How to Get Rid of Bugs In Your Stored Grains

I just opened a container of brown rice infested with grain weevils. Would you still eat it? Insect infestations are preventable if you package the food correctly. Purchase quality dry goods, repackage them in an airtight container with a fresh oxygen absorber, and store them in a cool, dry, dark location.

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[dianehansen]

I would do the same as my grandparents and my parents. They sifted out the bugs they could find. Then before using the oats, grain, etc. they would soak it in water to get the rest of the pesky critters to float to the top. Food was too scarce to waste.👍

[jimmiepatrum]

Thank you for not throwing away the food and showing us how to save it. Diane

[EssentialTam]

For "short term" pantry it's good to put in bay leaves. Mid and long term definitely package with all the anti-creature bells n whistles. It's a good reminder, because we all know sometimes the purchases come fast and heavy and the packaging...not so much!😅

[MyBarkCompany]

from my mom who grew up in the depression and was an RN Nurse Practitioner... said to freeze everything / grain, flour for 4 days. then package and seal

[wearetheresistanceprepping]

I think many people would be surprised at how mush bug matter is in foods.

[tammypoppino]

I immediately freeze rice and flour when bought. I transfer flour to plastic bags then freeze them. Once at rm temp I put in mason jars.

[Tru]

I put diatomaceous earth throughout. It has to washed any way.

[chachab]

Just threw out many packaged grains yesterday. I must go through th a temporary cabinet make a sure no more visible.😮

[jeanmuehlfelt]

I made the mistake of freezing the instant oatmeal when we arrived at a volunteer apt in S.E. Asia. I ended up with lots of tiny frozen bugs. I sifted out most of the bugs but just used the oatmeal with protein in it. Jetlag is a killer when it takes 3 days to get to a mission compound. The oatmeal was tasty after cooking. :-)

[tammieaf]

I do the freeze 3 days, thaw 1 day, freeze 3 days, thaw a few days, then seal it in separate containers with 2-4 servings in each. Then I store them in the larger sealed containers. Of course, I don't have a large family to feed and don't need as much at once.

[karinhart]

I thought I leaned on your channel several years ago to put the bag of rice or qt canister of steel cut oats into the freezer for like a week to Kelly the creepies, then put into either long term or short term storage.

[tracierondeau]

Put small bowls of bay leaves in cupboards beforehand tho this is for roaches they don't like smell I have those same vtop containers so not good to know they're not tight

[sandraburke]

I believe our Rice was ALREADY BUGGY when purchased, I too experienced this issue but I found it prior to re-packaging.

[primordial_platypus]

Don’t bugs count as protein?

If I needed to save it, just sift the bugs out (multiple methods to do this) and make sure to cook it well when used to catch anything left.

[sandraburke]

Bugs in bags are No different than sharing your garden or wild food growth with the wildlife.

[justnana]

Most people would say they would never eat it because it HAD bugs in it but they are just being silly in my opinion.