Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal

RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Carol (Guest Post) I always put a few bay leaves in my flour and never have a problem with bugs. I think they are called boll weevils. Posted on 02/08/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By gary (Guest Post) If you use one of those vacuum machines to suck all the oxygen out of the package do you think that will work. I've heard that putting dry ice in the container and sealing it when all the ice has just melted works. leaves no oxygen. Gary Posted on 01/27/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By guest (Guest Post) No matter how hard you try to rid your dry goods from these worms they will be there.the eggs are in the flour, oatmeal, cornmeal, etc. They start on the wheat plant and lay eggs the eggs are so small. They pass through the manufacturing process and once in the product they will hatch. I have put flour in the freezer for 2 weeks and the eggs still hatched. I think it has to be set well below zero to kill them off. So if you put your food in a sealed container you will still gets the worms/moths. Posted on 11/17/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Leonard (Guest Post) When I buy dry goods from the store I always put them in sealed plastic containers in the pantry, this am I went to make oatmeal for breakfast and measured it out and low and behold the stuff was crawling with little bugs, I dumped that one out and opened a new one it was the same, I haven't tried the freezer part, but was told that when you buy the dry goods at the store you will always have the bugs in there as the are eggs and then they hatch, it is just a way of life. Once you boil them they are despenced with plus you have added protein to your diet, just kidding, but have bought fresh dry good and put them in a tight container but they are still there. You have to look real close to see the little buggers Posted on 10/13/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By John (Guest Post) I found a couple in my pants the other day, those darn things are everywhere! Posted on 10/07/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Ruth (Guest Post) I always keep my flour in a closed container in the refrigerator. I never have a problem with bugs in it. Posted on 10/07/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By lillama (1) Contact The bugs we are talking about here are called Indian Meal Worms, and they turn into small moths. Mealy worms are something different, a type of beetle. I found that it is important to find the source of the infestation, and in many cases, it is a bag of BIRDSEED or a similar product for pets. Sometimes they are found in spice jars, even red pepper jars, too. I am attaching a link to a page all about Indian Meal Worms and how to get rid of them. If you keep finding them in your house, you haven`t found all the infested products in your home yet, so search every dry product, all grains, cereals, powdered milk, raisins, spices, and baking powders, too. The cobwebs at the top of the container are a sure sign that the product must go: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2089.html Good luck! Posted on 07/25/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By nancy welsh (Guest Post) I don't think I have mealy worms but what I do have is somethng that turns into a tiny gray moth. I opened a new bag of flour and found these flying in the bag. The bag was shut and in a plastic bag. What is this? There is obviously a larvae but does it turn into what would look like an ant with legs and antenna? Am I dealing with two different kind of bugs? Please help , its driving me crazy. Posted on 06/02/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By (Guest Post) Finally a solution to this pesty problem, but where do they come from? Today I once again threw out cake mix, cereals, crackers, pasta's. I washed down my cabinets with vinegar water and will now get the bay leaves. Suppose you could lay them in the cabinet and have the same affect? Just glad somebody has found something that works. Posted on 04/29/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Sylvia (Guest Post) Question: are these worms harmful when ingested? I just fed my kids oatmeal this morning and I took some to work with me and found moon shaped wormy like creatures with some stripes on it. Is that the worm everyone is talking about? If so, please RESPOND ASAP! Posted on 01/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By care (Guest Post) Everyone keeps saying how to keep the worms out how the heck do they get there in the first place and I don't want to be eating unhatched bugs either. I mean how does the first bug or egg get in there? Posted on 11/27/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By aprilconnett (Guest Post) Put stick of Wrigley' spearmint gum in the container. The mint smell keeps the bugs out but the gum will not flavor your flour or oatmeal, etc. Posted on 09/26/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By christine (Guest Post) I found them on hand cream this week, they were trying to get under the cover of the cream (it was a flavored cream). I also found them inching along on the ceiling looking food. YUCK hate them! Where do they come from? Posted on 09/23/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse mealy worms? By sandra (Guest Post) Is it possible to get mealy worms in your bed? Posted on 08/04/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse Mealworms By Amy (Guest Post) If you have them in food how do you get rid of them? Posted on 07/19/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Anita (Guest Post) I just found one of those pesky bugs in my oatmeal - AFTER I heated it up. Ruined my whole day. So now, gotta go home, throw out the rest of the oatmeal and keep it in the fridge from now on. Gross!! I hate bugs. Posted on 07/02/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Shosh (Guest Post) Try keeping them in the fridge and freezer. Posted on 06/05/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Kathy B (Guest Post) Thank you for the suggestions of freezing and wriggley's gum and Bay Leaves. I cleaned out my pantry cabinets this summer and thought I got rid of them. Then I find them in the original sealed plastic bags containing nuts and cake mixes boxes, etc... The best one was when I found them inside a tightly sealed cookie tin that I had stored chocolate chips in their original plastic bags. There were conwebs in the bags when I opened them. Even though they are harmsess, I thought this was gross. I definately will give these good suggestions a try, can't keep wasting money. Posted