Rice Weevils in Kailua Kona
Found all across the globe, the rice weevil is a stored-grain insect that lives, feeds, and breeds inside food products. In the United States, the rice weevil is most common in southern states. Nicknamed “flour bugs,” the rice weevils feed on flour, rice, beans, nuts, cereals, seeds, and macaroni. The snout-nosed adults are attracted to light and are capable of flying, while the larva spends its entire development inside a seed kernel or seed-like habit (such as macaroni).
Rice Weevil Habitat
Rice weevils are most commonly found in homes, grain storage facilities, food processing plants, or whole-food markets in beans, rice, sunflower seeds, bird seeds, macaroni, spaghetti, and corn. The females can deposit between 300-400 eggs inside a grain kernel or seeds. Once in the larva stage, they will hollow out kernels of grain. When holes are observed in the grain, it is likely from emerging adults or adult rice weevils. The entire egg, larva, and pupa stage takes place in the grain kernels and the adults can then live for 7 to 8 months.
Rice Weevil Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
The only major threat of the rice weevil is its ability to damage or destroy grains and seeds. That being said, people, pets, and home furnishings are safe from this insect. Any processed grain-based food is susceptible to weevil infestation and they are capable of entering the smallest openings in a package. Their size and covert behavior make the rice weevil a common pest in homes.
If an infestation is present in your Kailua Kona home, locate and discard all infested material. Contact your local pantry pest control experts for help with rice weevils!
