November 2, 2017 - 7:21am
weevils in my Komo Mill?
I have a Komo Mill with a fidi, which I used regularly when I lived in NJ.
But now I live in Florida and I am plagued by little bugs living in my mill. I haven't been able to identify them. They are very small, and seem to be living in the joins of the wood. I have tried grinding other items with flour to make it less inhabitable, but they are not deterred by bay leaves, cinnamon, or black tea.
I'm ready to give up and toss the mill in the garbage :(
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I'm afraid that while you have noticed it in your mill it might mean it's now not the only source for these bugs. If you have stored the mill close to food or in your pantry then they might have spread. In which case you'll need to do a very thorough clean and wash with vinegar. If are are sure the mill is the only source then how about giving it a real good clean then put it in the freezer for a week to make sure they're completely killed off?
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Weevils-(Flour-Bugs)
The only sure fire way to get rid of weevils is your freezer. Put the whole apparatus in the freezer for 24 hours. Same goes for any bags of flour or grain on hand.
... to your flour storage bin, and spread a few around your pantry as well.
Here is the "weevil" if that is what it is. It is not deterred by bay leaves. I do not have more in other parts of the pantry. I am unable to freeze more than half of the apparatus due to the size of my freezer. I tried wrapping it in plastic for some time and they survived.
Any other ideas?
Half at a time.
bleh, I forgot at first but it seems I can't
I think the bay leaves stop weevils from hatching out, rather than getting rid of those you can see
I ground up bay leaves and left them in there for three months.
I have a French door fridge with a middle drawer for produce and the freezer at the bottom which has center dividers that are not removable. The Komo is too big to freeze unless I can find a way to remove the handle to the flaker.
I've been trying to kill these guys for two years. I think I am just going to put it up at the yard sale this weekend and see if anyone is interested although I haven't met too many bakers out here. Ethically, should I mention the weevils (or whatever they are)?
I would bite the 'bullet' and put the whole mill into a large plastic bag or other airtight container and use insect spray inside. Give it time overnight to kill everything (you need to get into the smallest space, which is nearly impossible with normal implements). Then air really well and freeze any new grain/flour for 72 hours.
A grocery store owner told me years ago that all grain contains weevil eggs (flour, rice, semolina, oats etc). They are so minute that they go through any filters/sieves etc at the place of manufacture/mill. It can't be helped. Freezing for 3 full days kills the eggs. I live in sub-tropical climate and have followed this 'rule' for many years and never have a problem.
Neighbours, friends, relatives who have larger freezers?
Perhaps try a kilo of dry ice (or liquid nitrogen) in a large plastic bag or sealable container for a few hours and see what that does.
Not being familiar with Komo mills, I'm guessing that the hopper must come apart somehow (to get to the stones), and from there you should be able to get the flaker handle off.
Seems a bit drastic to sell it without investigating a few more options first.
Maybe give the American distributor a call and see what they say.
... you are milling protein enriched flour!