on 12/21/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By (Guest Post) i just ate some mealworms in my oatmeal, will that hurt me? Posted on 12/16/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Jamie (Guest Post) I just found mealworms in my jasmine rice that has been stored in the freezer for weeks. How did that happen???? Posted on 11/17/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse Mealy worms By Sharon Colman (Guest Post) Recently I had mealy worms in my pantry. I threw everything out and scrubbed and painted all the shelves. Now for some reason 1 moth will appear at least once a week. What can I do? smcqueenie (at) adelphia.net Posted on 05/17/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Guest (Guest Post) Freezing the flour first before storing it works great. Then store it in plastic airtight containers like the Gladware 8-cup containers...they hold two pounds of flour/sugar perfectly, make it so easy to scoop from with measuring cups when the lid is off, and they stack well for storing all your dry goods. Posted on 02/18/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse worms in flour By sieura (Guest Post) is thiere really worms in flour?? Posted on 12/10/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By tavist (Guest Post) So are the eggs in there already? Or are they attracted to the product and come find it? I must have had the perfect temperature this summer because I found them in everything. Yuck! Posted on 10/11/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Worms in brownie mix By Tracey (Guest Post) Has anyone ever found worms in their brownies??? It seems to be a common occurence and it must be happening enroute or processing because I buy them and bake them immediately. I have emailed a popular company and am awaiting their response. Posted on 05/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By kimmcg (176) Contact The worms only appear due to the glue used in the cardboard containers. Always transfer your dry ingredients into plastic containers or in the freezer and there will be no more peskie little creatures. Posted on 04/25/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour and Oatmeal By Darla (Guest Post) You can also unwrap a stick of Wrigley's Spearmint Gum, and place it in the bottom of your flour cannister. Weevils, mealybugs, etc., hate the smell, and taste, of spearmint! Posted on 02/25/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Kentucky-lass (51) Profile Contact I have had that problem before too. I cleaned the entire kitchen and cabinets throughly, and threw away all the food. Now, I keep everything sealed tightly. I always put flour in the freezer before putting it in a container. However, I always think that if there are those immature bugs in there already, it is quite nauseating, isn't it? I think I might be ready now for Dr. Gott's no sugar, no flour, diet. ;-) Posted on 02/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Ela (Guest Post) My Mom puts bay leaves in her flour to keep bugs out ... Posted on 02/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Susan (Guest Post) I've had success with dried jalapeno peppers. One in the bottom and one on top, in whatever container is used. I also use this for grains, beans, pasta, etc. kept in containers at room temperature. Posted on 02/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Margaret (Guest Post) I have not had mealy bugs in my flour, oatmeal, cornmeal, etc. for over 30 years. I keep these items in a Rubbermaid container in my pantry, but I ALWAYS make sure I have a few bay leaves in the containers. I replace the bay leaves periodically but like I said, I haven't had this problem for over 30 years. Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By DEEE (Guest Post) All of the great hints that have been sent really do work. One thing I would add, besides the bay leafs in your jars, is laying them, plus sticks of spearmint chewing gum loosely on your shelves. I don't know how it works, but it does work, another "Heloise" hint from long ago. Try it, you will be surprise to see them all dead on your shelves. Change it out occassionally! Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Jeanne (Guest Post) Place the flour, oats, cornmeal, etc. in a Ziplock freezer bag and store these items in the freezer. Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Harlean from Arkansas (394) Profile Contact I store mine in the freezer for about 3 days, then empty into gallon jars with screw on lids or plastic containers with sealing lids. If you seal them in containers without the freezer treatment first, you may still be bothered with mealy worms since there may be unhatched eggs in your product. I buy flour by 25 pounds at a time, and use this method. I store in a 5 gallon plastic bucket with a sealing lid and have only had a bug problem on a couple occasions. Once when I didn't freeze the flour first, and once when I didn't push my lid all that way to seal it. Harlean from Arkansas Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By (Guest Post) I keep my flour and meal in a drawer in my refrigerator. Of course, you could invest in plastic containers with sealing lids. Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Anonymous (119) Contact I just found this in a newsletter email from "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" at http://www.cynroberts.com : Store oatmeal, flour, etc. in the freezer for 24 hours, and you will have no problems with those little "mealybugs". http://www.teapotcottage.com Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Anonymous (119) Contact I keep everything that I have room for in my fridge and freezer during the summer months. Pasta, flour, mixes, etc. Anything with a screw on lid, like wen1 said, above, is excellent if you do not have room or do not want to put things in your fridge or freezer. Bay leaves are also great in your food, too, like Jeanine said. http://www.teapotcottage.com Posted on 02/21/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By Jeanine (Guest Post) It also helps to store a whole Bay Leaf in your dry goods. Posted on 02/20/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse RE: Keeping Worms out of Flour & Oatmeal By wen1 (2) Contact I used to have the same problem...now I store my flour,sugar,ect....in large gallon size jars (like the ones pickles come in) this works really well as long as they have the screw on lids. You can probably find some jars at a thrift store or yard sale..I got mine at a yard sale for a quarter. Good luck to you..Wen Posted on 02/20/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse

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