Does any one know if weavels will be killed if you put wheat or cereals in the freezer a couple of days?

-- Freddie the Freeloader (freddie@aol.com), February 15, 1999

Answers

Freddie--

Check out this food storage site:

http://www.paradise-web.com/plus/plus.mirage?who=pollarda2

Can't hotlink yet, sorry. :>)

-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), February 15, 1999.

Four days at 0 degrees F does the trick. Note that this will only kill the live bugs, not necessarily their eggs. You'll need to keep the grain dry to prevent their hatching, and preferably in an inert atmosphere, like nitrogen.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 15, 1999.

I had a problem with those suckers until I started keeping flour, cornmeal etc. in the fridge, it works.

-- Deborah the Prophetess (ickybugs@all.gone), February 15, 1999.

Freddie,

Freezing them will kill the bugs but not the larve. After you freeze them, let them return to room tempature. Place in your mylar bag and bucket and add 1& 1/4 cup of diatomaceous earth. Iron the bag shut (don't use oxy. abs. unless you don't intend to sprout any of your wheat. I read on another board that they will not sprout if you remove the oxygen). Snap on your lid and roll the bucket until you feel the DE has made its way through your wheat. DE is organic so it won't hurt you. I do plan to rinse as much off as possible anyway.

What kind of cereal are you planning to store? I stored rolled oats and froze them for 3 days. Removed and re-froze them 30 days later (larve are not killed in the freezer. So have to let them grow, and the 30 day cycle allows them to mature) After that I placed in bag and bucket with several bay leaves and oxy. abs. and desiccant packet. Mary

-- Mary (doesnotmatter@thistime.com), February 16, 1999.

Mary's advice is excellent, just be sure to get food-grade diatomaceous earth from a health-food store or food co-op, not the kind sold by swimming pool dealers! That variety can cause serious damage if ingested. And wear a dust mask whenever using DE, as it's also harmful if inhaled.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 16, 1999.

I know this will be an unappetizing thought but...I read in "Making the Best of Basics" that weavils are "good" bugs and can be eaten. Eeeuuuuwwwwwwwww!

-- Sharon in Texas (sking@drought-ridden.com), February 16, 1999.

I have another question. I found this other type opf bug and can't identify it. Its about an 1\8 of an inch long, it has many legs , it is also stipped on the top. its actually black on top with light colored stripes across it. The bottom is clear colored. They were found on my walls in my home. HHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP!!!!

-- Dookie (sandmandude@yahoo.com), November 21, 1999.