Weevils are tiny beetles known for infesting dried foods such as grains and flour. But can weevils fly? The answer depends on the species.
Weevil infestations spread rapidly, so it’s important to act quickly if you spot weevils in your food. Throw the infested food away immediately, clean out your pantry and call in a pest control specialist to control the weevil population.
Can Weevils Fly?
Can weevils fly? The answer is not cut and dry, as some weevil species can fly and some cannot. However, the two weevil species that commonly infest pantry items, the rice weevil and the maize weevil, do fly.
One way that weevils can reach your panty items is by flying. They can also enter a home if you have purchased a package at the grocery store that they have infested. They enter your home by flying through your vents, windows or doors and then find their way to your kitchen. From there, they infest your grains, such as cereal and rice.
While it’s more common to encounter weevils in your home that do fly, one common weevil species does not fly but is also known for infesting homes. Instead of flying, the granary weevil burrows into grains and other stored food.
Another common type of weevil is the wheat weevil. While wheat weevils do not fly, some of them still have wings.
Common Types of Weevils
It’s helpful for homeowners to learn how to identify different weevil species so that they know what kind of infestation they’re dealing with.
Rice Weevils
Rice weevils are tiny brown-black beetles that infest rice, flour and other grains. They are strong flyers and reproduce rapidly.
Maize Weevils
Maize weevils can also fly, and they look similar to rice weevils. However, they are primarily known for infesting corn. If they cannot access corn, they will also infest other grains. Both rice and maize weevils can enter your home by flying into open doors, windows or vents.
Granary Weevils
Finally, granary weevils do not fly, but they still contaminate your food by burrowing into it and laying eggs. Since they don’t fly, they enter your home through contaminated grain products. These pests reproduce quickly and can quickly become a large infestation.
How to Remove Weevils From Your Home
If you find weevils in your pantry, dispose of the infested food immediately. There are a few signs you can look for to identify a weevil infestation in your food. For example, you may spot live weevils or weevil eggs.
However, weevils and their eggs are tiny and hard to spot amidst the grains. Another sign to look for is small holes in your food packaging.
Once you discard contaminated food, the next step is to vacuum your entire pantry to remove the rest of the weevils. Pay close attention to your shelves and pantry corners. After vacuuming, wipe down your pantry shelves with water and vinegar to deter the weevils from returning. Make sure you wipe around any cracks.
You can also prevent repeat infestations by storing your food in airtight containers that weevils can’t access. For example, transfer your cereal from a cardboard box into a sealed container.
Weevils can chew through cardboard and flimsy plastic, so choosing airtight containers made of glass or sturdy plastic is important. In addition to your cereal, store your other grains, flour and pasta in airtight containers.
Lastly, inspect your home for potential weevil entry points and seal them up to keep the weevils from coming back. Remember that weevils are tiny pests and do not need a large opening to enter your home. Since some weevils can fly, inspect both high and low places.
The most effective and efficient way to control weevils and prevent them from returning is to work with a pest control specialist. An expert will have the right tools to control the infestation, and they can put long-term prevention methods in place to deter weevils in the future.
Do Weevils Have Wings?
Do weevils have wings? The answer depends on the species. Since some weevils fly and some do not, some species of weevils have wings and some do not. However, like wheat weevils, some weevil species have wings but do not fly.
There are over 60,000 species of weevils around the world, and while they all share similarities, they also vary by appearance and behavior.
For example, flying weevils such as rice and maize weevils have two sets of fully developed wings. One pair, the forewings, is harder because it is meant to protect the more delicate hindwings. The hindwings are the pair that these weevils use to fly.
The ability to fly makes it easier for these weevils to enter your home and access more food sources.
Some non-flying weevils do not have any wings, while some have an outer set of forewings. However, they do not have a second set of hindwings, so they cannot fly. Non-flying weevils crawl around and burrow into food, and they enter your home through food that is already contaminated.
Key Traits All Weevils Have in Common
Even though there are thousands of weevil species, they share many similarities. First, all weevils are tiny pests that are typically less than a quarter of an inch, while some species can be as big as three inches. Their small size is how they can hide in grains and go unnoticed.
Next, weevils are known for their long and curved snouts, which they use to burrow into grains to lay their eggs where they are out of sight.
Weevils can range in color depending on species, but they are typically brown, black or reddish-brown.
All weevils are dependent on a food source and attracted to dry foods. Not only do they use their food source for sustenance, but they also lay their eggs in their food source. Weevil larvae begin feeding on grains immediately after they hatch, which is how weevil populations grow so quickly.
A tell-tale sign of weevils is damage to your stored food. You may find holes in your food packaging or notice hollowed-out grains. Weevil-infested food may also contain weevil droppings or webbing, which cause the grains to clump together.
Contact a pest control service if you spot a weevil infestation in your food. Weevil infestations grow rapidly, so taking swift action to control these unwanted pests is important.
Scheduling a regular inspection with a pest control service is a good idea. The experts can look out for various infestations, such as red fire ants.
Can Weevils Infest Your House?
Can weevils infest your house? Yes, many weevil species can and will infest your house. In fact, since weevils feed on and live in dried food, your kitchen pantry is their version of paradise.
The most common types of weevils that infest your home are rice weevils, maize weevils and granary weevils. All three of these species feed on and lay their eggs in grains, and their indiscreet appearance allows them to go unnoticed while they quickly grow their colony.
Weevils can get into your house in a few ways. Flying weevils will fly in through your windows, doors or vents and then find their way to your kitchen. Non-flying weevils may crawl into your home through various entry points. Both flying and non-flying weevils may also enter through contaminated food.
Weevil infestations spread quickly because the pests lay their eggs in the same grains they feed on. Once the weevil eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the grains until adulthood, and then they look for new grains to infest.
How to Deter a Weevil Infestation
You can help limit the likelihood of a weevil infestation by keeping your kitchen and pantry clean. You should also store dry food in airtight containers that weevils cannot chew through. Before transferring the food to the container, inspect it for weevils and throw out any infested food immediately.
Rotating and restocking your dry foods regularly can also help keep weevils away. Lastly, check your home for potential weevil entry points and seal them up.
For more tips on how to keep weevils away, contact a pest control specialist. An expert can consult you on various common pests, including the wolf spider.
Get Rid of Frustrating Weevils With Professional Help
There’s nothing worse than opening a box of cereal and discovering weevils. Unfortunately, weevil infestations spread rapidly, so it’s likely that they’re already in your other food items as well. The best way to get rid of weevils is to address the infestation head-on with the help of a professional pest control service.
The experts have the right tools and experience to control weevils and implement long-term prevention methods.
ABC Can Treat for Weevils
Wheat weevils can be difficult to control because of how quickly they reproduce. Instead of battling these pests on your own, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our professionals can come up with an effective pest treatment plan, so you can feel comfortable when you go to grab food out of your pantry. Plus, our team can help you get rid of ants, cockroaches and other household pests.
