[anthony11]

I have various grains and other foods stored in these:

http://www.amazon.com/oz-Stackable-S.../dp/B0000CFU8I

I've just found that some of them have a few bugs crawling around now. It seems that they or their larva tend to come with the grains, so I'm not sure if it's a matter of them getting in, or already being there. The canisters are advertised as airtight, but clearly that isn't necessarily true.

How big a problem is this for others? Do you have canisters that work better? Do you not sweat a few bugs and wash them out when you use the product?

 

[mazikeen]

Bugs in your grains/flours mean that the foodstuff in question has gone bad, which sometimes can come as a result of unfit storage conditions (heat, humidity). I personally tend to throw such foodstuffs away, but I've heard of people who will de-bug their flour or whatever so it won't go to waste. Such spoilage is unrelated to the use of airtight containers, since, as you pointed out, the eggs are latent inside the grains. You could prolong the shelf life of grains by putting them in the refridgerator. How long have you had those foods around?

 

[cookingVeg]

If I can see the bugs, I throw the grains out. Usually it only happens when I've kept the grains around too long, but I've had it happen a couple of times closer to when I bought the item -- I tend to avoid stores that sell items that go buggy quickly.

Airtight containers won't stop you from getting bugs in one item, but they're a real help preventing the bugs from spreading, so don't give up on them!

 

[flvegnewbie]

All of my grains are kept in the freezer, rice, flour, cornmeal, oatmeal and even all of my beans. I do have an unopened bag of quinoa that I haven't put in there yet, well, 'cause it's unopened.

But we have ALOT of humidity here in Florida & I realized a long time ago that humidity & bugs go hand in hand here.

I have most of my grains in those "snapware" containers, but I would think any kind of container with a good tight fitting lid would work if your planning on storing them in the freezer.

You can but these at various retail stores, I know for certain that T*rget carries them.

http://www.snapwareusa.com/maindept.asp?dept_id=6000

Oh! But don't forget, if your planning on doing baking, make sure & remove your flour in enough time for it reach room temperature. I've heard that you shouldn't use cold ingredients in baking (but I guess it depends on what your baking?).

HTH,

Michelle

 

[anthony11]

I have a feeling that they have indeed spread through the lids, as they're in more than one canister.

This stuff comes from bulk bins, so the bags aren't ever unopened.

Some of it I've had for about two years; some is only a few months old.

So much for all those pretty canisters on the counter

http://www.dreamsnake.net/ids/index....IMG%5f2894.JPG

 

[orapunzel]

I use the cheapo plastic containers from the store. Glad and Hefty, I think, are my brands. I have a small one (holds about 2 cups of stuff), medium one that holds 4 cups, a large size that holds 8 cups and an x-large that holds 13 cups. My pantry is FILLED with them as I'm somewhat picky about having a clean pantry and neat and easy to read/find stuff.

ETA: Btw, I've only had bugs twice ... once, the flour in that one container had sat forgotten for 2 years in a far upper corner of the pantry. When I "found it" again, there were larvae crawling through the flour. (bleah) Tossed. Then another time, I found moths in one of my bulk bags that I'd forgotten about, too. (But that was only about 6 months.)

Luckily, I didn't end up with an infestation of patry moths like my neighbor did. (This isn't fun, and they are difficult to eradicate.)

So, I highly recommend the duty of transfering any bags from bulk or any other section of your store to plastic, glass, tin... whatever.

 

[LucidAnne]

good luck w/ these suckers! Once these bugs get in, you have to clean clean clean. Wipe down every nook in you cabinet, etc. they hide everywhere. If you immediately freeze your graiins, etc when you get home... it will kill the bugs/ larva. Then you can store them in airtight containers (assuming your cabinets are cleaned of them). Though, i have found them in "airtight" containers.... under the lid,etc.

You may want to mention this prob to the place where you get your bulks... they may have to clean out the bins entirely. often they are refilled w/ o being totally emptied and cleaned, so any new product will be exposed to the bugs.

good luck.