Common pantry storage method prompts warning after gross find
A woman has issued a warning about a popular panty storage method after a pest infestation.
Tabby revealed in a TikTok that she had decanted flour and other pantry staples into jars as part of a pantry makeover.
At the time she was warned about the potential for weevils and admitted she hadn't heard of them, but she certainly has now.
Watch the video above.
Tabby found weevils in her flour after decanting pantry supplies into jars. TikTok/@tabbybellhome
"Let this be a warning for anyone who is looking to do a pantry and decant stuff into jars, such as flour because when I first posted my video a few of you were like 'you're gonna get flour weevils', 'careful of flour weevils'," she said.
"I've never heard of them, I never thought they were a thing, I thought 'there is absolutely no way I'm going to get them' – I got them."
When Tabby went to get flour out of the jar she noticed the tiny specks of black crawling around.
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The comments on the video revealed many people are unaware of weevils and that they can still occur in sealed containers.
"WHATTTT how have they got into a sealed tub?!?" a woman asked.
"damn it, i did not need to see this before bed, I've got 3 types of flour in my cupboard and I'm scared now!" a TikToker commented.
"Does this happen to all flour? Have I just never noticed it before? We keep it in the bag rolled over…I'm confused.," one wrote.
"PARDON! I have so many questions! Where do they come from..." another said.Experts 'game-changing' hack restores stained socks
Others responded that weevil eggs are usually already in the flour when it's purchased and they hatch later.
While storing pantry staples in containers with good seals helps with preventing further infestations, the best way to stop weevils is by freezing flour and other dried goods before decanting.
Weevils can infest flour, rice and cornflour. Getty
"I didn't know everyone DOESNT keep their flour in the freezer…it doesn't grow bugs in there," one said.
Another added, "it doesn't freeze in a clump you can still use it straight away, no need to let it thaw."
According to Safeguard Pest Control weevils are a type of beetle that is also known as flour bugs because they're commonly found in flour and rice. They lay tiny eggs and can live up to eight months.
"Weevils live and feed inside the food, so you may not even notice them until it's already too late. Females make a hole into seeds or grains and lay an egg into each one. Then they seal up the entry and leave the egg there to hatch. Once that happens, the larva feeds on the inside until it is fully grown and gets out," the pest experts explained.
Sealed containers are brilliant for keeping pests out but not if they're already in the food. Getty Images/iStockphoto
While grains and cereals infested with weevils are still technically safe if you accidentally eat them, it is best to throw contaminated food away and wash containers and surfaces.
There is the possibility of them spreading mould spores and triggering an allergic reaction in people with mite allergies.
In addition to using airtight containers and freezing dry pantry goods once you get them home from the shops some people swear by popping in a few bay leaves to deter them.
Pantry moths are another pest that can get into things like flour and can be spotted by signs of webbing, larvae and moths flying around.
Moth traps are effective at preventing pantry infestations. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Prevention is similar to the steps listed for weevils, including checking for signs in dry goods you're purchasing and freezing to kill any eggs.
It also helps to throw out old food and keep an eye on your containers, as well as use sticky moth traps to catch them and reveal signs of a potential infestation.
If you have pantry moths, toss out infested food and check containers thoroughly as they can sneak into sealed containers and the edges of lids. Then wash containers and surfaces thoroughly and set up moth traps.
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