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weevils in flour.
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No matter whether I buy cheap or expensive flour it always seems to have weevils in it, It never used to and the storage area hasn't changed. Anyone else out there with a similar problem, what's the cause, what's the answer ???
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.If you are in the UK, buy Homepride flour, it comes in cardboard containers that are totally sealed. I always buy Homepride as there is no way any insect could penetrate their seal.
Here is a link to explain about psocids - the tiny mite usually found in flours.
http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/services/environme nt/health/pests/psocids.htm
Here is a link to explain about psocids - the tiny mite usually found in flours.
http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/services/environme nt/health/pests/psocids.htm
This usually happens to old flour. But since you said you have been buying different kinds of flours and you are sill having the same weevil problem, then it sounds like you have weevils in your cupboard or pantry. Empty your cupboards and give it a good cleaning and let it air out before repacking.
The flour is not out of date SEpt 2008, I opened new one yesterday Homepride and saw one on the top - they are v tiny. I use a lot of flour for baking etc. Is it that the flour is not sterilised like to used to be or because I keep it in the kitchen cupboard where it is warmer. Everything else is ok in the cupboard.
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hi manofsteel
In my old house I got weevils all the time in my flour be it a new bag or an opened bag still in date
In this new house I don't get any. I would say my old kitchen was damper than my new one as it was not so open and the tumble drier used to steam up the room where as in this house it doesn't do that.
Do you have a tin you can store it in? Like a large sweety tin for example?
In my old house I got weevils all the time in my flour be it a new bag or an opened bag still in date
In this new house I don't get any. I would say my old kitchen was damper than my new one as it was not so open and the tumble drier used to steam up the room where as in this house it doesn't do that.
Do you have a tin you can store it in? Like a large sweety tin for example?
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Thanks all for advice. I have now cleaned and disinfected all cupboards and thrown out everything that wasn't sealed. I have even spray all cupboards with fly killer and let them dry out. I shall see what happens now. I will freeze as suggested for a day and then keep in fridge. Once again many thanks.
If these are biscuit beetles rather than weevils (weevils have an elongated mouthpiece, beetles do not) they will be able to bite through the cardboard container of Homepride or any other packaging that is not glass or a robust plastic. They have even been known to eat through some metals. I have been amazed to find holes in all sorts of packaging material. You MUST store all flour, pasta, cereals and related products in glass or Tupperware containers.
I have just this morning opened two bags (both previously un-opened) of Asda Basics Self Raising Flour, both in date one being November 2012 and the other January 2013 and both bags contained so many Weevils (little black/brown crawlies) that I am suprised the bags hadnt walked off the shelf by themselves, I also found them in an un-opened bag of sugar and two boxes of Cupasoup stored on the same shelf, I have never had a problem in the 6 years I have lived in this house with any type of Weevil in my food cupboards and I do believe that the infestation was already present in the flour when I bought it, I have used the same cupboard to store un-opened dried goods since I moved into the house and always keep them clean. I havent found any of the nasty little blighters in any of my other food cupboards or any other dried foodstuff nor have I found any wandering around the cupboard shelves or back and sides of the cupboard. I have thrown out all the dried goods from the cupboard and given it and any jars/bottles a good wash down with a bleach based cleaner but how can I be 100% sure there are no more lurking about and how can I prevent reinfestation. I keep opened dried foodstuffs in AnyLock Bags which seal with a rod in a different cupboard and they are fine (believe me I have checked each and every one thoroughly) but I am worried to the point of being paranoid that they are still there or will return ..... Anyone got any tried and tested ways at keeping them out !!!