Weevils Pest Control in Toronto
Weevils IdentificationWeevils are a group of beetles that belong to the superfamily Curculionoidea. They are known for their elongated snouts, which they use to pierce and feed on various parts of plants. There are about 97,000 species of weevils in the world, and they can be found in almost every habitat and continent.
Types of WeevilsThere are many types of weevils, and they can be classified into different families, subfamilies, tribes, and genera. Some of the major families of weevils are:
Anthribidae: fungus weevils, which feed on fungi and decaying plant matter. They have straight antennae and a cylindrical body.
Attelabidae: leaf-rolling weevils, which roll up leaves and lay eggs inside them. They have elbowed antennae and a humped body.
Belidae: primitive weevils, which feed on seeds and fruits of ancient plants. They have straight antennae and a slender body.
Brentidae: straight-snouted weevils, which feed on wood and bark of trees. They have straight antennae and a long and narrow body.
Curculionidae: true weevils, which feed on various parts of plants. They have elbowed antennae and a pear-shaped or lightbulb-shaped body. This is the largest and most diverse family of weevils, with more than 50,000 species.
Nemonychidae: pine flower weevils, which feed on pollen and nectar of conifers. They have straight antennae and a round body.
Some examples of common weevils areRice weevil: a pest of stored grains, such as rice, wheat, corn, and oats. It is reddish-brown with four yellowish spots on the elytra. It can fly and is attracted to light.
Granary weevil: a pest of stored grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats. It is dark brown to black with no markings on the elytra. It cannot fly and is not attracted to light.
Boll weevil: a pest of cotton crops, which lays eggs inside cotton bolls and damages the fibers. It is grayish-brown with a long and curved snout. It can fly and is active at night.
Black vine weevil: a pest of ornamental plants, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, and yews. It is black with yellowish spots on the elytra. It cannot fly and is active at night.
Strawberry root weevil: a pest of strawberry plants, which feeds on the roots and leaves. It is brown to black with no markings on the elytra. It cannot fly and is active at night. Weevils can enter your home or business for various reasons, such as:
Seeking food: some weevils feed on stored food products, such as grains, flour, nuts, seeds, spices, and dried fruits. They can infest these foods by laying eggs inside them or by crawling into them through cracks or holes in the packaging. They can also contaminate the food with their feces and cast skins.
Seeking shelter: some weevils seek shelter from unfavorable weather conditions, such as heat, cold, or drought. They can enter your home or business through cracks, crevices, vents, or windows. They can also hitchhike on plants, flowers, or fruits that you bring indoors.
Seeking mates: some weevils emit pheromones, which are chemical signals that attract other weevils of the same species. They can follow these pheromones to find potential mates. They can also use their antennae to sense the vibrations and sounds of other weevils.
Weevils Diet and LifecycleWeevils are herbivorous insects, which means they feed on plants. They have different diets depending on their species and life stage. Some of the common foods that weevils eat are:
Leaves: some weevils feed on the leaves of various plants, such as cotton, alfalfa, clover, beans, peas, and ornamentals. They can cause holes, notches, or skeletonization of the leaves.
Stems: some weevils feed on the stems of various plants, such as grapes, apples, pears, and roses. They can cause galls, swellings, or wilting of the stems.
Roots: some weevils feed on the roots of various plants, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and yams. They can cause stunting, yellowing, or death of the plants.
Seeds: some weevils feed on the seeds of various plants, such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, rice, and sunflower. They can reduce the germination, quality, or quantity of the seeds.
Fruits: some weevils feed on the fruits of various plants, such as cotton, apple, pear, peach, plum, and citrus. They can cause damage, rotting, or dropping of the fruits.
Weevils have a complete metamorphosis, which means they go through four distinct stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The duration and location of each stage can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. A general overview of the weevil lifecycle is:
Egg: female weevils lay eggs inside or near their food source, such as grains, fruits, or plant tissues. The eggs are small, white, and oval-shaped. They hatch in a few days or weeks.
Larva: the eggs hatch into larvae, which are worm-like and legless. They have a creamy-white or yellowish colour and a brown head. They feed on the food source and grow in size. They molt several times and leave behind cast skins. They last for a few weeks or months.
Pupa: the larvae stop feeding and form cocoons, which are protective cases made of silk, plant fibers, or soil. They change into pupae, which are immobile and inactive. They have a whitish or brownish colour and a segmented body. They undergo metamorphosis, which is a process of transformation into adults. They last for a few days or weeks.
Adult: the pupae emerge as adults, which are fully formed and mature. They have a hard exoskeleton and wings. They feed on the food source and mate with other adults. They can live for a few months or years.
Weevils can be a nuisance and a problem for your home or business. They can cause various issues, such as:
Food spoilage: weevils can spoil your stored food products, such as grains, flour, nuts, seeds, spices, and dried fruits. They can make the food unfit for consumption by infesting it with eggs, larvae, adults, feces, and cast skins. They can also increase the heat and humidity inside the food packages, which can promote the growth of mold and bacteria.
Plant damage: weevils can damage your plants, such as cotton, grapes, apples, pears, strawberries, and ornamentals. They can feed on the leaves, stems, roots, seeds, or fruits of the plants, causing holes, notches, galls, wilting, stunting, yellowing, rotting, or dropping. They can also transmit diseases or parasites to the plants.
Allergic reactions: some people may be allergic to weevils or their products, such as feces, cast skins, or body parts. They may experience symptoms such as itching, rash, hives, swelling, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, or asthma.
Therefore, you should be worried about weevils and take measures to prevent them from invading your home or business. Some of the ways to prevent weevils are:
Inspect your food products: before buying or storing any food products, such as grains, flour, nuts, seeds, spices, and dried fruits, check them for any signs of weevils, such as holes, webbing, dust, or live insects. Reject or discard any infested food products.
Store your food products properly: store your food products in airtight, sealed, or metal containers, which can prevent weevils from entering or escaping. Keep your food products in a cool, dry, and dark place, which can discourage weevils from breeding or feeding. Rotate your food products regularly, and use the oldest ones first, which can reduce the chances of weevil infestation.
Clean your storage areas: clean your pantry, cabinets, shelves, or containers regularly, and remove any spilled or leftover food products, which can attract weevils. Vacuum or sweep the cracks, crevices, or corners, where weevils may hide or lay eggs. Dispose of the vacuum bag or dustpan contents in a sealed trash bag, which can prevent weevils from spreading.
Protect your plants: protect your plants, such as cotton, grapes, apples, pears, strawberries, and ornamentals, from weevils by using physical barriers, such as nets, screens, or collars, which can prevent weevils from reaching or damaging the plants. Remove any weeds, debris, or fallen fruits, which can provide food or shelter for weevils. Prune or trim any damaged or infested plant parts, which can reduce the spread of weevils. Consult a professional pest control service if you have a severe or persistent weevil problem.
When to call an weevils exterminator ?The best is to call us as soon as possible. We service the Greater Toronto Area, call us now 647 849 4441
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