Bed bugs and fleas are notorious for invading bedrooms. They cause serious itching and psychological symptoms such as stress, insomnia, and anxiety. But did you know that weevils can also invade bedrooms? That’s right.
Most homeowners are surprised to find weevils in their bedrooms. Yet, it’s not uncommon for weevils to invade bedrooms, especially if you’re fond of bringing food into your room.
Weevils feed exclusively on grain, nuts, and seed-based foods. But even though they don’t cause nuisance biting, the presence of these pesky little critters in the bedroom can trigger psychological effects on their victims, like sleeplessness, nervousness, and anxiety.
Luckily, you can successfully eliminate weevils by yourself. Here is a complete guide on how to get rid of weevils in my bedroom.
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
What Are Weevils?
Weevils are also known as flour bugs, nunus, or long-snout bugs. Currently, at least 96,000 species of weevils have been identified, some of which can multiply rapidly when they invade your home. The three species that commonly invade your kitchen cabinet and pantries include maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais), rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae), and wheat weevils (Sitophilus granaries).
The life cycle of weevils varies significantly between the different species. However, all weevils have one thing in common – they feed on various plant-based products. In fact, some types of weevils are known as dry bean weevils, vine weevils, pea weevils, seed weevils, and boll weevils (attacks cotton bolls), among others.
Unfortunately, scientists are yet to fully understand the life cycle of weevils, thanks to the sheer number of species. But as a general rule, adult weevils can live up to 2-3 months, during which time they mate and lay numerous eggs. Most weevils lay their eggs on the ground near their host plants, while others bore holes and lay their eggs directly into the plant stem or seed.
A single female can lay up to 250 eggs at once. Generally, the eggs will take about three days to hatch into legless larvae. The larvae take about two months to develop into pupal instars, which take approximately three weeks to develop into adults.
Note: some weevil species are parthenogenetic, meaning they don’t need to mate to lay eggs.
How to Identify Weevils?
The simplest way to identify weevils is by their elongated snouts, which are the chewing mouthparts they use to drill tunnels into grains. Weevils are usually small, often measuring less than 6mm in length. These herbivores usually have a lightbulb or pear shape.
Some species, like rice weevils, are easily identifiable because they have fully developed wings and can fly. They tend to have a reddish brown or black color with noticeable light yellowish spots. Comparably, granary or wheat weevils have a reddish brown or black color. Though they have wings, granary weevils lack the ability to fly.
What Attracts Weevils to My Home?
Weevils are considered the most destructive crop pests. They have the capability to cause extensive damage to stored food. For instance, they can completely damage a whole batch of grains stored in bins. Adult weevils often invade homes when the weather becomes unfavorable outdoors, especially during hot and dry climates.
However, different weevil species can invade your home for different reasons. For instance, while strawberry root weevils are attracted to moisture, granary weevils are usually attracted to whole grains such as wheat.
On the other hand, maize weevils invade homes mainly due to improperly stored granary products like flour, bread, corn, and beans. Rice weevils typically invade homes to feed and lay eggs on rice grains, while Asiatic oak weevils are attracted to light.
How Did Weevils Get into My Home?
Weevils are as notorious as they are damaging. These small beetles can enter your home by crawling through openings in walls and small cracks in your foundation. They can also take advantage of open doors and windows to sneak into your property or even crawl under doors with damaged weather stripping. These small pests can also get into your home via broken screens on your attic or crawlspace vents.
Weevils are also ‘hitchhiker’ pests, meaning that they can be introduced into your home via infested food products. Adult female weevils drill holes into grains and lay their eggs inside, often feeding on the grain or seed from its inside out.
Although they do not harm people and pets nor compromise the integrity of your structures, weevils can cause extensive damage to food products. The most effective way to deal with weevils is by preventing them from entering your home in the first place.
How Did Weevils End Up in My Bedroom?
Having weevils in your house is not an uncommon or surprising occurrence. However, finding weevils in your bedroom can be shocking and even confusing. Well, if you find weevils in your bedroom, the chances are that you are the biggest culprit. That’s right.
You can accidentally bring seed-feeding weevils into your kitchen via infested items. But weevils have no business invading your bedroom. Unless, of course, you invited them there by bringing food into your room.
Weevils are typically attracted to flour and grain-based foods. So if you tend to eat in bed, for instance ‘the occasional breakfast in bed' or eating a snack while watching your favorite show, we can agree that you’re the culprit.
Although they are completely harmless, the presence of weevils in your bedroom can be frustrating and scary. Often, weevils are a temporary nuisance and will go away on their own. But depending on the time of the year, weevils can invade in large numbers. For instance, homeowners are likely to see many weevils in the fall when plant-feeding weevils start looking for a suitable place to overwinter.
