topic Re: Bugs in flour in Kitchen

Bugs in flour

SharkE — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:39:08 GMT

Gonna start keeping my canisters of flour in freezer

Opened up my flour keeper today to make rolls and tiny black bugs was in it. Ewwww threw the flour in trash. Checked my all purpose flour too had bugs in it too. Threw that out.

I had 2 new bags in freezer took them out and put in canisters, one bread flour, other all purpose and after

used out of it this time keeping in freezers.

I don't know how bugs get in flour ? Do they live in the store bought flour ? This is Tx. we're not buggy like in places that gets lots of rain. Everything I got is sealed tight. OXO tight fitting canisters for flour and I still see the **** tiny black bugs.

In freezer straight from the store I guess I'll have to do in future.

Re: Bugs in flour

I am still oxox — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:44:53 GMT

My mom had that several times

Re: Bugs in flour

sann — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:45:17 GMT

They could have come from the mill where the flour was made....

Re: Bugs in flour

Zhills — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:54:43 GMT

I had the same thing happen! Bugs are everywhere!

I put the new flour into a plastic bag and put some bay leaves between the bag and the plastic cannister. Seems to be working.

Re: Bugs in flour

drizzellla — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:01:17 GMT

@SharkE Ha! Ha! Thanks for the little bug on your text.

I thought I had a bug on my screen.

Fortunately, I have never had bugs in my flour. As soon as I buy a bag of flour, I put the flour in a decorative glass jar. And put the glass jar in my canister. But I do not go through the volume of flour that you do.

Re: Bugs in flour

fthunt — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:02:44 GMT

Found bugs in old dry pasta once and recently healthy ones crawling in red hot pepper (McCormick).....how they could live in that...beyond me.

Eggs get in the product and eventually hatch.

Re: Bugs in flour

sunshine45 — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:02:54 GMT

lock n lock is great for storing flour, sugar, rice, nuts.....it pretty much keeps all bugs out.

Re: Bugs in flour

MariotaMurielle — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:03:33 GMT

@SharkE, I put my flour in a plastic zip-lock gallon bag and then into a canister. I'm in Mississippi where it's very rainy at times and humid, and I have never had a problem with bugs that I can recall.

BTW, that little bug crawling around at the bottom of your post had me scrambling for a Kleenex to get it off my computer screen. it took me a couple of seconds to realize it isn't real!

Re: Bugs in flour

fthunt — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:08:31 GMT

@MariotaMurielle The SHARK didn't scare you?

LOL

Re: Bugs in flour

cjm61 — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:09:55 GMT

@SharkE Like @sann said, I have been told by pest control people that the bugs/eggs are already in the product before purchasing. They say to freeze the flour or any grains and cereal immediately to kill off the eggs/bugs currently in the product.

I never really have room in my freezer so I don't do this and the thought I am just killing the bugs/eggs kind of still creeps me out.

Re: Bugs in flour

On It — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:11:12 GMT

@SharkE My flour goes straight into the freezer from the store. I take out what I need to make rolls or anything that needs yeast and let it reach room temp before beginning prep. The remainder of my uses are freezer to mixing bowl.

I think those little weevil eggs are in the flour. We just have to keep them at bay. My bigger concern is the salmonella that has infiltrated flour processing. I do not know how to stop that. Between the eggs and the flour, no more licking the bowl. I have thrown away almost as much flour as I have used.

Re: Bugs in flour

MariotaMurielle — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:14:05 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
@MariotaMurielle The SHARK didn't scare you?

LOL

nah, I've seen the Sharke a thousand times....but I've never seen a little bug crawling around on my monitor before

Re: Bugs in flour

RedTop — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:22:08 GMT

There is no way to keep bugs out of flour; the bugs and eggs are there from harvest to milling, to bag filling, and storage in a warehouse or grocery store.

You can only control any home infestation with the way you store your flour, sugar, cornmeal, etc, but bugs are pretty much a given. Unbeknownst to you, bugs and eggs have been in the flour you've consumed in your lifetime!

Re: Bugs in flour

Oldfaithful — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:30:22 GMT

@cjm61 I have heard that same thing although I've not been told to freeze. Good idea

Re: Bugs in flour

fthunt — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:33:26 GMT

Dead ones in milk after pasterization..........

Re: Bugs in flour

RNbynite — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:36:00 GMT

I always put flour, rice and pasta in freezer or fridge.......especially important in warm weather.

Re: Bugs in flour

Icegoddess — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:55:08 GMT

I keep all my flour and cornmeal in the freezer. I don't use them that often. The bug eggs come in with the flour, so it's not a case of keeping the bugs out. They're already in there in some form.

Re: Bugs in flour

KKWA — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:55:20 GMT

I grew up in Southern California and very often found weevils in the flower. I know the eggs are in the flower from the start and we just have to watch for them. However, since I moved to the state of Washington, I have never seen a weevil in the flower. so I don't know if things have changed over time, or the weather up here is different however, I still keep looking for those little critters I don't suppose they would hurt us but nevertheless, it's creepy.

Re: Bugs in flour

Jo1313 — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 18:10:55 GMT

Grandma taught us to put a couple of bayleaves in any flour product or pasta..

No it doesn't smell like bayleaves when you cook the flour or pasta.

I also keep all of that in plastic containers..

Have never put flour in freezer..haven't had and of those bugs ..I've been doing it for 53 yrs.

Usually by the bayleaves in BIG containers from Target..much cheaper than the name brand.

Re: Bugs in flour

On It — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 18:20:05 GMT

I remember walking down the isle of a major grocery chain and there were insects flying around the flour display. They were larger than gnats and smaller than flies. I never bought flour at that store again.