Perhaps without realizing it, you may be involved in your rice bag. Rice lice are the small invaders who cunningly settled in rice grains and continue to grow here. Especially in larvae, they grow safely by entering a rice grain. So, are these small invaders really harmful, or isn’t there a reason to worry?

Rice lice are actually a part of our environment and natural creatures in search of food. As the name suggests, these insects prefer rice, but they do not neglect to feast with corn and other cereals. Thanks to their own small and hard noses, they can survive with the food inside by chewing the outer shell of rice grains. In this process, the females leave their eggs into the rice grain, so the life story of a larva begins.

How do rice lice reach rice, what is the way to prevent it?

In industrial rice production, spraying is done to combat harmful insects. However, these sprayings are not always effective. The larvae become difficult to be noticed by hiding into the rice grain. Researchers have even tried to determine the presence of insects by listening to the sounds of chewing to understand insect invasions in the rice warehouses. This shows once again how cunning the tiny invaders are.

Rice lice is more common in raw rice, which is close to its sources, is less common in imported and processed rice. Sterilization at high temperature may be effective in reducing the spread of these invaders. At home, you can minimize this risk by storing your rice in air -proof containers and keeping it in a cool, dry place. Washing before using rice also allows cleaning from insects and larvae.

Are rice lice harmful to our health?

Consuming rice lice does not pose a threat to your health. Although it does not sound very attractive, it can even be said to increase the protein content a little. However, it can also turn your cereals into a pile of dust over time. While these small invaders may be a more serious problem for large -scale manufacturers, simple measures for home users are often sufficient.

Insect eating may sound interesting, but some research suggests that insects have significant potential as a source of sustainable protein. You can improve the habit of washing your rice to be more careful about rice lice. After all, you will have a better experience in both the kitchen and health with a clean rice.