvae there, and they will also protect you from other annoying insects.