Rice weevils (and other pantry beetles) are a nuisance: they breed fast in warm, humid conditions and can make stored rice, flour and dried goods inedible. A common household tip — tucking aromatic spices or garlic into rice sacks — shows up in many kitchens worldwide. Below is a fresh English rewrite of the Vietnamese how-to you linked, expanded by about 20%, and backed up with guidance from university extension services and pest-science studies so you know what works, why, and when to use other measures. (Original Vietnamese article). Tạp Chí Đời Sống

The two quick methods (what the Vietnamese post recommends)

1) The scent sachet method (garlic + spices)

Make a tiny aromatic sachet and drop it into your rice bag or storage container to discourage weevils:

• Put a few unpeeled garlic cloves together with whole spices such as star anise, whole peppercorns or cloves inside a clean single-use mask, a square of cheesecloth, or a small breathable cloth bag. Tie or clip it closed.
• Tuck the sachet into the rice sack or the storage bin. The strong aroma is claimed to repel insects and many cooks say it helps. Replace the sachet every few weeks or when the smell fades.

Traditional and popular guides promote garlic, bay leaves or whole cloves for pantry protection; many home cooks report success using these strong scents as an extra barrier. (Allrecipes; household tips). Allrecipes+1

What the science says: some spices have real insect-deterrent or insecticidal properties in lab tests — cinnamon, star anise, black pepper, nutmeg and clove have been shown to reduce weevil reproduction or act as oviposition deterrents in controlled studies. That suggests spice sachets can add a layer of protection, though they are not a guaranteed, stand-alone cure for heavy infestations. PMC

Caveat: evidence about fresh garlic cloves is mixed. A few laboratory trials and agricultural studies indicate garlic essential oil can repel or kill stored-product pests at particular concentrations, but other tests show limited effect against some species. In practice, garlic sachets are a low-risk, traditional deterrent — helpful as part of a broader strategy but not a guaranteed fix for established infestations. ResearchGate+1

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2) The freezer method (kill eggs and insects)

If you suspect eggs or hidden weevils in a small bag or box of rice, you can neutralize them with cold:

• Seal the rice tightly in a freezer-safe bag, press out excess air, and place it in your freezer for at least 48–72 hours. For best results many extension guides recommend freezing at 0°F (−18°C) for about 3 days to ensure all life stages are killed. Yard and Garden+1

Why this works: weevil larvae and adults are killed by sustained cold; some extension services also cite heat treatments (brief exposure to ~140°F/60°C) as an alternative for small amounts. For larger, heavily infested grain stores, professional treatment or disposal may be required. Yard and Garden

Practical note: freezing is ideal for small batches — nuts, flours and rice packages — but is impractical for huge storage bins. After freezing, transfer rice to airtight containers to prevent re-infestation. University of Maryland Extension

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If you already have weevils: a short action plan

1. Isolate and inspect: Move suspect packages out of the pantry and check for live adults, larvae, webbing or frass (insect dust). Better Homes & Gardens

2. Kill or discard infested goods: Small infested packets can be frozen or heated (see above). Severely infested or crumbly packages are best discarded in a sealed bag outside the home. Yard and Garden+1

3. Deep-clean the pantry: Vacuum shelves and corners, then wipe down surfaces with hot, soapy water or a 1:1 vinegar solution to remove eggs and food residues. Clean cracks and crevices where eggs could hide. Better Homes & Gardens

4. Monitor & prevent re-entry: Store new purchases in airtight glass, metal, or heavy plastic containers; consider bay leaves or whole-spice sachets as an extra deterrent and replace them regularly. (Bay leaves are a common, harmless pantry hack and may help deter some insects.) Allrecipes+1

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Longer-term prevention — the evidence-backed basics

• Buy smart and inspect. Check packaging at the store for holes, chew marks or dusty residue; don’t bring infested products home. Better Homes & Gardens
• Store dry goods airtight and cool. Low humidity and cool temperatures slow or stop insect reproduction — a key reason sealed containers and refrigeration/freezing for long-term storage are recommended by extensions. University of Maryland Extension+1
• Rotate pantry stock. Use older bags first; long storage increases the chance of infestation. extension.sdstate.edu
• Consider whole spices or dried aromatics (bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves) inside containers as a complementary measure; lab work shows some of these spices can inhibit weevil reproduction when present in certain concentrations. But remember — aroma is a supplement, not a substitute, for airtight storage and cleanliness. PMC+1

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Final notes and realistic expectations

• Scent sachets (garlic + spices) are a harmless, low-cost traditional trick that many households swear by. Science gives partial support — especially for dried spices at sufficient concentrations — but results vary by insect species, spice type and how the sachet is used. Use this method as part of a prevention plan, not as your only defence. PMC+1

• Freezing small quantities for ~72 hours is an effective and proven way to kill weevils in home-scale packages; university extension services recommend this for saving lightly infested foodstuffs. For large or persistent infestations, professional pest control or disposal may be necessary. Yard and Garden+1

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Selected sources and further reading: Iowa State / Yard & Garden extension on rice/granary weevils (heat or freeze treatments). Yard and Garden
University of Maryland Extension (stored-product pest prevention and freezer tips). University of Maryland Extension
Peer-reviewed study on insecticidal/oviposition deterrent properties of common spices (shows cinnamon, star anise, cloves and others can inhibit weevil reproduction). PMC
Research on garlic essential oil’s activity against Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil) — promising in lab trials but variable in practice. ResearchGate
Practical home-cleanup and pantry-care guidance (Better Homes & Gardens / consumer pest pages). Better Homes & Gardens