How to Get Rid of Weevils in My Bedroom in 5 Ways
Now that you know why and how weevils get into your bedroom, here is a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of them successfully:
Do Not Eat in Your Bedroom
Eating in your bedroom may seem like the most convenient thing to do, especially when you’re watching a movie or during the dreaded cold winter nights. But think twice before bringing snacks into your little paradise on earth. Eating in the bedroom is one of the best ways to encourage all manner of invasive pests into your room.
Food crumbs in your bedroom are typically a welcome sign for creepy crawlies. Ants, roaches, beetles, and other nuisance invaders enjoy feasting on even the smallest spills and food crumbs that may be in your room.
Even the most careful eater will occasionally leave spills and crumbs for the hungry invaders to enjoy later. So, unless you’re willing to make room in your bed for unwanted hungry guests, you should never eat in your bedroom.
Meticulously Clean Your Bed Daily
If you’re still unconvinced that you shouldn’t eat in your bed or say you have an injury or sickness, you must clean your bed thoroughly every day. Weevils are able to detect the smell of food in the air. If food particles are always present on your bed, weevils will be attracted to the odor, and soon, they’ll pay you a visit.
If you eat in bed, do not wait until morning to clean it. Get rid of the food particles immediately after eating. Thoroughly cleaning your bed eliminates the chances of weevils invading and distracting your sweet slumber.
So, how do you clean your bed? Luckily, cleaning your bed to get rid of weevils is pretty easy. All you have to do is remove your beddings and pillows and use a vacuum to clean every corner of the bed. Next, use a soft brush to dust your pillow and covers. And finally, sweep your floor to eliminate any food crumbs or spills.
Thoroughly Clean Your Bedroom Weekly
When it comes to getting rid of weevils in your bedroom, it’s better to be aggressive about keeping your bedroom clean. The best thing about thoroughly cleaning your bedroom every week is that it prevents dirt and grime from building up, making the entire process easier.
- Strip your bed and vacuum it thoroughly
- Vacuum your mattress and consider airing it out to prevent molding and eliminate any moisture that might be attracting weevils.
- Change your bedding and replace it with clean ones (weekly or biweekly).
- Infested beddings must be washed immediately after removing them to avoid spreading the insects all over your house.
- Vacuum and wash every corner of your bedroom, including the hard-to-reach places, like underneath the bed, at least once every two or three weeks.
Keep Your Kitchen Completely Clean
The truth is that weevils in your bedroom are likely coming from a source in your kitchen. Therefore, cleaning your bedroom alone won’t solve the cause of your beetle problem. After cleaning your bedroom, the next stop is your kitchen.
Here’s how to handle a beetle infestation in the kitchen:
- Clean and organize areas where you prepare and store food, like the pantry
- Inspect all containers where you store beans, grains, and flour-based foods. If there’s an infestation, throw out all the content and replace it with a new one.
- To get rid of rice weevils, consider washing the rice as soon as you discover the infestation. When washing, weevils will float to the surface of the water, making it easier to eliminate them. Soak the rice in water for at least 4 hours to help eliminate the smell. Use the rice as soon as possible.
- Containers where seeds, grains, flour, and rice are stored, should be covered tightly to keep weevils away.
- Spills and messes must be cleaned as soon as they occur
- Use safe cleaning products to clean food preparation areas
- Wipe down cabinets and clean floors with warm soapy water or a solution of bleach/vinegar and water.
Use Weevil Deterrents
You can use natural weevil deterrents to get rid of weevils or keep them away from your bedroom:
Freeze Dry Foods: To prevent weevils from invading your kitchen and attacking stored foods, you can freeze all dry foods for three to five days before storing them in containers. This also helps kill adult weevils and their babies if your food is already infested.
Use Bay Leaves: Bay leaves are a natural way to get rid of weevils from your bedroom. Bay leaves are commonly used in cooking due to their fragrance, but weevils can’t stand their bitter scent. You can strategically place fresh or dry bay leaves in your pantry and other weevil-infested areas. Alternatively, crush the dry leaves and sprinkle their powder to get rid of weevils.
Final Thoughts: How to Get Rid of Weevils in My Bedroom?
Weevils are completely harmless invaders. But even though they can’t harm you or your pet, their presence in your bedroom can be scary and unsettling. The tips discussed in this article will help you get rid of weevils in your bedroom. But if you’re still seeing these nuisance pests in your bed or kitchen, we highly recommend calling a pest control professional to inspect your situation and customize the best pest control plan for your home.