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Lucknow. Storing wheat for the year is a common tradition in Indian kitchens and farmers’ homes. But during this long period the biggest challenge is to protect the grains from ‘weevils’. Weevil is a small insect which, once it gets into a sack or drum of wheat, destroys months of hard work and grains worth thousands of rupees. Chemical pesticides available in the market can make grains poisonous, that is why even today in villages, the old native remedies of grandmothers are considered to be the most effective and safe. Let us know the panacea for protecting wheat from weevils for a whole year without any chemical.

The first rule is to dry in harsh sunlight.

The most important step is to completely remove moisture from wheat before storing it. After harvesting or bringing wheat from the market, spread it thoroughly and dry it in strong sunlight for at least 2 to 3 days. Apart from this, clean the iron or plastic airtight drum (tank) in which you are going to keep the wheat from inside and expose it to bright sunlight. Remember, there should not be a single grain of old grain left in the corners of the drum, as that is where the new wheat is most at risk of weevils developing.

Dry neem leaves will become ‘natural protector’

Neem is considered the best natural insecticide in Ayurveda. It has been used for storing wheat for centuries. For this, first dry the fresh neem leaves thoroughly in the shade. Keep in mind that there should not be any moisture in the leaves, otherwise the wheat may rot. Spread these dry leaves in between the layers of wheat. Due to the strong smell of Neem, mites and other insects do not come near the grains. Some rural farmers also apply a little neem oil on the inner surface of the sack or drum, which acts as a protective shield.

Perfect combination of garlic cloves and whole salt

If you are storing wheat in moderate quantity, then garlic and whole (ground) salt present in the kitchen can do a great job for you. The strong smell of garlic is very effective in repelling insects. While filling the wheat, add dried garlic cloves (without peeling) in between. Along with this, to absorb moisture, tie whole salt in a small bundle of cotton cloth and keep it in the middle of the drum. Salt should not come in direct contact with wheat. This bundle will absorb the excess moisture inside the drum and an environment will not be created for the growth of mites.

Don’t make the mistake of keeping bags on the ground

No matter how many measures you take, if you do not follow the correct method of storage, insects are bound to get there. Never keep wheat sacks or drums directly on the ground. Always spread a wooden pallet below so that dampness from the ground does not reach the grains. Apart from this, open the lid of the drum once every 15 to 20 days and check the grains regularly. If by mistake you notice a weevil somewhere in the initial stage, immediately take out the entire wheat and spread it in the harsh sunlight. With these small precautions, your wheat will remain safe and healthy throughout the year.