Weevils

Latin Name   Superfamily Curculionoidea

Description   Weevils are an extensive class of pests. They’re actually tiny beetles – usually measuring less than 6mm in length, and their diet is exclusively herbivore. There are over 60,000 species of weevils worldwide and over 1,000 are known to live inside the United States. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes but most are brown, black, or reddish brown and almost all adult weevils have elongated heads that form into snouts.

What to Know   Weevils are a terrible nuisance to crops. They very rarely make their way indoors but they can do extensive, expensive damage to stored crops such as grain and rice as they feed. Outside of farms, weevils feed on a wide variety of mature plants in yards and gardens, particularly the rhododendron and hemlock tree. They’re most active in the fall and typically leave an area in the spring but they can cause significant damage in between.

Signs of Infestation   There are several species in the U.S. that do in fact invade homes. They enter in large numbers and nest undetected in the walls or in storage containers and munch their way through winter. Most homeowners don’t realize they have a problem until they either see a weevil, an exoskeleton, or notice signs of weevil feeding which can resemble moth damage.

If you do notice weevils crawling inside your home – typically along doorways or on windowsills – use a vacuum to suck them up. It’s always a smart idea to save a specimen or two to show a pest professional if you decide you need additional assistance. The most common areas of a home in which weevils invade will be the pantry (they enter stored in items like bags of flour) or the attic or basement.

Treatment and Prevention   Preventing weevils is similar to preventing many other types of pests. Make sure to seal all the cracks around your windows and doors to prevent any size pests from getting in when the weather gets colder or warms up. Additionally, always be careful not to purchase dry goods that have obvious signs of tampering such as holes as that may be a sign they’ve been infested by bugs.

If you notice weevils in or around your home it’s smart to act fast before they set up shop and do irreparable damage to your belongings or your flora. Call a professional pest control operator in your area to find out your risks for weevil infestation or to get started with a treatment plan.