Rice is one of the most common and important staple foods in our daily life.
However, have you ever encountered such annoyances:
I just bought the rice, and after storing it for a while, it turned out to be worms.
This makes one wonder, what is going on?
Can you still eat rice with worms? And how to prevent rice insects?
Why do there be insects in rice?
The main reason why rice has worms is that the rice itself contains eggs.
Most of these eggs come from pests in rice fields, such as grain borers, rice elephants, etc.
They lay their eggs on the surface or inside the grains during the growing, harvesting, and storage of the rice.
Another reason is the improper storage environment.
This is because rice worms prefer to breed in warm, humid, and unventilated environments.
If the rice is stored in such an environment, the eggs will hatch quickly.
The larvae begin to burrow and feed between the grains of rice, forming rice worms.
Usually, we see white wriggling bugs in rice.
It is the larvae of the grain borer or the rice weevil.
They are 2-3 mm long and like to clump together.
In addition to these live worms, you may also find many small black particles, which are most likely the feces of rice worms.
Although rice worms may look annoying, they are mostly non-toxic and harmless.
However, a large number of rice worms will secrete a sour and bitter substance, which affects the taste of rice.
At the same time, their excrement can also make the rice spoiled and moldy.
Therefore, after the rice is found to be insect, it is still necessary to deal with it in time.
Can you still eat rice that has worms?
After the discovery of rice insects, many people will face a problem:
Can you still eat this rice?
The answer is, yes, but it needs to be handled appropriately.
We need to be clear that rice worms themselves do not directly endanger human health.
They are mostly larvae of grain pests and do not carry pathogens.
Even if a small amount of rice worms is ingested, it will not cause disease.
However, a large number of rice worms will accelerate the deterioration of rice and produce mildew.
Moldy rice may contain aflatoxins, which can damage the liver and even induce liver cancer when consumed for a long time.
Therefore, it is recommended not to eat rice that is seriously infested and has become moldy.
If it is only mildly insecticide, the rice itself is relatively fresh.
We can start by carefully sifting through a sieve to remove the bugs and eggs.
Then rinse it several times with clean water until the water becomes clear.
Rice treated in this way is generally safe to eat.
Of course, to avoid the remaining eggs from hatching again.
It is advisable to consume the processed rice as soon as possible and not to store it for a long time.
If you really can't finish it in a short time, you can consider freezing it in the refrigerator.
In short, rice with mild insects is still edible after screening and cleaning.
But if there are already signs of mold and deterioration, don't leave it to chance.
After all, food safety always comes first.
What should I do with insected rice?
In fact, in addition to screening, washing.
In fact, we can also use some simple methods to further prevent the reproduction of rice worms.
The first method is the freezing method.
Rice worms are actually very afraid of cold, and it is difficult for them to survive below zero.
So, we can put the rice of the raw worm in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator and freeze it for 24-48 hours.
This not only kills the existing rice worms, but also inhibits the hatching of eggs.
It should be noted that the rice should be packed into a sealed bag or sealed box before freezing to prevent the rice grains from getting wet.
After freezing, you should also wait for the rice to return to normal temperature before opening the package, otherwise it is easy to condense.
The second method is the shade spreading method.
Compared with dark and damp, rice worms are actually more afraid of light and dryness.
So, we can spread out the rice with raw worms and put it in a cool and ventilated place for 2-3 days.
This inhibits the activity of rice worms, and the dry environment is not conducive to their reproduction.
After screening, cleaning, most of the rice worms can be removed.
However, this method is simple to operate, but be careful not to expose it to the hot sun.
Otherwise, the rice grains may crack and spoil.
At the same time, don't try it easily when the weather forecast is rainy, after all, insect protection is not moisture prevention.
In general, the freezing method is more suitable for rice that already has serious insects.
The shade spreading method is more suitable for preventing rice worms.
However, in life, it is still necessary to choose a suitable method according to the actual situation.
However, in any case, it is important to deal with the insects in time to avoid the deterioration of the situation.
How do you keep rice from insects?
It is important to cure rice that has already grown insects, but it is more important to prevent it.
How can we prevent rice from being infestation at the source?
To get started, pay attention to the selection and storage of rice.
When buying rice, choose a regular, quality-assured rice brand.
Try not to buy bulk rice, as it is difficult to guarantee its origin and storage conditions.
At the same time, the rice should be carefully inspected to ensure that no traces of rice worms or eggs are found.
When you take the rice home, immediately transfer it to a special rice jar or a sealed insect-proof storage tank.
Try to store the rice in a cool, dry and ventilated place to avoid moisture or excessive heat.
If you don't have a good storage environment at home, you may want to consider buying rice in batches to reduce the storage time of rice.
In addition, we can also use some natural materials to prevent the breeding of rice worms.
For example, put some dried kelp in a rice bowl.
Kelp has a strong ability to absorb moisture and can help keep rice dry.
At the same time, kelp also contains natural antibacterial substances that can prevent rice from becoming moldy and spoiling.
Another trick is to sprinkle some peppercorns on the rice.
This is because the unique smell of Sichuan pepper has a strong repellent effect on rice worms.
When the rice worm smells of peppercorns, it is reluctant to lay eggs between the rice grains.
A small amount of Sichuan peppercorns will not significantly affect the taste of rice.
Of course, there are many similar insect repellent remedies, such as putting a few cracks of garlic, star anise, etc.
They are both insect repellent and remove odors from rice.
You can even make your own sachet by wrapping a small amount of herbs in gauze, tying it tightly and throwing it into a rice bowl.
But in any case, in daily storage.
As long as you pay more attention and use some simple materials and means, you can prevent the breeding of rice worms well.
Remember to be dry, ventilated, and inspect frequently, I believe you will be able to manage your own granary easily.
epilogue
Rice insects are a common but easily overlooked problem.
Through today's discussion, I believe you have a more comprehensive understanding of the causes, hazards, and treatment methods of rice worms.
In fact, whether it is insect treatment or insect control, the key lies in intention.
As long as we pay more attention to the rice storage environment and learn to use some simple materials and methods, we can get rid of rice worms.
Of course, when dealing with raw rice, food safety always comes first.
If you find a problem, you should deal with it in a timely manner, and don't leave it to chance.