How To Get Rid of Weevils In Your House

Yards can be infested with these weevils but the good news is you can easily control them through natural pest control. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to deal with weevils without using chemicals:

1. Encourage Health of the Soil and Plants

Healthy soil and plants are the basis for having a healthy yard. Weevils are drawn to plants that are under stress or in any way unhealthy. For optimal plant health, it is necessary to encourage well-drained soil with good organic content.

It is recommended to change the soil with compost or well-rotted manure at least once a year to enhance its richness and porosity. Well-nourished plants are more resistant to pests and therefore withstand weevil damage better.

2. Manage Moisture Levels

Weevils are known to prefer conditions that are relatively humid. To reduce their habitat, ensure that the yard has proper drainage. Do not water your plant too much and look for any drainage problems in the garden beds. Siphon off extra water in trays or containers to ensure that weevils do not find a suitable place to lay eggs. It will be important to ensure that irrigation is properly done to avoid accumulation of moisture which is suitable for weevils.

3. Remove Debris

They are usually found and breed in garden residues such as fallen leaves, twigs, and plant debris. You should maintain your yard by sweeping, gathering and disposing or burning of the leaves, twigs and other organic materials.

Maintenance of the garden as clean as possible minimizes breeding of weevils and other pests in the garden area. Composting should be a routine affair to ensure it is attended and mixed to prevent harboring of weevil breeding conditions.

4. Use Beneficial Insects

Weevil can also be controlled by beneficial insects. Such methods as use of predatory beetles or nematodes should be adopted in your garden. These beneficial insects feed on weevil and larvae, hence reducing the population of the weevils in the crops.

For instance, nematodes are small worms that act as parasites for weevil larvae and thus controlling their numbers. Buy these beneficial insects at garden shops or order them online and apply them as it is advised.

5. Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Also known as DE, this is a white, fine powder made up of fossilized diatoms. It operates through killing the insects by destroying their outer covering known as exoskeletons and hence suffocating them.

Spread food-grade diatomaceous earth around the affected areas of the yards. You should concentrate on regions where you have observed the presence of Weevils. After heavy rain or watering of area, reapply to ensure effectiveness of control.

Make sure that you are using food grade DE as the other types can be toxic to both humans and animals.

6. Companion Planting

Planting crops that have a natural repellent to pests is known as companion planting. Certain flowers including marigolds, lavender, and rosemary have been identified to repel weevils and other pests that infest the garden.

Growing these plants near your vegetables or any other vulnerable plant can effectively prevent weevils from attacking your crops. Identify plants that repel pests and ensure you include them in your garden.

7. Neem Oil

An insecticide neem oil, is extracted from the seeds of the Indian lilac. By harming the development processes of weevils, it hampers their ability to reproduce.

To use this, dilute the oil with water as per the instructions written on the label and pour it on the plants that are affected and around the root area. This kills off some of the weevils and also can prevent further infestation because the oil is an insect repellent.

8. Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soap kills insects with soft bodies, such as weevils. The way it does this is by smothering them and interfering with their cell structures. When applying insecticidal soap, direct the spray on the weevils and their breeding grounds, typically under the leaves and in the soil.

For the best outcome, be certain to cover all areas carefully. Use it as often as possible especially after rain or after irrigation since it washes the soap away.

9. Vinegar Traps

Vinegar traps is another old but effective way of trapping and exterminating weevils. Using 1:1 water and white vinegar ratio, place few droplets of dish soap to reduce the surface tension. Spread the mixture in shallow trays all over the yard.

Weevils are drawn to the smell of vinegar, get caught in it, and die in it by drowning. This method can help decrease the adult population but is most effective in the case of small scale invasions.

10. Pyrethrin

A bio-insecticide, Pyrethrin is derived from the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. It acts fast to eradicate weevils by disrupting their nervous system when in contact with it.

When applying pyrethrin, it is recommended that the chemical be applied on plants and soil where the weevils are likely to be found. It is recommended to apply the fungicide at the rates recommended by the manufacturer in terms of frequency and precautions.

Pyrethrin is quite effective but the treatment may have to be repeated frequently especially if it rains.

11. Fungicides

Despite being used mostly for fungi, some fungicides also act on weevils through enhancing plant health. Plants which are in good health are not easily attacked by pests.

