Bugs in WW flour and Oats

**twins0516** · 10-16-2008, 09:54 PM

Help!!

Please advise what I need to do to keep little black bugs out of my oatmeal and flour. They are driving me buggy!!

Should I be keeping these type of things in the refridgerator or freezer??

Please help, I am tired of wasting money and ending up with bugs in it...

**shadowfax** · 10-16-2008, 10:00 PM

Yeah you need to put them in the freezer for 24 hours and also put them into sealed containers not in the original cardboard or paper. The bug eggs are already in the grains so it is not something in your house. Freezing generally does the trick. I always freeze all of my bird seed as well as the Flax and BOSS I use for my horse to prevent bugs.

**HappyMama** · 10-16-2008, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Yeah you need to put them in the freezer for 24 hours and also put them into sealed containers not in the original cardboard or paper. The bug eggs are already in the grains so it is not something in your house. Freezing generally does the trick. I always freeze all of my bird seed as well as the Flax and BOSS I use for my horse to prevent bugs.

Yes freeze them. Keep in fridge if you have the room if not in glass containers of plastic ( food safe) .

**twins0516** · 10-16-2008, 10:13 PM

So I need to put the new stuff in containers then freeze them for just 24 hours. After the 24 hours can I put them into the cupboard or directly into the refridgerator?

I also have them in the prepackaged oatmeals too...WTH!

**HappyMama** · 10-16-2008, 10:17 PM

I put them in their original bags into freezer then take out and dump in my storage containers. The ones that are contaminated I would throw out, bleach everything down and make sure it is not in your rice, pastas etc.

**twins0516** · 10-16-2008, 10:19 PM

Thank you all for all of your help!!!

These bugs are just so discusting and annoying!!!!

**HappyMama** · 10-16-2008, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by twins0516

Thank you all for all of your help!!!

These bugs are just so discusting and annoying!!!!

I know once they invade it is tough to deal with but they hate bleach. Also forgot I add a bay leaf to my containers and on the shelfs they are stored in as pantry bugs ( moths and the black ones hate those) Hth They also hate lavender so hang my organic lavender I grow in my pantry...lol

**HappyMama** · 10-16-2008, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by twins0516

Thank you all for all of your help!!!

These bugs are just so discusting and annoying!!!!

You are most welcome. I know at this point it is not funny but to make you laugh my girlfriend got invaded once with moths and called me over to help and she was running around with a vacuum catching them mid air and all I could do was laugh at the sight at first...LOL It worked though.

**Wendy99** · 10-16-2008, 10:52 PM

I had that happen recently too .. ugh!!

**Guest57** · 10-16-2008, 11:11 PM

I'm sorry that you are losing food!!! If you need good, large glass containers with lids, call your local school and talk to whomever is in charge at the cafeteria. I have our 'cook' save the largest ones for me and I store all my oatmeal, sugar, flour, etc in them!!
Just a thought: How long after you purchase something do you find these bugs? If the eggs are already in there, maybe you need to switch grocery stores...???

**twins0516** · 10-17-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by HappyMama

You are most welcome. I know at this point it is not funny but to make you laugh my girlfriend got invaded once with moths and called me over to help and she was running around with a vacuum catching them mid air and all I could do was laugh at the sight at first...LOL It worked though.

LOL!! I can picture me doing that too. but this morning I empty out the cabinets and vacummed and bleached the inside of the cabintets out. Now I just need to buy big plastic containers and buy new food!!!

Thanks again for your advice!

**HappyMama** · 10-17-2008, 05:13 PM

A lot of times you can get the 5 gallon plastic containers from bakeries etc for free. I haven't lucked out that way and purchase mine but maybe you could find some that way.

**Persimmon Lace** · 10-17-2008, 05:13 PM

After you freeze them they need to be stored in good clear containers out in the light if possible. I never have bugs in my stuff after freezing and repackaging.

It's tough losing food, but my gran used to talk about sifting the flour to get everything out as they didn't have the money to buy new during the depression!

**twins0516** · 10-17-2008, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Persimmon Lace

After you freeze them they need to be stored in good clear containers out in the light if possible. I never have bugs in my stuff after freezing and repackaging.

It's tough losing food, but my gran used to talk about sifting the flour to get everything out as they didn't have the money to buy new during the depression!

Great idea