Tiny beetles in food cupboard

[theicemanducketh]

I have a problem with tiny black beetles in my food cupboards. In the past I kept having to throw stuff like flour out when it was only part used, so I started putting everything in plastic containers or jars. Now Ive found them in the corner of the cupboard, and under the lids of the plastic containers. They're driving me mad! Does anyone know how I can get rid of them, or am I doomed to having to throw out stff after a few weeks?

how do they get in? are there any gaps in the cupboard?

Are they defo beetles sound like weevils if they go into flour.

We always had these in our cupboards growing up.

I think you can contact your local council to get info about this.

Been there, done that - my thread

What worked for me was...throw everything away - even unopened packets as apparently they can get in those too. Scrub the cupboards out thoroughly with a mild bleach solution, spray pesticide (can't remember the name of the one I used - I asked in the local hardware shop) in the cracks of the cupboards and behind (if you can) - let it all air for a few days. Be very careful with the pesticide - it's not to come into contact with food or surfaces where you prepare food. Keep everything in air-tight containers.

Touch wood, my cupboards have been clear since.

This reminds me of the time DH had to do a milling certificate because he worked for RHM - the only things I remember from it are that a mouse can get through a gap of 9mm, and the name of a pest: the confused flour beetle. I always wondered whether the beetle was confused or that it was confused with another beetle

For some reason (possibly the wine) 'confused flour beetle' really tickles me. Thanks for my sign for dh, btw, rustybear.

Cant wait to tell DP we've got confused flour beetles. No mice though and theres lots of 9mm gaps in our kitchen. Did see a shrew drinking out of cats bowl once.

Thanks for advice everyone, Marthamoo I've looked at your thread, thanks.

My friend had these weevils - apparantly almost all flour has eggs, and when it gets warm they hatch into little creepy crawleys - also pasta and rice etc. The trick is, use things up quickly, keep them cool (not in the cupboard next to the oven!) or if you plan to keep it for a while, then pop whatever it is into the freezer when you get home from the shops and after a day or so all the eggs are unhatchable! Sorry if it sounds a bit gross! Hope that helps!