Use fungicides to treat fungus problems that, in turn, help discourage the presence of weevils in your yard.In this approach it is more preventative and supportive rather than a direct controlling measure against weevils.

12. Malathion

Malathion is a non-systemic insecticide with a wide-spectrum properties that control a wide range of pests such as weevils. It achieves its goal through interference with the nervous system of insects.

Before applying malathion, it is recommended to dilute it with water as described on the label and apply it to the affected region. Protective clothing should be worn and application should not be carried out at times when there is a risk of wind: this will minimize damage to beneficial insects and humans.

13. Permethrin

A synthetic insecticide that has proven to be effective in controlling weevils is Permethrin. It results in paralysis and death of the insects as it has a toxicological effect on the nervous system of pests.

Spray plants and the soil that the weevils are found in with permethrin. Always adhere to the application directions in order to prevent harm to pollinators and other beneficial insects, and to prevent the development of insect resistance.

14. Assessment and Inspection

The first method in professional weevil control involves an assessment and inspection by pest control professionals. Our technicians will assess the degree of infestation in your home or yard and determine which type of weevil is present in your area.

This involves inspecting stored products, other parts of the home such as cracks and crevices, and garden spaces for the weevil. It aids in identifying the right treatment approach to be used on the client.

15. Customized Treatment Plan

In the course of inspection, one is diagnosed, and the professionals come up with a plan that best suits the case. It usually entails the use of chemicals, mechanical removal, and alteration of the environment.

In cases of indoor infestations, the experts may use specific insecticides that target weevils without posing a threat to food or people. They may also use it on the ground and the plants that are growing in outside environment.

16. Application of Treatments

The indicated treatments will be implemented by professionals following the formulated plan. For indoor pests, this commonly includes the application of insecticides in the form of sprays or dusts in areas including storage places and crevices.

In gardens, treatments may involve soil treatments or foliar sprays to manage weevil larva and adult beetles. Technicians make sure that treatments are carried out well enough to cover all the areas that might harbor weevils.

17. Monitoring

Pest control operators then decide on subsequent visits to assess the results of initial treatment and reconsider if needed. They look for any evidence of residual weevil infestation and might have to repeat the treatments.

Subsequent appointments also help to attend to any new problems or complaints and confirm that the infestation has been eradicated.

18. Prevention

One of the key services of pest management professionals is advising on measures to prevent future infestations. The technicians will also advise on the storage of food, cleaning practices, and changes in the physical environment to prevent the rodents from coming back.

They are likely to advise people to use traps, block the points through which the weevils and other pests may gain entry, and conduct frequent inspections.

19. Empty and Inspect

The first step is to empty your pantry by taking out all products and other items which do not belong to the food storage category. Inspect every package and container for any evidence of weevils like holes, larvae, or adult beetles.

Special attention should be paid to grains, flour and dried foods because these products create an ideal environment for the bugs. Any food that is found to be infested should be disposed of instantly in a black polythene bag to prevent re-infestation by weevils.

20. Clean Thoroughly

When done, ensure that you use a vacuum with a hose to clean all the shelves, corners and other difficult to reach areas that the weevils may be hiding. This effectively gets rid of both the mature insects and any eggs or larvae that they may have laid.

After vacuuming, clean the shelves with warm water containing one part of vinegar diluted in one part of water. Vinegar has the ability to effectively kill all the eggs or larvae present on the surfaces as well as disinfection.

21. Dispose of Infested Items

Discard any food products and their containers that have been affected by pests and rodents in a plastic bag. This helps to isolate weevils from easily escaping and spreading the infestation to other parts of the farm. One should also check other foods nearby to see whether they’re equally affected, even if they look okay.

22. Use Airtight Containers

To avoid future pests’ appearances, store all dry edible goods in sealed containers. Snap-lock plastic containers or glass jars with twist-on lids are best suited for this purpose. This helps to stop weevils from infesting the food and laying their eggs on it.

Using such containers is also a good idea if you are wondering how to get rid of weevils in rice and other grains in the future.

23. Apply Natural Repellents

Tuck bay leaves, whole cloves, or cedar blocks into your pantry. Both bay leaves and cloves have a repelling smell that keeps weevils at bay, while cedar blocks contain natural oils which repels insects. Put these repellents in different areas of the pantry to help avoid attacks from these weevils.

