Rice Weevils in Mid-South TN
Rice weevils are a worldwide pest that can cause big issues for stored dry goods. Living, feeding, and breeding inside food products, these snout-nosed beetles infest not just rice – but also flour, nuts, beans, seeds, cereals, and especially macaroni. More prominent in the southern United States, rice weevil adults can fly and are attracted to light. The larval rice weevil must complete its development inside a seed kernel or a man-made equivalent like pasta.
Rice Weevil Habitat
Rice weevils are sometimes found in homes but are a more serious threat in grain storage facilities, food processing plants, and whole-food markets. Adults can live for 7 to 8 months. The egg, larva, and pupa stages occur inside grain kernels and are rarely seen. Larvae hollow out kernels and burrow out. Holes on the side of the grain are made by adults and emerging adults.
Rice Weevil Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Rice weevils do not harm people, pets, or home furnishings, but they do damage grains and seeds. Their small size makes it possible for them to hide in tiny cracks. Weevils feed on almost every processed, grain-based food consumed by people. Large populations can destroy large quantities of food. They can easily enter small openings in packages and can remain hidden in the pantry for a long time. Homeowners will often spot adult weevils crawling on pantry shelves and floors.
If an infestation is present in your Mid-South TN home, locate and discard all infested material. Contact your local pantry pest control experts for help with rice weevils!
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