What is a weevil, and what does it look like?
A weevil is a type of beetle. The species has many different subgroups, which might present different looks and characteristics. In fact, there might be over 1,000 weevil species in North America alone. Weevils might showcase different body shapes and colors, ranging from brown to black. They are commonly recognizable for their oval or slender body shapes. Their size might vary from approximately 3mm to just over 10mm in length.
What are the signs of a weevil infestation?
Signs of a weevil infestation can include:
Adult Weevils in Stored Food:
Finding small, dark beetle-like insects in or around your dry pantry items (such as flour, rice, pasta, cereal, or nuts) is a common indicator. Weevils are typically a few millimeters long and may be seen crawling inside storage containers or on countertops.
Holes in Grains or Seeds:
Weevil larvae develop inside kernels of grain or seeds. You may notice tiny holes or tunnels in your stored foods as a result of their feeding.
Clumping or Webbing in Stored Products:
Some weevils may cause the food they infest to clump together due to moisture and feeding activity. In severe cases, you might see a slight web-like residue.
Reduced Quality or Off-odor in Food:
Infested products may have a musty smell or altered taste. Additionally, the texture of the food might seem crumbly or less fresh.
If you spot these signs, it’s best to discard the affected products, thoroughly clean your pantry, and store new goods in sealed, airtight containers to prevent future infestations.
Are weevils dangerous?
Weevils are particularly common pests, and they can easily make their way into households from the yard, although one of the most common ways for them to enter your home is through food packaging. Weevil eggs can be found in flour packages, and even a small leak could be enough for a weevil to creep in and lay eggs. Weevil eggs are almost invisible to the naked eye, even upon close inspection. Therefore, purchasing contaminated food products without even realizing it is easy. It is highly recommended to always inspect packaging of food items such as rice, pasta, bread, cereals, flour or other grains, before introducing them into your pantry.
While weevils are not dangerous, they can really cause anxiety to homeowners as they infest a home by the hundreds.
If you have weevils in your home or business, call us today for a free, no-obligation inspection.
