During the monsoon months, the level of humidity in the atmosphere rises significantly. Because of this, problems like grubs, weevils, and tiny bugs appearing in the wheat and rice stored in kitchens become very common. In many situations, there is also a constant threat of grain developing fungus or emitting a foul odor. This is a very common issue that almost every household struggles with. If you also want to protect your food grains from insect infestations during these rainy days, you can try out some very simple and effective home remedies.
Dry Neem Leaves
Neem is considered a natural pesticide. First, dry fresh neem leaves thoroughly in the sun or air. After that, tie them in small cotton cloth pouches and place them at various spots inside the drum containing wheat or rice. The bitter aroma of these leaves keeps insects away.
Dry Red Chilies And Bay Leaves
The pungent smell of bay leaves and dry red chilies prevents insects from even hovering near the grains. Drop 5-6 dry red chilies and a few bay leaves into the container of rice or wheat. By adopting this method, you can keep your grains safe for several months.
Whole Cloves
The strong fragrance of cloves is extremely effective in driving away weevils and bugs. For this, take 10-12 whole cloves and press them deep in between the grains. If the storage drum is large, you can increase the quantity of cloves accordingly.
Clove Oil Or Mustard Oil
Using mustard oil is regarded as an old and tested trick for storing wheat over a long period. For this, mix a small amount of mustard oil into the wheat, rub it well, and then store it after drying. For rice, you can apply a few drops of clove oil onto cotton balls and place them inside the container.
Lump Salt
The risk of grain spoilage is highest due to moisture. In such a scenario, salt can be used to reduce humidity. For this, wrap a few small pieces of rock salt or lump salt in a cotton cloth and place them inside the wheat or rice tank. This will absorb the extra moisture present in the grain.
