The small black worm in rice is not mainly because of the quality of the rice itself, but is closely related to the storage conditions. Small black insects are usually storage pests, such as red grain thieves, rice elephants, etc., they can reproduce rapidly under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, especially in humid, warm and poorly ventilated environments, the eggs or larvae of these pests will hatch and develop into adults in rice.
Small black bugs appear in the rice usually due to improper storage or humid temperatures, which cause the eggs to hatch. Here are some ways to deal with black worms in rice:
1. Freezing method:
Divide the infested rice into sealable plastic bags, squeeze out as much air as possible and seal well.
Place the bag in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator and keep it for at least 48 hours. Low temperature can effectively kill insects and eggs.
2. Exposure to the sun:
On a sunny day, spread the rice out on a clean container or cloth and expose it to the sun.
Black bugs are afraid of sunlight and heat and will crawl out or die on their own. After drying, it is sieved to remove dead bugs and eggs.
3. Physical separation method:
The rice is sifted through a sieve and the worms are isolated through different sizes of pores.
4. Ventilation method:
Place the rice in a well-ventilated area and allow the bugs to crawl out on their own.
5. Insect repellent assistance:
Place some items with natural insect repellent effects such as peppercorns, garlic cloves, dried camphor leaves, etc., in a rice pot or rice bag.
6. Chemical control:
If the pest infestation is severe, the use of phosphotazinc or the correct use of food-grade insect repellent according to the instructions for fumigation can be considered, but this method may affect food safety and is generally not recommended for daily use at home.
7. Preventive measures:
When storing rice, you should choose a dry, dark, and ventilated environment, and use containers or rice bags with good sealing performance to avoid moisture infestation and insect infestation.
After the rice has been processed, make sure that there are no bugs or their residues before cooking and eating. At the same time, regularly check the grain storage situation, clean up in time and properly store the newly purchased rice.
However, ingestion of small black worms may cause psychological discomfort, and some people may have allergic reactions or other digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. If these symptoms occur, especially if they persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult a doctor. For children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, due to differences in physical fitness, they may be sensitive to insects or the bacteria they carry, so it is also necessary to pay close attention to the reaction after accidental ingestion, and seek help from a doctor if necessary.
In conclusion, although the small black worm itself does not contain toxins, if a pest is found in food, not only should the contaminated food be discarded from the perspective of food safety, but also care should be taken to improve the storage conditions to prevent similar situations from happening again. If you do accidentally ingest, there is no need to panic, but if you feel unwell, you should seek medical attention in time.