24. Monitor and Maintain

Ensure you take your time to inspect the pantry area for any signs of re-infestation every now and then. Conduct routine cleaning of the pantry and before storing the new foods, take some time to check them. Carefully monitor for any signs of pests, and if needed, re-clean the pantry to make certain that it remains free from weevils

In Stored Food

In stored foods, one of the first indicators of the presence of weevil is the appearance of small holes or punctures in the packing material. Weevils usually infested grains, nuts, and dried fruits where they make small holes as entry paths.

Sawdust like frass can also be noticed from the cockroach; these are small particles of feces blended with the remainder of the consumed food. These signs show that food has been infected by weevils and is in the process of being consumed.

In Pantry

In your pantry or kitchen, symptoms of weevil infestation include the crawling of weevil creatures on shelves and other storage spaces. These pests could also be seen not only in the food packages, but also on other parts of the pantry.

In this case, the appearance of nets or silk like threads within food containers can be a clear sign that weevils are actively breeding and spreading around your supplies. It is also recommended to perform frequent shelf checking and examination of food products to note the signs of an infestation.

On Plants

When weevils infest gardens or outdoor space one can visibly see the impact they have made on the plants. You can tell the difference by looking for perforated leaves, stem damage, and irregular shaped holes which are found when you have these insects around.

Some of them such as root weevils are known to infest plant roots hence causing stunted growth or wilting of the plants. Specifically, check for the presence of weevils or the larvae within the soil or beneath the plant matter.

It also affects the growth of plants and in some cases leads to yellowing of the leaves which may be symptoms of weevil infection.

General Indicators

A general infestation could be suspected when you notice the movement of adult weevils within your home or compound. :They are mainly small in size and may sometimes be observed crawling on surfaces at a slow pace.

Moreover, the number of weevils present may be large numbers in one area especially if it’s close to the food sources that have been infested. If you notice increased populations of weevils in several areas within your home or garden, especially depending on the season, they might be reproducing and expanding their colony.

General Appearance

Weevils are small beetles of a size that is below ¼ inch in length. They have an oval body that is usually brown or black in color but can also have red or speckled colors. They also have a hard, smooth external skeleton, which gives them a shiny, protected look.

Snout

The most conspicuous characteristic of weevils is the long, curved, and protruding snout that arises from the head. This snout enables them to feed and lay eggs. The shape of the snout may also change depending on the species of the fish.

Antennae and Eyes

Like other beetles, weevils possess short club-shaped antennae which enable them to feel their environment. Their eyes are small round shaped and are located on the side of head and may look like they are popping out.

Legs and Body Texture

Weevils have thin legs that allow them to walk. The texture of their skin may be smooth or scaled or have hair-like structures forming a fuzz on their bodies especially in certain species. They have a hard protective cover called the elytra which encloses their wings.

Wings and Flight

Weevils do possess wings that are hidden under their wing cases but these are not very effective for flying. They are more frequently observed as moving on the ground or floor or are in some way concealed in their habitat.

Excessive Moisture

Weevils are known to be attracted to moist environments. Their presence can be encouraged by such factors as over watering or poor drainage, which contribute to wet areas. Weevil eggs and larvae thrive in areas with standing water and water logged soil.

Organic Debris

Weevils prefer yards that have a lot of fallen leaves, decomposing plants, or compost piles. This organic matter offers the food source, and at the same time, a breeding ground for weevils.

Poor Sanitation

It is also important not to give much attention to the yard as this may lead to weevil issues. They are likely to be attracted by overripe fruits or unconsciously left debris. Maintaining your yard free of debris reduces the chances of an infestation.

High Organic Matter

This might be because too much compost or mulch provides a favorable environment to weevils in terms of moisture. Although organic matter is significant for the soil, the presence in large quantities may attract pests.

Nearby Infestations

Weevils can be transported from nearby areas which are already infested by the pest. If your neighbors have weevils, they may come to your yard either by flying or by animals carrying them on their bodies.

Environmental Factors

It is evident that weevils become more active during warm and humid conditions. They are more likely to be a problem during warmer months since the conditions for their growth are optimal at such times.