eeewwww...OMG...made split pea soup

**lisaflex** · 11-11-2011, 01:08 PM

and found little white worms in it!!! yuck! the thing is that i had made the pot of soup already and was having a bowl and saw all these little white things and thought, i didnt cut the garlic like that, then upon closer view, it was worms!!! yuck. i had eaten some already...am i going to get sick? i threw it all out! yuck.

advice? thoughts?

**HappyMama** · 11-11-2011, 01:14 PM

Sounds like it is pantry bug larvae ( the worms). You will want to go through your pantry and see where else they might be and get rid of any as it will ruin all your food.

As gross as it is to look at , throw out but you will be fine.

The Indianmeal Moth larvae can infest a wide range of dry foodstuffs of vegetable origin, such as cereal, bread, pasta, rice, spices or dried fruits and nuts. More unusual recorded foods include chocolate and cocoa beans, coffee substitute, cookies, flour, dried mangelwurzel, and even the toxic seeds of Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium). The food they infest will often seem to be webbed together.

After larvae or moths have been found, it is important to throw out all food sources that are not in very tightly sealed containers. The moths are able to get into surprisingly tight spots, including sealed bags and Tupperware containers. They are also notoriously difficult to get rid of, and can crawl on ceilings and spin cocoons in rooms other than the kitchen or pantry where they hatched. Last instar larvae are able to travel significant distances before they pupate. When seeking the source of an infestation, the search thus cannot be limited to the immediate area where pupae are discovered.

**tervsforme** · 11-11-2011, 01:16 PM

It could also be the 'heart' of the green pea. I think they are lighter in color than the actual green pea. I have noticed that in my soup when I buy the whole green peas in stead of the split peas.

**lisaflex** · 11-11-2011, 01:16 PM

thank you happy...now all i have to do is muster up the courage to go in the pantry and take it all out and dispose of it and clean the pantry....

**lisaflex** · 11-11-2011, 01:49 PM

now to boot...just saw a mouse on the kitchen floor...could this be where the wormy things came from?

**nuisance26** · 11-11-2011, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by tervsforme

It could also be the 'heart' of the green pea. I think they are lighter in color than the actual green pea. I have noticed that in my soup when I buy the whole green peas in stead of the split peas.

~That's what I was thinking. I've been freaked out more than a few time by non-bugs.
Did the "worms" all float to the top of the soup or were they throughout? Real buggies usually float.~

**Suzan Bits** · 11-11-2011, 02:18 PM

grossed uot yeah, but I duobt yuo wil reely get sic. My Mom fuond Half a worm in her apple one time. I bet they wer mullers (moth worms) in yuor suop.
i feel for yuo , I'd be hurling for sure.

**imagine** · 11-11-2011, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by lisaflex

now to boot...just saw a mouse on the kitchen floor...could this be where the wormy things came from?

from my experience most larvae worm things come from the store. They are already in the box or bag of the item.

that is why most ( at least around here) suggest freezing flour before putting it is the pantry.

**dancemommy** · 11-11-2011, 02:57 PM

Wow- I'd be so grossed out I'd throw everything out, bomb the place and start over. But I'm wimpy that way. Good luck!

**Ponderer** · 11-11-2011, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

from my experience most larvae worm things come from the store. They are already in the box or bag of the item.

that is why most ( at least around here) suggest freezing flour before putting it is the pantry.

How long is it recommended to freeze flour?

**HappyMama** · 11-11-2011, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ponderer

How long is it recommended to freeze flour?

I always freeze mine for a couple of hours, put in bay leaves and store in a gallon jar or 5 gallon food safe bucket. Some freeze theirs 24 hours. I have never had problems with mine when properly stored.

**imagine** · 11-11-2011, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ponderer

How long is it recommended to freeze flour?

Housewife lore around these parts is at least 24 hours. I would say at least until it is frozen all the way through. I leave mine in for more than 24 hours.

**HappyMama** · 11-11-2011, 04:23 PM

Usually I have 50 pounds at a time of Caputo 00 flour or wheat berries and can't spare the freezer for that long ( over 24 hours) ...lol I am so glad people do that though ( freezing your flour , rice etc) it is worth the time, to not lose your pantry.

**lisaflex** · 11-11-2011, 05:09 PM

well, it was my thought that it came from the store in that bag. but, after seeing the mouse, i made dh come home from work...i wouldnt go back in the house...i ran outside in the garage w/ my phone and computer...lol...i was freaked out. he came home, gound and killed the mouse (under the stove) and then i had him empty pantry and i threw out all opened stuff and some other stuff that looked to have some webby things in it...i then washed all cans off, bleach/watered the pantry, then vinegar/water sprayed it. put back cans and put all boxes of unopened and pasta, etc that still looks good to me, in plastic tupperware type containers. i also steam mopped the floor in the pantry..and lysol wiped the boards around inside, etc....hoping this is it...the wormy thing still has me grossed out!