Weevil Control in Southeast Michigan
Weevils are small beetles with a distinctive elongated snout most commonly encountered as pantry pests in Michigan homes. Grain weevils, rice weevils, and flour weevils infest stored dry goods including flour, rice, pasta, grains, seeds, and cereals. They are almost always introduced into the home inside infested purchased products.
Once established, a weevil infestation can spread quickly through a pantry. Adults are long-lived, females lay eggs directly inside food products, and larvae develop hidden inside kernels or packaging — often going unnoticed until the population is large.
Where They Are Found
Weevils are pantry pests. They live and breed inside dry food products, not in walls or structural areas of the home.
Identification
Several species fall under the weevil and pantry beetle category in Michigan. Each targets slightly different products.
Grain Weevil
Sitophilus granarius- Size: 3–4mm
- Color: Reddish-brown to dark brown
- Wings: Cannot fly
- Targets: Wheat, barley, corn, oats — whole kernels only
- Behavior: Larvae develop entirely inside grain kernels; damage is hidden until adults emerge
Rice Weevil
Sitophilus oryzae- Size: 2.5–3.5mm
- Color: Dark brown with 4 reddish-orange wing spots
- Wings: Can fly — spreads more easily
- Targets: Rice, whole grains, dried pasta
- Behavior: Females lay 300–400 eggs over a lifetime; infestations spread rapidly in warm conditions
Flour Beetle
Tribolium spp.- Size: 3–4mm
- Color: Flat, reddish-brown
- Wings: Can fly
- Targets: Flour, cornmeal, cereals, cake mixes, spices
- Behavior: Cannot infest whole undamaged grain; produces a musty odor in heavily infested products
Granary / Merchant Grain Beetle
Oryzaephilus spp.- Size: 2.5–3mm
- Color: Slim, flat, dark brown
- Feature: 6 saw-tooth projections on each side of thorax
- Targets: Cereals, muesli, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate
- Behavior: Can squeeze through tiny gaps in packaging; commonly found alongside weevil infestations
Bean / Seed Weevil
Acanthoscelides obtectus & others- Size: 2–4mm
- Color: Grayish-brown with mottled markings
- Targets: Dried beans, peas, lentils, bird seed
- Behavior: Larvae bore inside individual beans; visible exit holes in heavily infested bags indicate adults have emerged
Signs of Infestation
What to look for- Beetles: Tiny insects in or near food products or on pantry shelves
- Texture: Clumping, powdery residue, or webbing in flour or grain
- Exit holes: Small round holes in grain kernels or beans
- Odor: Musty or stale smell from affected products
- Wandering: Adults found on countertops away from the source
How We Treat
See our service plans for ongoing coverage →
FAQ
Other Pests We Treat
Covered Under Our Service Plans
Weevils are covered under our service plans, which protect against over 20 pest types with no contract and unlimited free re-services between visits.
Need Help With Weevils?
Family & veteran owned. Southeast Michigan's pest control professionals for over 25 years.