Most of us have opened an ancient bag of white flour from the back of our pantry and discovered something horrific — bugs, otherwise knows as flour weevils. These little bugs are actually in the beetle family and are specifically attracted to flour, except — health food folks, rejoice — whole wheat flour. If you arent down to make the switch, theres some bad news: Its very difficult weevils from invading your flour because these bugs are prevalent. It starts at the mill, so you have little hope of preventing as infestation. Once you have a bag with a female beetle its game over. She lays eggs in the food and packaging, and theyre so small that theyre hard to detect. Its almost certain that anyone who has used white flour has consumed these tiny beetles in some form (via Extra Crispy). These little bugs are no doubt disgusting, but are they dangerous?
You can also try placing a few garlic cloves or bay leaves inside the bag of flour to ward off weevils (assuming you dont mind some potential garlic flavor in your food). This is an easy way to deter the creatures without storing your flour in the freezer all of the time.
The easiest way to keep weevils from getting into your flour is to store it in airtight containers. The freezer may also be your friend here. Freezing flour kills and weevil eggs and larvae, which will end an infestation before it can begin. Even if you dont want to store your flour in the freezer all the time, placing it there for a day or two after buying is a good way to ensure the flour will be safe from weevils.
Its pretty unsettling to see something moving inside your bag of flour, to say the least. And if you werent aware of this possibility, then you likely havent heard of weevils. These brown beetles are larger than flour mites and tend to have hairs on their bodies that shimmer (via Pest Defense). Unfortunately, it is entirely possible to overlook these bugs until after youve used infested flour. That means you may have ingested some of these beetles, yes. However much this might gross you out, you can relax a bit, as there is some good news.
Of course, few are probably excited about the prospect of chowing down on weevils, so prevention is key.
Weevils do not sting or bite and — especially key here — are not poisonous, meaning you dont have to be afraid of coming in contact with these bugs. Even though you likely do not want to eat weevils, it is safe to consume these little beetles. In fact, using weevil infested flour for cooking or baking means that it will be heated to a point where its safe to consume again, as the heat kills both weevil eggs, larvae, and adults (via Grove).
Most of us have opened an ancient bag of white flour from the back of our pantry and discovered something horrific — bugs, otherwise knows as flour weevils. These little bugs are actually in the beetle family and are specifically attracted to flour, except — health food folks, rejoice — whole wheat flour. If you arent down to make the switch, theres some bad news: Its very difficult weevils from invading your flour because these bugs are prevalent. It starts at the mill, so you have little hope of preventing as infestation. Once you have a bag with a female beetle its game over. She lays eggs in the food and packaging, and theyre so small that theyre hard to detect. Its almost certain that anyone who has used white flour has consumed these tiny beetles in some form (via Extra Crispy). These little bugs are no doubt disgusting, but are they dangerous?
Lightly infested products — which many of us have in our cupboards without knowing — can be consumed safely. If youre concerned about flour weevil consumption, its recommended that you heat the flour up before eating it, or you can freeze it for four days. Just be sure not to microwave the flour on its own because you might have another issue on your plate — a fire. If you have a really intense case of weevils, definitely throw the product in the trash bin because it could be spoiled or a source of foodborne illness (via the University of Idaho).
No one wants to start a fun baking session with an abundance of small critters in their ingredients, but luckily there are ways to prevent these party-crashers, provided they arent already present from the mill. The easiest method is to simply store your flour correctly — yes theres a right and a wrong way to store flour. Keep it in an air-tight, sealed container instead of the paper bag it comes in. If you are still feeling nervous about the whole thing, you can just stick it in the freezer and save yourself from the uncomfortable encounter.
Bugs In The Flour Can It Be Saved?
Can you eat weevil infested flour?
In fact, using weevil infested flour for cooking or baking means that it will be heated to a point where it’s safe to consume again, as the heat kills both weevil eggs, larvae, and adults (via Grove ). Of course, few are probably excited about the prospect of chowing down on weevils, so prevention is key.
Why does one crave wheat flour daily?
Contrary to what some gurus say out there, wheat flour is not addictive. Self consumption is due to ease and social issues.
How do you get rid of flour weevils?
Use a vinegar spray as an effective and natural way to get rid of flour weevils from pantries. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle to make a vinegar flour bug spray. Spray the solution on shelves and surfaces and leave it to dry. The pungent vinegar smell will soon disappear.
How do weevils get into flour?
Weevils typically get into flour during production or from nearby infested foodstuffs in your pantry. Unlike typical beetles, female weevils lay eggs inside the wheat kernel. And despite the processing, the eggs can survive in flour and find their way into your home, where they hatch, pupate, and grow into nasty pantry bugs.