Weevils and Bay Leaves

[EllanVannin]

Ok I have put the Bay leaves through all the storage lockers and inside all my Tupperware containers with dry goods inside, so that's all good.

Now my question is. Having already loaded all the storage lockers with the sealed bags of flour, pasta, rice etc etc and double bagged them in ziplocks. Do I need to haul all that out again and put Bay leaves in? I am thinking not as I cant get the leaves actually inside the sealed food goods can I.

Thoughts?

[DeepFrz]

I wouldn't worry about it. I have bay leaves in my cupboards but not inside my bags of rice, etc.

Of course I don't live in the tropics...

[EllanVannin]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I wouldn't worry about it. I have bay leaves in my cupboards but not inside my bags of rice, etc.

Of course I don't live in the tropics...

Ok DeppFrz you have just given me leave not to empty out about 200kg of dry goods and start again.....until we reach the tropics hopefully in the next couple of weeks lol

Thanks mate!

[cabo_sailor]

Aren't weevils a good source of protein?? I'd have thought that Julia Child might have a variety of recipes.

Rich

[EllanVannin]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

Aren't weevils a good source of protein?? I'd have thought that Julia Child might have a variety of recipes.

Rich

lol I never thought of that

and so cheap

[Wotname]

and so fresh

[WillJacocks]

And so disgusting!

Learned to keep my boxed flours (pancake stuff) in the fridge after opening, and all my flour is zippered. Sugar hasn't been as bad but I keep them tightly closed.

[Wotname]

Maybe they know sugar is bad for them!

[boasun]

stow all bulk items in plastic containers. And if you have a bug problem in the food or paraniod about it. Put a sliver dollar size of dry ice in said container just before you seal it. Bugs need air and dry ice will displace what air there is in that container.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by boasun

stow all bulk items in plastic containers. And if you have a bug problem in the food or paraniod about it. Put a sliver dollar size of dry ice in said container just before you seal it. Bugs need air and dry ice will displace what air there is in that container.

And you'll have no worries till you open it to use some and the air gets in and motivates the eggs...

[EllanVannin]

Originally Posted by boatman61

And you'll have no worries till you open it to use some and the air gets in and motivates the eggs...

ok cool Boatman.

This answers my original question. I have the system sorted for the open stuff, but I was worrying about the unopened stuff. Sort of thinking what is the point in putting bay leaves inside the double plastic bagged stored dry goods if the actual goods are in factory sealed plastic packaging. Whereas bay leaves in the goods I am using... I get the logic

I would hate to not do something to mitigate the chance of losing hundreds of kilos of provisions that are neatly stowed away for the coming cruise, mind you!

Also someone recently told me it is only flours and brans that have a problem, but I seem to remember some years ago when I lived in a humid part of NZ, once the weevils hatched in the flour they then spread like little varmits right through the pantry until there was no container untouched.

Any one else got any experience on that?

[boatman61]

There are special traps loaded with pheromones that attract them... check in... no check out... they stick to the glue.
As for unopened packs there's no guarantee.. infestation can often happen in the production plant... in which case no amount of Bay Leaf's will help.
Another thing that may be of use is Blackboard Chalk... most insects hate it and won't set foot on it... after a wipe down with some cleaner of your choice rub chalk all over the shelves...
If your stocking up before leaving freeze the stuff before you go... should mention though life dies quick the eggs can take upto 3 weeks to give up the ghost.... so freeze... take out for a day then refreeze again... con thee little booga's

[DeepFrz]

Yes, I have experienced that. I do keep my rice in a plastic container, however I have not had any problems since I put bay leaves around in my cupboards.

Oatmeal is in a plastic bag as it comes from the store, granola in its plastic bag, again as purchased, and not sealed. Bran in its card board box. No weevils...(yet?).

Oh, last weevils I had came in Post Bran that was on sale.

[Wotname]

The only weevils I have had were in the sealed bags ex-manufacturer (both in rice and oats), but the incidents were few and far between. This was before I had heard about freezing.

[EllanVannin]

thanks to all -much appreciated!