- 1). Inspect packaging before buying whenever possible, looking for small holes in the bag and any visible infestation inside. Grain weevils can chew through cardboard and plastic, so holes in such material are often a good indication of infestation.
- 2). Transport the grain out of the original packaging and into a tightly closed, heavy plastic, glass or metal container. Weevil's can't chew through these stronger materials, making them better suited than thin plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Ensure that the seal is as tight as possible so no pests slide through the seal.
- 3). Vacuum the areas of your kitchen where you regularly store grain, like the pantry. Ensure you vacuum all small crevices and cracks where weevils may be hiding. Get any spilled grain, which is an easy target for weevils and may already be infested. After vacuuming, empty the vacuum outside, away from your grain.
- 4). Store the grain in the freezer until use. Grain weevil's can't survive freezing temperatures, so this both prevents infestation and kills any weevils or larvae already present.
- 5). Discard any clearly infested grain. Even though freezing it will kill the weevils, you still don't want to eat them. If you've already noticed an infestation, consider throwing away any grains not already stored in glass, metal or heavy plastic to be on the safe side.
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