Are There Bugs in Your Pea Seeds? The Truth About Pea Weevils and Microgreens

Table of Contents

• Pea Crops and Common Pests

• Why Do Insects Appear After You Buy the Seeds?

• Are Pea Weevils a Risk for Microgreens?

• How to Identify Pea Weevils in Seeds

• What to Do If You Find Weevils

• How Growers Manage Pea Weevils

• Legal Regulations Regarding Insects in Edible Seeds

• Final Thoughts: Stay Calm, Grow Confidently

 

1. Peas and Pests: The Realities of Cultivation 

Peas are one of the most popular legumes for microgreens due to their ease of cultivation, fast harvest cycle, and mild sweet taste. However, like all crops, peas can face certain challenges—among them, the risk of pest infestation. One particular insect stands out as the most relevant to microgreens growers: the pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum) – A small pea beetle whose larvae develop inside seeds...

While multiple pests can affect pea crops in the field, the pea weevil is the only one likely to impact microgreens growers. Its presence may not become visible until weeks after you receive the seeds—leading to surprise and questions. But don’t worry. It's completely manageable and far less of a threat than it may seem.

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Common Pests in Pea Crops 🐛

• Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum) – A small beetle whose larvae develop inside pea seeds, leaving behind round exit holes.

• Pea Moth (Cydia nigricana) – A moth whose caterpillars bore into pods and feed on developing seeds.

• Sitona Beetles (Sitona spp.) – Beetles that damage pea leaves, with larvae feeding on roots and nitrogen-fixing nodules.

• Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) – Sap-sucking insects that weaken plants and can transmit viral diseases.

• Seedcorn Maggot (Delia platura) – A fly whose larvae feed on germinating seeds and young seedlings.

 

2. Why Do Weevils Emerge After You Buy the Seeds? 

It all comes down to the lifecycle of the pea weevil 🐛. Here’s a breakdown:

• Eggs: The female lays her tiny, white eggs directly onto young pods while peas are blooming in the field.

• Larva: Eggs are laid directly onto young pods by the female pea weevil during the flowering phase. Upon hatching, the larva bores into the seed and begins feeding. Since the seed is still young and soft, the entry hole is nearly invisible.

• Healing: As the seed continues to grow, the initial hole seals up naturally, leaving no visible sign of damage.

• Development: The larva matures inside the seed, feeding for three to four weeks depending on temperature.

• Emergence: Once the larva matures inside the seed, it transforms into an adult pea weevil, which then exits through a small round hole —usually after harvest, during storage or shipment.

Cool storage environments help delay the weevil’s development, often preventing emergence until much later. However, once the seeds are moved to warmer conditions—such as a storage room or home growing area—the weevils may complete their lifecycle and emerge.

3. Pea Weevils and Microgreens: Are They a Threat?

Absolutely not. Pea weevils do not harm microgreens or pose any danger to human health. They feed exclusively on the seeds of legumes (like peas, fava beans, and broad beans) during the flowering and early pod stages in the field.

Once sprouted as microgreens, there is no risk of the weevil continuing its lifecycle or damaging the crop. Even if a seed had a weevil larva inside, it typically does not affect germination or crop quality.

In fact, up to 90% of "damaged" seeds will still germinate and grow healthy microgreens. Occasionally, affected seeds may produce slightly weaker sprouts, but overall performance is rarely compromised.

📚 Read more about growing pea microgreens 🧑‍🌾

4. How to Spot Weevil Activity in Pea Seeds 🧐

Signs of infestation include:

• Small round exit holes in the seed coat

• Transparent "windows" where larvae once were

• Dark specks on the surface

• Presence of adult beetles in the packaging

Simple water soaking techniques help you identify an infested seed, which often floats due to internal hollowness while healthy ones sink. This easy floatation method is a great way to sort seeds before sowing.

Holes in Pea Seeds  ⬇️

5. What to Do If You Find a Weevil 🐛

Don't panic. Weevils do not affect your crop's safety or yield. Instead, focus on best practices:

• Store seeds in a cool space (below 10°C) to slow down any hidden larvae.

• Keep your growing space clean and well ventilated.

• Use sticky insect traps or UV bug zappers—especially important in food production facilities.

• Buy seeds only from trusted, quality-controlled suppliers.

With proper storage and hygiene, you can grow your microgreens with confidence—without worrying about pests.

Do Freezing or Heating Work?

While extreme cold (e.g. -18°C for 4 days) or heat (55–60°C for 10–15 minutes) can kill the larvae, these methods also destroy seed viability. That’s why pre-harvest field management is key—it prevents infestation before seeds are harvested and stored.

6. How Do Growers Prevent Infestation? 

Seed producers apply preventative field treatments to control pea weevils during early development stages of pea crops. Growers use eco-friendly treatments with active substances that break down quickly, leaving no chemical residue on the mature seed.

For certified organic production, natural strategies are used instead—these are chosen and implemented by our trusted seed producers. We at MP SEEDS are committed to sourcing clean, safe, and high-quality seeds with minimal use of chemicals. 🌱

7. Legal Regulations Regarding Insects in Edible Seeds

Most countries allow trace levels of insect presence in food-grade seeds, as long as purity and health standards are met. All MP SEEDS products follow EU guidelines and meet strict quality control criteria.

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8. Conclusion: Don’t Let a Weevil Ruin Your Harvest 

Even premium-quality seeds can sometimes host hidden pea weevil larvae. But now you know: they are not a real threat to microgreens. With proper storage and sanitation, you can grow your microgreens with confidence.

At MP SEEDS, our mission is to provide the best seeds for microgreens, balancing high performance with responsible production. Because when it comes to growing fresh, nutritious greens—quality and peace of mind matter.

Looking for certified pea seeds for microgreens? Explore our full collection here: ►Microgreens Pea Seeds