Living in a humid place like say Mumbai we are prone to pests, especially during such a phase of life.
Following these tips will ensure that you get rid of them completely.
🎯 Clean all the cabinets and shelves regularly with insecticides to keep away insects.
🎯Finish the older stock first and then use the fresh stock to avoid wastage of grains and to save money.
🎯Put 2-3 bay leaves in the flour/grains containers . The bay leaves are effective in keeping away the bugs.
🎯Place neem leaves in the containers to keep away the ants in sugar containers. It is very effective. If you want to store large quantities of grains then place dry neem leaves at the bottom of the container and then fill it with grains with few leaves , this keeps the grains safe for a longer duration.
Neem leaves are cost free products. When put into containers of grains, keeps insects away. This is an age old method used by farmers to keep insects away from spoiling the grains.
Bay or Neem leaves are one of the best remedies, they can be put inside grains, dals loose flour in containers that are more prone to contamination.
Dry these leaves in the shade and directly mix them with the grains and store it in an air tight container
If you are buying Pulses and dals like urad dhal, green gram ,jeera ,channa dal etc in smaller quantities, you can fill them in containers and keep them in the fridge racks. It stays for a longer period.
🎯Cloves: This is a great idea. Cloves are widely available and will fight off the bugs and will also avoid their infestation. You can also sprinkle some cloves around your cupboard shelves and pantry area.
🎯You may also keep small bags of black pepper in your pantry.
🎯 Keep the infested grains in sunlight: If a large quantity of flour has been attacked by beetles, just keep it in the sunlight. This will shoo them away as these bugs do not like the sunlight and will look for a dark and moist place. Keep the contaminated flour in the sunlight for a day and you get rid of weevils easily.Therefore periodic airing of stored food in the hot sun ensures that it is not spoiled and free from these pests
🎯 Other home remedies: You can either put ginger, garlic or a whole turmeric inside rice container to keep rice bugs away.
🎯Turmeric used in its pure form is said to have long lasting protection from pests attacks as they will deter away because of its strong smell.
🎯It is an ancient practice of placing two to three dry chilies in the stored items. Cloves of garlic can also be used by placing them in layers in the rice and tightly close the container. Bitterness of cloves repel insects, therefore placing them on top of the storage item ensures your grains and spices are pests free.