Wipe down all pantry shelves with hot soapy water or vinegar. Add a few bay leaves to each container of stored seeds, flours, grains, or dried fruit. Theyre prevalent in the U.S. and are particularly common in warmer climates. One female pantry moth can lay up to 400 eggs, making your food even more susceptible once those eggs hatch. Remember, pantry moths will eat right through those materialsso unless its in glass or tupperware, get rid of it. If you use a bagless vacuum or dust buster, wash out the dust compartment thoroughly so that you do not harbor moth larvae inside the filter. If you're dealing with these pests in a home environment, then the most relevant step (and often the only one necessary) is to ensure that. Although pantry moths are known to enter your home through doors and windows or openings around vents and cables, they almost always gain entry through purchased dry food items that were contaminated at the food processing or packaging plant. Dont store anything in your pantry that isnt in hard plastic or glass containers. They are known by several common names including pantry moth, Indian meal moth, flour moth, weevil moth, and grain moth. Unfortunately, pantry months have developed resistance to the common agents used to kill them. Step 2: Keep your plants healthy by following good cultural and agronomic methods. Simply spray the solution on surfaces and wipe down with a cloth. Also, if you have one, your cookie jar. So what should you do if you have pantry moths in your home? Place the trap at the opposite end of the room as your pantry, as you dont want to attract anything new to your clean pantry. The presence of small caterpillars or adult moths in or near the pantry is a sure sign of infestation. Wipe down the pantry with vinegar, warm water, and peppermint oil. Our guide will walk you through how to rid yourself of the issue without resorting to any harmful chemicals. The first thing you want to do if you suspect that you have pantry moths is to empty your pantry and inspect the contents. Carefully inspect all food packaging before purchasing it at your local market and once purchased, store dry good in airtight, glass/hard plastic/tin containers. The most important thing to do is to stay vigilant and inspect your pantry often, cleaning up any spills or messes, discarding any old open products and using the 50/50 vinegar solution to clean regularly. After that, theyre in the larvae stage, which is actually where most of the real damage to your pantry items takes place. garbage bags. Once wiped down, vacuum the area thoroughly. Spraying cupboards, particularly the edges and corners of shelves with provide lasting protection from the larvae. Dry clean or wash other clothes in hot water and tumble dry on high heat. While it may make you feel quite squeamish, it is also not dangerous to accidentally consume pantry moth larvae or their eggs. If you have thrown anything away in your kitchen trash can, double bag the items and take them to your outdoor can. If you cannot eradicate the issue on your own, get in touch with a pest control company like Excel Termite & Pest Control. Thoroughly wipe down every single surface, getting in any cracks, holes or tiny spots that eggs or larvae could be hiding. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and add 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (moths hate this scent) in a squirt bottle. Freezing your clothing is another effective method of killing eggs and moths larvae. Clean the Pantry. First, completely vacuum out any debris in your pantry. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. Then throw out the vacuum bag right away or empty the dust cup outside and wash it thoroughly, as it may contain eggs. An easy way to kill pantry moths is cold temperatures! Early indicators are usually if you see silky webs on or around your dry goods, small holes in your packaging and in some cases an odd smell in infested goods where eggs are present. There is good news and bad news surrounding pantry moths: Pantry moths cause no physical harm to people or pets; they do not bite or sting or cause any seriously health risks. The Pantry moth (P. inerpentella) is one of the several insects known to feed on stored grains and other dried food. To Ensure The Above Measures Work: Set a few moth pheromone traps around the house. Step 5 - Clean out your Pantry / Kitchen Cupboards With all shelving clear of food and containers, start by vacuuming all surfaces and paying particular attention to signs of moths in cupboard corners, cracks and crevices. Along the way, look for larval sacs (or webs of any sort). This meal moth is very common in the United States, and they stand out from other moths due to their love for stored foods typically found in the cupboard or pantry. Also called indian meal moths, these pesky critters can be quite difficult to get rid of. You can restock your pantry once the spray has dried. Squeeze sealed bags to ensure they're still airtight. Dont leave a single crumb behind. If youre intent on keeping any jars thatve been kept in an affected area, wash the jars under hot, soapy water in combination with a scrub brush. And just to be on the safe side, why not bleach your mop head? You may try a hypoallergenic Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Soap, which is based on plant extracts and sodium lauryl sulfate. Besides coming home with you from the grocery store, pantry moths can get in through doors, windows or any cracks you may have in your home. The larvae are able to eat through these materials and spread to other containers. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and add 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (moths hate this scent) in a squirt bottle. Under canned goods, theyve even been found under canned good wrappers! Yes, pantry moths can eat through plastic and cardboard! Nip the pantry moth problem in the bud by getting rid of all pantry items and thoroughly cleaning your entire pantry. In addition to contaminating your food and causing unnecessary waste, recovering from an infestation can be very time-consuming and expensive. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. 2. Pantry moths keep coming back because they are attracted to food sources. The first step in fighting a pantry moth infestation is to inspect all food in your pantry. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. 3. If you notice these areas are a problem consider using caulk to seal them to prevent future issues. After youve cleaned your pantry and hopefully removed any remaining evidence of the moths or larvae, dont immediately put your food back. You can easily place the items that can't be dried on high heat in the freezer. In this video, I'm sharing all the steps I've taken to get rid of pantry moths. Mason jars work well for storing snacks, and you can use these storage containers for cereals, pasta and flour. After all, its easier to clean a single cabinet than it is clean every cabinet with food inside. If youve ever opened your pantry and had little moths flying into your face youve probably got a pantry month infestation. Have you ever brought a bag of rice home from the store and opened it to find what looked like a small insect? She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros. How Traps Work. If youre looking for advice on maintaining, renovating or creating something for your home youre in the right place. All Rights Reserved. Grain-based products like flour, cereal, pasta, and baking mixes are moth favorites, along with nuts and sweets. Through her work, she hopes to bring greater awareness to the ins and outs of design and construction so others can feel confident in their home improvement projects. Pantry moths are not dangerous, but they are a nuisance and hard to eliminate. 3 Ways to get Rid of Pantry Moths. Nothing is safe. [7] Pantry moths hate peppermint oil, so this will work to repel them in the future. So check under the lids of jars; moths are known to lay eggs here. Empty out the affected areacompletely. If this isnt an option for you, try freezing your new groceries for two or three days before placing them in your usual storage area to kill any eggs or larvae that may have been present on the packaging. Vacuum areas that are close to the pantry, as well including the ceiling directly above your pantry. Pantry moths are grey, brown and tan in color and these pests will literally feed on almost any dry food (include your pet food!). Additionally, pantry moths tend to be particularly attracted to pet food and surprisingly, bird seed. Trichogramma wasps are even used to prevent pests on vegetable and fruit crops! Now you are going to clean like you've never cleaned before. Indian meal moths are associated with dried foodstuffs. When youre finished wiping everything down, add some bay leaves to the area (another known pantry moth repellent). Seal them in airtight bags and . Pantry Moths. During the larvae stage the little worm-like critters will go on an eating binge, consuming everything in reach making their way through your bread, flour, rice, crackers and cookies. Transferring dried goods to glass, tin or sealed plastic containers is also a great way to prevent infestations or at least isolate them should they occur. Moths are one of 13 common pests covered with a Terminix Pest Control Plan. Finally, scrub. The strong scent of the bay leaf deters moths and beetles from living in your pantry and kitchen. Replace any traction-grip or paint that may have begun to rot or corrode. Inspect all food in your pantry for signs of infestation: Look for pantry moth larvae in and on food packaging. Give your pantry or dry goods storage cupboard the most thorough cleaning of our life! Online shops such as In Essence carry pure, high grade essential oils which will work best. Together Ashley and her husband, Daniel help homeowners renovate and decorate their home by sharing their knowledge, expertise and passion. You probably dont visit your stockpile near as often as you visit your pantry, so it would be easy for a problem to go unnoticed. Our Pest Control Service can help you get rid of pantry pests and restore your home to optimal pantry pest-free status. Check for: Although grain-based products such as flour, pasta, baking mixes, and cereal are pantry moth favorites (along with sweets & nuts), do not limit your inspection to these pantry items. It pays to patient. To get rid of pantry moths, you'll have to find the food that brought them into your house and throw it out, ASAP. But first, let us discuss what pantry moths are, what attracts them, andwhat makes them harmful. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the edges and in the corners of your pantry shelves. USE PHEROMONE TRAPS One of the burdens of a pantry pest presence is the sensitive nature of the infested areanamely your food. Vacuum all shelves and corners, then wash with soap and water. Placing dried bay leaves in your containers and throughout your pantry is a great way to prevent these pests from infesting your food products. Second, we also include links to advertisers offers in some of our articles; these affiliate links may generate income for our site when you click on them. These cause no harm to pets either and are completely natural. Bad news: they are extremely damaging to your pantry food, leading to a lot of contamination and waste. Thoroughly wipe down every single surface, getting in any cracks, holes or tiny spots that eggs or larvae could be hiding. They may also be attracted to other insects that are present in the pantry. Then wipe down your trash can with the vinegar solution. Meal moth Traps and pantry pest traps are generally constructed of cardboard or paper lined on the inside with pheromone impregnated . Act fast before they eat through (and lay eggs on) the stored food in your cabinets or pantry. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. Like other moths, pantry moths have four distinct life stages: egg, caterpillar, pupae and adult. Pantry Moth Glue Traps 3. Place the garbage bag next to your trash can and place in right before your trash is picked up. Pantry moth larvae, like the very hungry caterpillars they are, will eat their way through as many of your dried foods as they can before settling down to build their cocoons. How Much Does Ethernet Installation Cost. Hang Potent Lavender Bags Moth Deterrent 4. Inside the holes carved out for adjustable shelving. What Do Pantry Moths Eat. Sealing up and freezing containers that store food 9. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Mixing in a few drops of a fragrant essential oil like peppermint can also help deter any lingering moths. Don't re-enter or allow others to enter the treated area until dry and vapors have dispersed. If youve had a pretty bad infestation consider keeping food out of your pantry for weeks. Are you dealing with pantry moths? Pantry moths are a common kitchen pest akin to the more popular (albeit equally as obnoxious) closet moth. Using these traps will hopefully catch most of the male moths and stop breeding, but it wont do anything in the way of attracting female moths and finding moths that are in the larvae or cocoon stage. tb1234 Peppermint Oil Pantry Moth Repellent 1 cup of water 1 cup white vinegar Peppermint oil Spray bottle Sponge tb1234 Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. Do not discard of them in your kitchen trash can as this will do nothing but spread the problem! At a minimum, do this until you have had a chance to monitor the affected pantry to ensure the problem is completely eliminated. How to get rid of pantry moths 1. It's important that you inspect your entire pantry and not just packages or dry food that currently has pantry moths. For the best chance of getting rid of moths in your home, follow these tips: Change vacuum bags often to make sure you remove all larvae and eggs from your property. Your best bet is to completely remove everything from your pantry and thoroughly clean from top to bottom. Pantry moth eggs are tiny and easily missed by the human eye! Immediately following the disinfectant, take a vacuum cleaner and vacuum out your entire pantry, getting every single nook and cranny. Use a damp, soapy cloth and inspect the lids for signs of pantry moth cocoons before putting products on your pantry shelves. Include doors and walls, paying special attention to the undersides of drawers and shelves that are often neglected. The adult pantry moth is pretty small, measuring only to 3/8 inch in length with a wingspan of to inch. Pantry moths are a very common kitchen pest. Anything you suspect of being infested should be discarded immediately, preferably in an outdoor trash can. (Removing shelves, if possible, makes vacuuming easier.) Use of bay leaves and other herbs 8. Carefully check & wipe down all nooks & crannies. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Be sure that you are using air-tight containers and avoid jars or other twist-on lids which could serve as ideal spots for moths to lay eggs. Find licensed pest control experts in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project. How to clean a front load washer (and keep it fresh smelling, too! Be sure to rid your home of any full-grown moths as well so they dont continue to lay eggs and exacerbate the issue. A pantry is where food is stored and is the most common place for brown house moths to infest. This step is a hard pill for some people to swallow, but to be absolutely sure, its best to get rid of everything in your pantry in a cardboard or plastic container. They are known to cause terrible damage to food, spoiling it as it becomes invaded by their larvae. Dish soap or other food-safe cleansers White vinegar Instructions 1. Look for signs of eggs or small holes to indicate larvae that have chewed through the packaging. Getty. Seeing full-grown moths in your kitchen is a tell-tale sign that you already have a rather large infestation, so it is important to keep an eye out for early signs that you may have a problem. Check under the lids of jars for eggs or cocoons. Wash any jars or other containers carefully before returning them to storage. 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