RICE WEEVIL INFORMATION & FACTS

The rice weevil is a common pantry pest here in Canada. They are most commonly found in elevators and bins of rice (which explains their name). They are capable of serious damage to large quantities of stored grain products, like rice, wheat, barley, and raw cereals, which can have a tremendous financial impact on food storage facilities and granaries. Rice weevils will attack and infest any grain products, as well as peas, pears, grapes and apples.

These flying beetles are small and slender with protruding snouts.  They range 1/8- to 1/4-inch in length. They are reddish brown to black in colour, and commonly have 4 yellow, orange, or red marks on their wing covers.

Female rice weevils produce up to 400 eggs in their lifespan. They bore into grain kernels and lay their eggs within. The larvae stage is a legless grub that develops inside kernels of wheat or corn, or other whole grains or caked materials. The larvae feed on the kernel and chews their way out once they have developed into an adult rice weevil. Development from egg to adult can be as quick as 2-3 weeks in warmer temperatures, and longer in cooler environments.

Adult rice weevils can live for 6 to 8 months. Females generally live for just 4 to 5 months. Once mature, these pests may be found some distance from infested articles.

In addition to being excellent flyers, they are attracted to light. When they feel threatened or are disturbed, they will play dead by drawing their legs up near their bodies. 

As with other pantry pests, all infested grains or foods should be discarded.

Learn more about signs of a rice weevil infestation and for tips for how to get rid of pantry pests like rice weevils.

If you have an infestation and need an experienced rice weevil exterminator, the pantry pest control experts here at Environmental Pest Control are here to help. Contact us today!