pea seed "weavil" - Ask Extension
I just harvested my remaining peas to save seed. I used to do this with no problem. However, the last few years the stored seeds have been infested ...
Knowledgebase
pea seed "weavil" #939382
Asked July 15, 2026, 1:53 PM EDT
I just harvested my remaining peas to save seed. I used to do this with no problem. However, the last few years the stored seeds have been infested with a weavil type beetle. Is there something I should do to the pea seed before I store them...or perhaps store them differently? I used to just store them in my basement shed in a capped jar.
I learned a lot online how to prevent them in the garden but not how to store the pea seeds or to identify them before I store them. . Ugh! maybe the damage is already done....
Thanks
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Tony,
Thank you for using Ask Extension.
I looked up this pest in a couple of places. What I read is that infestation is hard to predict because the hole created by the larvae is sealed so you can't tell what is infested and what is not.
I did find this article on general seed-saving. What I found is that it recommends using silica gel to reduce the water in the seeds prior to long-term storage.
A step-by-step guide to saving seeds | OSU Extension Service
To prevent the pea beetle problem, fumigation of the seeds is recommended but I don't know how you could do this as a home gardener.
It may be time to ditch the seeds you have and start with new, commercial seeds since what you have is probably re-infesting your crop.
I know that true crop rotation in the home garden is difficult because most home gardens don't have the size for effective separation. What you can do is skip a crop for a season or two because if the pest doesn't have what it needs, they typically move on.
I did find this article from Idaho regarding lifecycle and controls but there are no chemical controls for the home gardener.
Pea weevils | University of Idaho
Thank you for using Ask Extension.
I looked up this pest in a couple of places. What I read is that infestation is hard to predict because the hole created by the larvae is sealed so you can't tell what is infested and what is not.
I did find this article on general seed-saving. What I found is that it recommends using silica gel to reduce the water in the seeds prior to long-term storage.
A step-by-step guide to saving seeds | OSU Extension Service
To prevent the pea beetle problem, fumigation of the seeds is recommended but I don't know how you could do this as a home gardener.
It may be time to ditch the seeds you have and start with new, commercial seeds since what you have is probably re-infesting your crop.
I know that true crop rotation in the home garden is difficult because most home gardens don't have the size for effective separation. What you can do is skip a crop for a season or two because if the pest doesn't have what it needs, they typically move on.
I did find this article from Idaho regarding lifecycle and controls but there are no chemical controls for the home gardener.
Pea weevils | University of Idaho
