Is expensive rice getting wasted? Mites can be contracted by one mistake! If you know the correct storage method then insects will not attack.

Bhilwara: It is generally seen that in every house, whether it is Sunday or Monday or every other day or two, rice is prepared or a unique list of rice is prepared. It is an essential part of our daily diet and is used daily in almost every household. But if rice is not stored properly, insects, mites and cockroaches start infesting it. Due to this the rice gets spoiled and becomes unfit for eating. Many times expensive rice becomes useless within a few days, which also causes financial loss. In such a situation, it is important that to keep the rice safe for a long time, easy and home remedies should be adopted, which can protect the rice from insects without any expense.

Clove is a very easy and effective solution to protect rice from insects. Putting 5-6 cloves in a box of rice keeps insects and cockroaches away. The strong aroma of clove and its natural antiseptic properties do not allow insects to come near. The special thing is that when new rice is bought and filled in the box, only then cloves should be added to it. This eliminates the possibility of insects growing from the beginning and the rice remains safe for a long time.

Neem and garlic are also considered natural insect repellents. Keeping dry neem leaves in a rice container prevents insects and mites. The bitter smell of Neem drives away insects. At the same time, 2–3 whole cloves of garlic also help in keeping the rice safe. Keep in mind that keep the garlic with the peel, because without the peel, moisture can escape from the garlic, which increases the risk of spoiling the rice.

Turmeric and dry red chilli are also effective home remedies to protect rice from insects. Putting 4-5 pieces of turmeric in a box of rice prevents cockroaches and insects from growing. The natural antimicrobial properties present in turmeric keep the grains safe for a long time. Similarly, adding 4–5 dried red chillies and their pungent smell keeps insects away. This solution is useful not only for rice but also for other grains like pulses and wheat.

If insects start appearing in large numbers in rice, boric acid can be used. Tie boric acid powder in a small cloth and place it in the middle of the rice pot. This eliminates insects and cockroaches. However, caution is necessary with this remedy. Whenever you take out rice for cooking, wash it thoroughly four to five times, so that there is no damage of any kind and the rice remains completely safe.

To protect the rice from insects, it is very important to expose it to sunlight from time to time. Take out the rice from the box and spread it in the sun for 1 to 2 hours. Due to the heat of the sun, the insects hidden in the rice come out and the moisture also disappears. After this, cool the rice thoroughly and fill it in a clean and dry container. By adopting these easy home remedies, rice can be preserved for a long time and wastage of food can be avoided.