how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

How do you store rice, pasta, couscous etc.? the other night I went to make a new stuffed peppers recipe that called for rice; decided to use couscous. i opened a BRAND new box and there were bugs in it. Gross. So then I take out the brown rice, which I had opened already but sealed in a ziploc, and there were also bugs in it - LIVE ones.

A week ago I was going to make spaghetti for DH but we only had regular (we use whole wheat a lot) and it was looking weird in the (unopened) box and when I slid out the spaghetti - guess what? more bugs. WHAT am I doing wrong? DH checked a bunch of other things like the flour, graham crackers etc. and they were fine. It's just the pasta and rice type stuff that is a problem.

How should I be storing these things, do you think? unfortunately we don't go through them very quickly.

TIA!!!!

Re: how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

I usually store grains in an air tight container. The pastas are left in the box intiil I use them.

Did you buy the same brand cous cous? maybe try another brand?

Re: how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

it is the same brand but it's other stuff too like the rice. maybe i'm just keeping stuff too long.

thanks for responding.

Re: how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

Are they moths? Pantry moths are a ****** to get rid of and they find a way to get into what seems like sealed stuff.

I keep my grains in OXO airtight POP containers. I haven't had a single challenge with critters since using them.

Re: how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

ew, I hope those bugs would be noticeable bc I store mine in ziploc bags and never noticed any bugs. Ew!

Re: how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

Re: how do you store grains (pasta, rice, etc.)?

These might have come from the grocery store itself if you only noticed it in 2 boxes.

I bought brand new special shaped pasta and brought it home and opened it and the bugs were in there. I was sooo ****** since I went out of the way to get the right shape, ended up using some penne or something I had on hand.

I just store things in the regular boxes and I don't get bugs - do you have your garbage in the same pantry area? My mom used to have this and even though the garbage was covered she always had bugs, I am scared by it and always check everything before using.

You could also put unopened or opened boxes in freezer ziplock bags. The extra layer should be enough to keep bugs out.