Rice Weevil "Pest of the Hawaii Pantry"

Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) are found in Hawaii, but they are not native to Hawaii; they are a worldwide concern and thrive in warm, humid climates, which makes Hawaii a perfect vacation stop. They look for the perfect vessel and take a ride in a plane or a boat to reach their destination, your home kitchen in the islands. It is a suitable environment for them. They are considered a pervasive pantry pest and is in stored-grain that is spread globally, likely through the shipments of grains and other dry goods, so they are not only in luggage, but also in the storage warehouses and the super markets as well. Continuous imports of dry goods contributes to them being so plentiful in Hawaii. It's common for weevils or their eggs to already be present in bags of rice or other grains when purchased from the store, especially if the packaging isn't vacuum-sealed, but did you know they fly too?

People in Hawaii encounter them, often unexpectedly, and have developed their own methods of dealing with them. While not listed, it is a pervasive pest and can cause significant economic loss and perceived food spoilage. There is no Aloha for these unwelcome invasive pests in many regions, including Hawaii.

Are they harmful to humans? Rice weevils are not known to carry diseases or bite humans, so if they are consumed by accident they are not a health hazard. It is aesthetically gross, give people the heebie jeevies rather than make them sick. In the past it was seen as something to be overlooked as funding wouldn't allow people to just throw away the rice from feeling a bit gross that insects were found in their food. Many people, would decide to simply wash them out or consume them without ill effects, often joking about eating them as added or "extra protein". So, no, tossing the rice is not the only answer, especially for minor infestations.  

It is believed that washing the rice multiple times will help as older rice that is washed has weevils and their eggs float to the top on the first rinse. Another old school method is "Freezing Rice" and/or grains by placing a new bags of rice after purchase or infested rice in the freezer at 0°F (-18°C). Some older folks saying to do it for at least 3 days. It is believed that it will kill all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults). A preventative measure that people swear by is using airtight containers for the storing of all dry goods (rice, flour, pasta, cereals, etc.) made of glass, metal, or heavy plastic. These containers contain a generous amount of bay leaves that is mixed in, so that the scent can be all over the grains as a sort of repellent.

Chickens vs Weevils, if you find bugs in a newly opened bag, it's often recommended to return it to the store as it was likely infested before purchase. Thoroughly cleaning pantry shelves and cracks where food debris might accumulate is important. An old wives tale was that rice weevils can harm young chickens, while a nuisance in feed, are not typically harmful to poultry if ingested. They are often found in chicken feed, and while a large infestation might lead to more "bug poop" in the feed, it's generally not considered to be a health threat to the birds themselves.

Rice weevils and other types of grain weevils (like granary or maize weevils) are commonly found in a wide variety of stored starches and dry goods beyond just rice. This includes wheat, corn, oats, barley, flour, pasta, cereals, nuts, beans, birdseed, and even pet food.