Freeze Your Flour

This tip is from my Aunt Barb. For years, I’ve been plagued by annoying pantry bugs — grain or flour beetles. I couldn’t tell from the online photos. Cleaning and using air tight containers did nothing. They’ve followed me to new apartments even when I don’t bring grain stuff with me.  Some exterminator told me, “Nothing you can do, the eggs are in the flour you buy at the grocery store.” He was wrong. Freeze your flour. This is how you get rid of grain beetles

I went online to see if there was scientific merit to her quick tip — and there is. I found out that you can also heat it up to 120 degrees … but baking flour seems a lot tougher than freezing it for a few days. I believe eHow recommended 4 days. I also do this for things other than flours that randomly seem to get these bugs, rice, pre-made breadcrumbs, etc. Now, to be safe, Classics and Organic Structures might do airtight containers in addition to the freezer solution. But, just doing the freezer thing when you bring stuff home from the store should work for all.

Originally published on March 12, 2010.