ChatterBank27 mins ago
KItchen pests
4 Answers
I'm alarmed to find a mild infestation of minute insects - about the same size as storm flies, in my kitchen cupboard where flour is stored. They shun the light.
Suggestions please as to what they may be and apart from throwing out the affected food, how to eliminate them.
Suggestions please as to what they may be and apart from throwing out the affected food, how to eliminate them.
Answers
I believe they are weevils, they are harmless, and you will often buy flour with unhatched eggs in it making it impossible to avoid them. I regularly clean my cupboards with dettox etc but they always come back. I reckon they're pretty well impossible to eradicate once you've got them cos they'll hide in the tiniest of cracks and gaps in your kitchen cupboards...
22:34 Wed 06th Jan 2010
My Mum used to get these in her flour cupboard. They are so hard to get rid of once they are there. 'something.. mites. Can't remember what the name is now, they look like your flour is moving don't they? Take everything out of the cupboard, give it a good scrub out and store your bags of flour in tupperware containers.
I believe they are weevils, they are harmless, and you will often buy flour with unhatched eggs in it making it impossible to avoid them. I regularly clean my cupboards with dettox etc but they always come back. I reckon they're pretty well impossible to eradicate once you've got them cos they'll hide in the tiniest of cracks and gaps in your kitchen cupboards and drawers. They only seem attracted to wheat based products though - they don't appear to be interested in rice or other dry goods. The idea of freezing flour is interesting, but I honestly believe you will still find them if you look closely enough. Rather than freaking out and having a wholesale purge and spring clean every time you spot one, just remember they are harmless, and just have a good clear out every 6 months or so to keep them under control.