How to Get Rid of Wheat Bugs

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Things You'll Need

  • Garbage bag

  • Plastic or metal containers

  • Vacuum with hose attachment

  • 1/2 cup vinegar

  • 1 cup water

  • Bay leaves

Protect your food from wheat bugs.

Foods that contain wheat and other grains are susceptible to an invasion by wheat bugs. These bugs, which include pantry moths, meal worms and grain weevils, are generally found inside of the wheat and grain products before you even bring them home, but that does not mean they cannot find a way into these pantry items after a long storage. The pantry must be properly cleaned in order to kill these unwanted invaders and protect your food.

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Step 1

Remove all of the contents from the inside of the kitchen cupboards and pantry. This includes everything in a box, bag or can.

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Step 2

Inspect all of these items inside and out, even if the package is not opened. Look for any webbing or small black spots, which are sure signs of a pantry moth infestation or the presence of grain weevils.

Step 3

Throw any foods that are contaminated into a garbage bag. Remove all of the other food from its original plastic or cardboard packaging and place it into covered plastic or metal containers, which protects the products more from any unwanted infestation.

Step 4

Vacuum out the inside of the kitchen cupboard and pantry. Use the vacuum's hose and an attachment to remove any dust, webs and wheat bugs found on the inside of the pantry.

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Step 5

Wipe down the inside of the cupboards and pantry, including the walls and shelving, with a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water. This will kill any bugs that you might have missed.

Step 6

Allow the cupboards to dry completely before placing everything back in.

Step 7

Place fresh bay leaves into the back of the pantry. This will help keep the bugs at bay and prevent a new infestation.

Tip

If the problem persists after several months of vigilant cleaning, call a professional exterminator to treat the pantry bugs.

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