If You Let Kids Bring Acorns Indoors, Be Prepared For These Gross Intruders

Autumn’s almost here. You know, that transitional time where we embrace chunky knits, soothing soups and... acorn weevils?! Well, if you’re a parent of kids who love stashing acorns indoors, that is. Yup, according to Meaghan Williamson, of Mindfully Made Motherhood, “your toddler’s favourite acorns” might have weevils inside them. Skin = crawling. In a social media post (and general PSA for other clueless parents, like myself), Williamson said: “There are bugs called acorn weevils that lay their eggs inside the acorns while they’re still on the tree.“When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the inside of the acorn and chew their way out of it.”The mum added: “My biggest piece of advice: don’t let them bring acorns inside. Learn from my mistakes.”Ominous. Needless to say, parents were immensely grateful for the message so they could rid their homes of acorns pronto. “OMG I’m so happy you told me this,” said one commenter.“Not me freaking out that I currently have 5 acorns in my pocket,” said another mum. Others took the opportunity to share their own weevil-related horror stories. “I secretly brought a bucket of acorns into my room as a kid,” said one respondent. “A few weeks later, my room was filled with maggots.”Another said: “I made a beautiful fall display one year and used acorns. Lesson learned.”Can these wiggly friends be found in the UK, then? Well, yes.The Northumberland Wildlife Trust notes they’re across much of England, as far north as Yorkshire – but less widely distributed in the southwest. They are also dotted across Wales.After the female weevil lays her eggs inside the acorn, and they eventually hatch, the trust notes “the larvae live inside the acorn, feeding on it”.“When the acorn has fallen to the floor, they chew their way out and bury themselves in the ground. They’ll spend at least three winters underground, before eventually emerging as an adult in spring.”Alternatively, they’ll emerge from an acorn stashed on a windowsill (or, if you’re really lucky, your handbag/coat pocket) and wriggle around for a bit wondering what the heck has happened.The good news is that they’re harmless and more of a gross inconvenience than anything. But for everyone’s sake, it’s best to get them back outdoors ASAP.Related...Ants Eating Your Plants? The Answer’s Hiding In Your Kitchen CupboardLet’s Settle This — Do We Actually Swallow Spiders In Our Sleep?Brits Told To Rub Orange Peel On Windowsills This Month

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