(Homemakers) Invisible bugs in couscous?

[Flagwaver]

I think I may know the rotten answer to this before I ask, but here goes. I got couscous and also bulgur wheat from the bins at the health food store. I just opened the bag of couscous and when I shake it - like I do to measure flour in a cup and let it settle - some of the tiny cous-cooos continue settling and moving for a few seconds.

Is this normal?

My bulgur wheat does it too, only not as many bulgur wheaties move.

I don't know if it's just the way such things settle or if there are invisible creatures moving like little crabs do on a beach.

Anyone know?

 

[Flagwaver]

This is bad news. Ten hits, no replies. I guess I'll throw it out.

 

[Libertarian]

It's just the couscous protien settling down. Go ahead and cook it.

 

[A.T.Hagan]

If the infestation isn't too bad try putting the stuff in a flour sifter or fine mesh strainer and shaking the bugs out the bottom.

If it is bad just toss it. No point in turning the family off with weevily food if you're not so hard up that you have to eat it regardless.

Most especially with foods you get out of a bulk bin the thing to do is when you get home with the products put them in your deep freeze for twenty four hours. Going from room temperature down to zero or so degrees quickly will kill any weevils or eggs that may be lurking. The store the stuff in an airtight container. I usually put the stuff in jars and then freeze those.

The FAQ goes into detail about how to store products such as these if you are interested.

.....Alan.

 

[summerthyme]

Flagwaver- to be honest, I don't know of any "invisible" bugs that infest grains.

scoop some out, spread it on a paper plate, or paper towel, or other white surface, and LOOK closely. Use a magnifying glass if necessary.

If you just bought the stuff, and it's got bugs- take it back, and find a new source for your grains!

If you bought it awhile ago, it's possible the stuff was clean when you got it, and was infested at home. Not likely, but possible.

Alan is absolutely correct- it's best to freeze any whole grain products you aren't certain are pest-free.

And if you find that it IS infested, don't just "toss it" in the yard or compost bin- you're just providing the source for your NEXT infestation!

Double bag it, knot the bags, and get it out to the garbage. Or freeze it for a couple of days before composting it.

You might want to look into the "pantry traps" they sell- they attract the moths that infest grains, and trap them. Some folks are surprised to find that they have those things in the house.

The only time I ever found bugs in food was tiny worms in saltine crackers. Eeewww! I didn't eat crackers for a long time! Mostly because I know I ate a bunch of the darn things before I realized what the extra "crunch" was.

If you DO have bugs in the couscous, you'd better check every other grain product stored in the same area.

Summerthyme

 

[Flagwaver]

Thanks AT Hagan and Libertarian. Now that's a great idea - freeze when getting the bags home, then store in glass jars. I'll do that from now on.

True confession time. As it turns out my husband took a look and insisted that static electricity was causing the movement. It only happened when we opened the plastic bag and moved the bag some. It sure seems he may have been right. When we kept the bag closed hardly any movement happened.

Gulp!

The bean stew with curry and couscous was fantastic. My husband ate three bowls full and he's still breathing.

One thing I despise about our health food store is that the bins are on an aisle where store personnel can't see what goes on there. I've seen people opening bins and picking out treats with their bare fingers. Disgusting. And many of the bins are at floor level. I wish there was a more sanitary system in place.

If anyone knows where I can order ground grains in bulk, I'm all ears.

 

[Flagwaver]

Just saw your post after posting my reply, Summerthyme. Pantry traps, huh? Where do you get those?

We have had problems with small moths. My husband had one pair of slacks with wool. Now two tiny holes in one leg. We figure from a moth.

Thanks for these suggestions.

 

[Libertarian]

When I was in Egypt we had a severe problem with weevils. Almost all spices and dry goods are sold in bulk there. We would spread the stuff out on a large beach towel in the sun and the weevils would leave it in a hurry. Afterwards, we'd bag it in plastic and freeze it for the reasons Alan gave. To keep new weevils from chewing their way into packages we'd spread bay leaves all over the shelves and put them whole into the rice, flour and spices.

I am sure that I have eaten a few pounds of weevils over the years. I am still walking and my system seems fine.

 

[Laurie the Mom]

>>True confession time. As it turns out my husband took a look and insisted that static electricity was causing the movement. It only happened when we opened the plastic bag and moved the bag some. It sure seems he may have been right. When we kept the bag closed hardly any movement happened.

<<

That's what I was going to suggest. Shaking small stuff around in a plastic bag....definitely static! I always give things the "eagle eye" looking for bugs though, just in case! My kids always want to know why I'm staring so hard into that bucket of wheat.

Laurie