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, 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 some of your food is stuck 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 a constant 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’s how to do it:
1. Identify all 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, carpets, 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, pull it out and clean the edges and walls around it. Clean all surfaces that come into contact with food, including the spice rack.
* Follow the scrub with a vinegar rinse. Put some white vinegar in a spray bottle, cover and wipe, or apply directly to a cloth and wipe everything clean.
5. The moths are likely to originate from one or more of the previously stored foods in this area. Throw away all grain-based foods, even if they appear to be well sealed. Also discard 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… yummmmm.
6. All remaining containers and food items should be thoroughly cleaned with the same detergent/water solution and vinegar rinse before returning to the area just scrubbed. A single egg or caterpillar left hanging on 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 your local home improvement store.
Preventing Larder Moth Reinfestation
Once the initial infestation is gone, take steps to prevent pantry moths from returning. If you bring grain-based products into the house, immediately put them in the freezer for four days before storing them in your pantry. This will kill any eggs or larvae that are 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 problems with moths, consider storing all your grain-based products in the freezer instead of the pantry.
moths on your clothes
If you find moths on your clothes, 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’ve 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 taking care 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 even hide in cracks.