Quick Take
- A grain of infested rice looks completely normal to the naked eye, and there is a disturbing biological reason why this is the case. See the biological reason →
- The weevils in your rice didn't sneak in through a crack in your pantry. They were already there when you bought the rice. Learn how they get in →
- Tossing the infested bag isn't necessarily the end of the problem. Here's what else needs your attention. Check what else to do →
The online debate of whether you should wash your rice or not has persisted for a while, but after watching this video, you might consider doing it more. Pantry pests like rice weevils sometimes end up in your grains, which can be a shock at first. Although completely harmless to humans, they can ruin your groceries (along with your appetite), targeting foods like rice and other grains. This YouTube video by Deep Look shows these little insects up close and discusses how they can invade your pantry. Read here to learn more.
Rice weevils use rice grains for both food and reproduction, and lay their eggs inside the grains.
©Suntezza/Shutterstock.com
About the Rice Weevil
Rice weevils are tiny beetles that survive by eating grains. This means that they are naturally a nuisance to humans, as they sometimes infest our food. Adult rice weevils are about 2-3 mm long—much smaller than most grains of rice—and are typically reddish-brown, which can make them somewhat difficult to spot. One of their most defining features is their snouts, which they use to consume hard grains. Unfortunately, when these little guys turn up in your rice, it’s because they were already inside the rice that you bought at the store. This makes it important to check your rice for an infestation before checking out at the grocery store. Luckily, they aren’t dangerous to humans in any way, and the most damage they can do is waste your money. While they are mostly found in rice, they feed on any dry grain or seed, like pasta, wheat, beans, and corn.
These beetles are found worldwide, making an unfortunate infestation a relatable experience regardless of who you are. Female rice weevils eat rice not only for energy but also for reproduction. They chew holes into a grain, lay an egg inside, then seal it shut. So, an infected grain of rice can appear normal to the naked eye. After several days, the egg hatches, and the larva lives inside the grain for several weeks, eating its way out as it develops. Rice weevils can reproduce pretty quickly as well, with a female able to lay about 300 to 400 eggs in a lifetime. As the video above shows, a jar of rice can be completely transformed over eight months. If you buy a bag of rice with one of these little insects inside, it’s best to either dispose of the bag or return it to the store if unopened.
What To Do
If you dispose of your infested bag of rice but are concerned the bugs may still be in your home, there are a few things you can do for peace of mind. As long as you keep your grains separated and sealed, it’s unlikely you’ll have anything to worry about. However, you can always check your other grains like pasta, cereals, and flours for the little insects. You can also clean and vacuum your pantries and kitchen to pick up any remaining individual grains. Even one grain of rice can be a food source, so it’s important to keep the environment clean. In the future, stay vigilant and regularly check your grains for any unwanted guests.
