What causes black live bugs to go in sealed packs of dry food, grains, popcorn, splitpea?!


Question: its happened to me a few times,, i see all these little black bugs walking in my cupboards, then when i search i find them coming from my opened pack of split peas!
today i went to make popcorn out of a sealed pack and it was full of these crawling little bugs,,, and the expiry date is august 2008!
why do they come?,, and how?, what r they,,,, thanks xxxxxxxxx


Answers: its happened to me a few times,, i see all these little black bugs walking in my cupboards, then when i search i find them coming from my opened pack of split peas!
today i went to make popcorn out of a sealed pack and it was full of these crawling little bugs,,, and the expiry date is august 2008!
why do they come?,, and how?, what r they,,,, thanks xxxxxxxxx

actually these bugs come from the food grains itself so it really doesnt matter if the packet is sealed or not....when the crop is being harvested and stored some of these insects hatch their eggs inside the grain itself (if you look at a some desi chick peas, the brown ones with a white dot on it, keep it for a little time and you will see an insect coming out of it and a hole has been created) hence when the grains are processed and packed some of the eggs remain and eventually they hatch into the insects....hope this helps

A variety of different insects attack cereals, flour, herbs, spices, chocolate, dried fruits and similar items in our homes. A few of these insects may be present but go unnoticed. The pests are usually not noticed in the home until they become abundant.

Insects found in flour and cereal are often referred to as weevils; however, the most common insect pantry pest in Pennsylvania is the Indian meal moth. It prefers such foods as chocolate, dried fruits, bird feed, and dry dog food. A common flour, pasta and cereal pest is the saw-toothed grain beetle. Various other species of beetles are also common pantry pests and infest a wide variety of food items. Cigarette beetles and drugstore beetles are occasional pests, but they prefer dried plant materials such as herbs and spices.

How do these pests get into our food? Occasionally, some may find their way inside from outdoors; however, the majority of these pests are in food products brought into the home. The initial infestation can originate at the processing plant, the warehouse, the delivery vehicle, or the retail store (chances of becoming infested increase the longer a food item is stored at the same location).

Beetles and moths have four stages in their development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. All stages may be present in the food, but the eggs are so tiny they are seldom seen. The larval stage is most destructive, but the adult stage is most often seen.

Freezing the food items for 24 hours will kill eggs and then putting in your pantry.I do this with my flour.

it depends a lot on the conditions at the point of packaging... the bugs probably came as eggs in the package and then hatched...

I've had the same problem...

sitting here thinking about the problem... I wonder if freezing the product would change the outcome ?

When you buy it at the store, if it's been sitting on the shelf for a while, they are usually found in the flour, then when you put the flour in your cupboards, it's a haven for these little critters (in the USA, they are called "flour beetles" or "maggots"). The best thing to do is shop in a super market that restocks their shelves often. I bought a bag of flour from a local variety store and I brought them home with me. I had to discard all my boxed food and fumigate my cupboards with bug fogger. I used "Hot Shot". It comes in a fog can, but you have to open all your cupboards and closets, be ready to leave the house for at least 4 hours, then when you get home, open windows to air it out. Tada! All the bugs will be dead, then you'll have to wash cupboards and counter tops with soapy water. I know it's a pain in the a_s, but that's the only way you will solve that problem, otherwise, they will keep multiplying. Good luck!!!

By sittin on the shelf.

I would so rather your bugs over my kitchen problems!!
My old kitchen always had spiders in it. I used to be scared to open the cupboard!!
Went to give the kids weet-bix for breakie and guess what fell out of the packet?? A mouse, it was HUGE!! Ewwww!!! This house is only 2 months old!!!!!

I have to say I agree with Charlie (Damn that is a good name) I think they are weevils. My grandparents and uncles work in the grain and feed industry. Google that and see if they are it.

Years ago I bought flour in the store. When I went to use it there were these little red things running around in it. I think that what happens is the small eggs are there and hatch. I also had that with a bag of rice I bought. When I put them in large glass jars I didn't see anything wrong. When I went to use the rice, the bugs were dead on the top. Where did they come from. How annoying is that. Now I go to my favourite Bulk Food Warehouse and get it all fresh. No more problems. Take care and hope things work out better for you. It's a nasty waste of money.

wow
is your housekeeping duties up to standards





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