BLACK BUGS OR CHIA SEEDS? (2024)

FAQs

What are the bugs that look like chia seeds? ›

Do you know how often we hear that someone's found weevils or black bugs in their protein powder?! It happens all the time! You can rest assured Happy Way fam! Because those little black bugs are actually the super, powerful superfood - chia seeds!

🌱 Identify pests early to prevent damage to your Chia plant. Tailored treatments like neem oil, insecticidal soap, or predators work best. 🛡️ Prevent invasions with proper watering, cleanliness, and beneficial insects.

What they are is contaminant species that have either been planted in the same fields as the chia previously (i.e. crop rotation), or have grown adventitiously as a weed species - either already present in the fields or transported and incidentally planted with the chia.

Basil seeds are black, tiny and round. Chia seeds are a bit larger, more oval in shape, and come in a variety of colours, including grey, brown, white and black. When it comes to immunity-boosting foods, many people wonder whether chia seeds are basil or sabja as both look similar at first glance.

These bugs do not bite or sting, nor do they cause damage to the home. They will, however, give off a pungent odor if you handle them, which is part of the insect's defensive strategy. They also may make a buzzing sound when flying.

The name “bed bugs” is enough to make anyone's skin crawl, but what exactly are these tiny insects and how do they wreak such havoc? Bed bugs are found throughout North America and beyond. These tiny, wingless insects are generally less than one-fourth of an inch long, nearly flat and shaped like a flax seed.

To maximize your efforts and eliminate any weevils roaming around, clean your kitchen with warm soapy water and follow up with a vinegar spray. This should get rid of any pesky pests sticking around. While this method may hurt your wallet, it's how to get rid of weevils naturally and for good.

Weevils are not harmful to humans, pets, houses, furniture, or clothing and don't carry any diseases. They are temporary nuisance pests that damage stored food products. If weevils infest a garden or field, they can damage plants and reduce crop yields.

No, there is no need to. Nature's Superfoods ensures that every batch of organic chia seeds we import is safe for human consumption (verified through microbiological testing at an accredited food laboratory).

Chia seeds can be eaten raw or added to recipes. Because the coating of chia seeds soaks up water rapidly, soaking chia seeds in milk or water for a few hours (or overnight) can give the seeds a tapioca pudding-like texture and makes them a great binder to hold baked goods together, like these Coconut-Chia Oat Crisps.

Are black chia seeds the same as chia seeds? ›

Chia seeds come in black and white varieties, but there is no difference in nutritional content.

Chia seeds are the tiny black seeds of the chia plant (Salvia hispanica). Native to Mexico and Guatemala, they were a staple food for the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. In fact, “chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength” (1). Chia seeds are small, flat, and oval-shaped with a shiny and smooth texture.

Chia seeds as part of a healthy diet

There is no RDA for chia seeds. Still, they can be safely eaten in amounts of 50 grams daily, which is about five tablespoons. Two tablespoons provide all of the nutritional benefits listed above. Soaked chia seeds have a gel-like texture.

Chia seeds come in black and white and, the good news is, according to Southern, that there's very little nutritional difference between the two. The black seeds tend to be slightly smaller than the white, so are more often used for eating; while the white ones work well ground into flour.

They soak water immediately. Since they have a slight basil taste, they are preferred mostly in drinks. Both of them are healthy and nutritious. Studies have shown that eating chia seeds can be beneficial when trying to lose weight, but there is no such study for basil seeds.

The western conifer seed bug is native of the United States. For a number of years, it was found in western states like California, Nevada and Oregon. Then, it began its slow migration across the country. It made its way to Michigan in the late 1980s and now is found as far east as Maine and New Brunswick, Canada.

The ​sawtoothed grain beetle​ is another common home pest that you might find in your food or pantry that looks similar to a seed. These beetles have flat, elongated bodies with short antenna. They measure about three millimeters long.

Black Aphids: Aphids, tiny insects ranging from 1 to 10 millimeters, feature deep black coloring similar to poppy seeds. Their pear-shaped bodies can be mistaken for seeds from a distance. Black aphids feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew, potentially leading to sooty mold and damage to plants and crops.

A newly hatched bed bug is semi-transparent, light tan in color, and the size of a poppy seed. Adult bed bugs are flat, have rusty-red-colored oval bodies, and are about the size of an apple seed.