The granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius) is one of the oldest known pest insects, with evidence of infestations dating back to ancient Egypt. It is closely related to the rice weevil but attacks wheat, rye, barley, oats, and corn rather than rice. Like the rice weevil, granary weevil larvae develop entirely inside individual grain kernels, making infestations difficult to detect until the population is large. Adults are small (3–5mm), dark brown to black, with a long snout characteristic of weevils. Unlike the rice weevil, granary weevils cannot fly, which limits their spread but makes them persistent in stored grain. A single female can lay 200–300 eggs in her lifetime.
Eliminating granary weevils from an Arizona pantry requires discarding all infested grain products — wheat berries, whole grain flour, oats, barley, and corn are the most common targets. Inspect every grain product in the pantry and discard anything that shows signs of infestation: adult weevils, larvae, or grain kernels with small exit holes. Vacuum all shelf surfaces and wipe with a food-safe cleaner. Store all grain products in airtight glass or hard plastic containers. Freezing grain for 72 hours before storage kills any eggs or larvae. Because granary weevils cannot fly, infestations tend to stay localized to the pantry, making them somewhat easier to contain than flying pantry pests.
Granary weevils are less common in Arizona than rice weevils because they prefer cooler, drier conditions — but they are still found in Arizona homes, particularly in whole grain products stored in cooler pantries. If you find granary weevils in your pantry, act quickly before the population grows. Pest Control Bros LLC provides pantry pest inspections and treatment throughout Maricopa, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, and Casa Grande. Call (520) 424-5244 for a free inspection.
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