Household Hints & Help

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts) Fri Sep 23, 2016, 07:04 AM Sep 2016

Need help!!!

Don't know how to cope with this.

Never had any bugs in my house except for an occasional spider. Yesterday, I had a shock. For the past few days, I have seen a couple of tiny black bugs on my counter. Not ants.
I squished them and thought no more about it until I went into my cupboard next to the stove and picked up a box of pasta. The thing was covered with these bugs. They look like large fleas. Holy moses, now what?

I took everything out of the cupboard, threw it all in a big plastic bag, sealed it up and took it outside. I then moved the cupboard and stove. There were hundreds of these nasty buggers in and around the cupboard and under the stove. All over the floor too. I did the only thing I could do, I sprayed everything with Raid and and Roach killer. Soaked the heck out of everything. It killed what I could see. Cleaned up the carcasses and will today, move everything again and see what lurks.
I hope nothing more. Any idea what I should use to wash everything down? Lysol?
When I removed the food, a bag of dry black eye peas was open, a bunch of these bugs came running out. I bought them Monday and feel the bugs must have come from that bag.

Assuming I have done the job, how long before I can use the cupboard again. I took all the pans that were in the stove drawer and washed them. A ton of food wasted, now I don't know how to proceed.
I never saw anything like this. Tried to ID the bugs on line but could not find out what they were or how to best cope now and how to proceed.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

6 replies

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Need help!!! (Original Post) Paper Roses Sep 2016 OP

They are probably grain weevils and they could have arrived in a bag of rice, japple Sep 2016 #1

Just looked at your link. Sure looks like these ugly buggers. Paper Roses Sep 2016 #4

Can you post a picture of the bug? MH1 Sep 2016 #2

Hi, every time I try a close-up w my horrible camera, it blurs. Paper Roses Sep 2016 #3

They aren't like roaches. They don't carry disease. When my mother found japple Sep 2016 #5

Putting all new bags of rice, wheat, beans, etc., in the freezer for 48 hours before you Nay Sep 2016 #6

japple

(9,825 posts)

1. They are probably grain weevils and they could have arrived in a bag of rice,

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 07:46 AM

Sep 2016

dried beans, or grains like amaranth, quinoa.

How to get rid of grain weevils:
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-prevent-get-rid-of-grai-140955

Using bay leaves to keep weevils out of your pantry: http://www.thekitchn.com/tips-bay-leaves-in-the-pantry-69557

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)

4. Just looked at your link. Sure looks like these ugly buggers.

Reply to japple (Reply #1)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 08:22 AM

Sep 2016

Have thrown away everything that was in the cupboard except the baking soda. Geese, this is disgusting. Thanks for directing me.

MH1

(17,600 posts)

2. Can you post a picture of the bug?

Reply to Paper Roses (Original post)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 07:46 AM

Sep 2016

I'll defer to the more expert house cleaners here, but I would guess that a thorough wash with hot soapy water would be enough to remove the pesticide residues. Once thoroughly cleaned and rinsed I would follow with a sanitizing product that includes bleach, or some alternative if bleach isn't good for the location. Maybe just antibacterial wipes. (Though I hate the waste of using wipes for a big job. But you get the idea.)

As for preventing further infestations, it probably depends on the bug, so posting a picture so folks can help identify it would be a good idea. Also, what part of the country are you in?

If you can't id the bug I would try ant/roach preventatives like boric acid and traps, and monitor the situation.

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)

3. Hi, every time I try a close-up w my horrible camera, it blurs.

Reply to MH1 (Reply #2)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 08:18 AM

Sep 2016

Plus, I don't know how to post a picture on DU. I really think these darn things came in with the bag of dried beans. A seam was broken when I took out out to throw away. Never buying them again. What a waste and ton of work. Just saw another one so I'll be repeating the process. Not like I had nothing to do today!!

japple

(9,825 posts)

5. They aren't like roaches. They don't carry disease. When my mother found

Reply to Paper Roses (Reply #3)

Fri Sep 23, 2016, 09:09 AM

Sep 2016

them in her flour years ago, she would just sift them out with a sieve. You don't need to use Raid. You could be poisoning yourself with that stuff.

Nay

(12,051 posts)

6. Putting all new bags of rice, wheat, beans, etc., in the freezer for 48 hours before you