How to Keep Weevils Out of Garden Seed

Weevils eat any grain or seed, including garden seeds.

Weevils are small beetles, usually less than 1/4 of an inch in length. Being herbivorous, weevils are attracted to all types of seeds, grains and grain products. Weevils are obvious when, in a bag of flour, for example, the granules seem to be sticking together in strings -- like a cobweb. Weevils need to be destroyed because they can carry E. coli bacteria, making humans and animals very sick.

Things You'll Need

• Airtight containers
• Zip-style storage bags
• Vacuum
• Cleaning materials
• Weevil-eliminating insecticide

Instructions

1. Get rid of any bags of seed already infested with weevils. Do not compost these items, instead throw them away with your regular garbage.

2. Save some of your garden seeds by freezing them for three days at 0 degrees F. Heating the seeds is possible, but may diminish their germination rate.

3. Place all disinfected and unaffected seeds in airtight containers made of plastic or glass. For small amounts of garden seeds, plastic zip-style freezer bags will work.

4. Clean the area that held the seeds completely. Vacuum out the corners and cracks and spray a weevil-eliminating insecticide if you feel it's necessary.

References

• Extermine: Weevils
• Library 4 Farming: Some Insect Pests of Importance
• Pest Products: Rice Weevil and Granary Weevils