When moths invade your home, they are likely to be found in your kitchen or pantry, as well as in closets or other places where you keep clothes. In fact, you can bring moths into your home from the grocery store without even knowing it. They can be found in food boxes and even sealed plastic bags. Before they reach their full size, the moths are so small that you may not even notice their presence before it’s too late.
How to get rid of pantry moths
moth caterpillars
The most common place to find moths is in the pantry. Look for corner straps and small holes in food containers. Sometimes you will find that part of your food is stuck on with some kind of sticky material or you may notice a strange smell. These are all signs that you have moths in your pantry and on your food. Sometimes you can also see the larvae or moths flying around your kitchen. Unfortunately, these moths can take six to eight weeks to complete their life cycle, so getting rid of them can be an ongoing struggle. It’s also frustrating to deal with because you have to limit the amount of pesticides you use in the kitchen; You can’t exactly spray pesticides on your box of Cheerios, right? So here is how to do it:
1. Identify all the places where moths are present.
2. Clean these areas exceptionally well.
3. Remove all items from areas.
4. Clean Area Thoroughly:
* Vacuum all surfaces, walls, shelves, cabinets, rugs, etc.
* Scrub hard surfaces with a mixture of hot water and detergent. Scrub every inch because moth larvae can get into even the smallest spaces. If the shelf is removable, take it out and clean the edges and walls around it. Clean all surfaces that come into contact with food, including the spice rack.
* Follow scrubbing with a vinegar rinse. Put some white vinegar in a spray bottle, cover and wipe, or apply directly to a cloth and wipe all over.
5. Moths are likely to originate from one or more of the foods previously stored in this area. Discard all grain-based foods, even if they appear to be well-sealed. Also discard the nuts, raisins, flour, and tea. I know it’s hard to throw away all that food, but the alternative is not just reinfestation, but the possibility of eating moth larvae… yummm.
6. All remaining food containers and items should be thoroughly cleaned with the same detergent/water solution and vinegar rinse before returning to the freshly scrubbed area. A single egg or caterpillar left hanging from something can start this all over again, so be thorough.
7. Kill moths left flying in the air. You can do this with a fly swatter or moth traps. There are many commercial moth traps available, check with your local home improvement store.
Pantry Moth Reinfestation Prevention
Once the initial infestation is gone, take steps to prevent pantry moths from coming back. If you bring home grain-based products, immediately put them in the freezer for four days before storing them in your pantry. This will kill any eggs or larvae already inside. Store your moth biscuits in airtight containers made of hard plastic, glass, or metal, not plastic bags. The best way to determine if a container is truly airtight is to fill it with water and check for leaks. If you have frequent moth problems, consider storing all your grain-based products in the freezer instead of the pantry.
moths on your clothes
If you find moths on your clothing, the approach is much the same; interrupt their life cycle by killing the eggs and larvae. All clothing that is possibly infested should be laundered or dry cleaned. After you have done that, put the clothes in the freezer; smaller items can be placed in large Ziploc brand bags and frozen for two to three days. Take them out to thaw and then shake them vigorously to remove any dead larvae.
Next, clean the place where the clothes were stored. However, use a bleach solution and clean it thoroughly being careful to get into all the nooks and crannies. If it’s a closet, remove the shelves and rods. If it’s a dresser, remove the drawers and clean the bottom and interior surfaces; moth eggs and larvae can hide even in cracks.