Keep Rice Pest-Free: 8 Simple, Low-Cost Tips for Long-Lasting Storage

• Sun-dry new rice for a day and monthly to eliminate moisture and pest eggs, a free and effective method.
• Place neem leaf bundles among rice; their natural properties repel pests effectively.
• Mix cloves with rice; their continuous eugenol oil release deters pests while keeping cloves reusable.
• Use black pepper bundles (10 peppercorns per kg) to release a strong scent that pests avoid.
• Bay leaves, often found in biryani masala, can be placed in rice to keep it fresh and pest-free.
• Add 3-4 dried chilies to airtight rice containers; their pungent smell repels pests from rice and pulses.
• Scatter unpeeled garlic cloves (4-5 per kg) in rice; their strong odor drives pests away, replace every 15 days.
• Divide large rice quantities into smaller, airtight containers and avoid mixing old and new rice to prevent widespread infestation.