Pantry moths are one of the most bothersome pests to have to deal with; they ruin your food and lay eggs everywhere. Pantry moths can be identified by their whitish-grey color and are generally no larger than an inch or two. The moment you see a pantry moth, immediately address the problem unless you want to see your pantry crawling with moths. Once you find one, there are sure to be many others nearby, either hidden or visible. In a nutshell, you must first kill the existing infestation of moths and then take steps to prevent them from ever returning. Read on to learn exactly how to get rid of pantry moths.
Pantry moths live for one reason – to create more moths. Though these moths only have a two-week life span after reaching adulthood, the females are capable of laying up to 400 eggs at a time. Pantry moths leave behind cocoon webbing and worm-like larvae, typically within dry food products. Although they prefer dried food, they also tend to infest flours, grains, candy, and similar foods. Look for any open containers or cereal boxes and clean these out. Even if you don’t see anything that may indicate pantry moths have been there, it’s a good idea to clean out containers and throw out old open boxes. If you are throwing anything out, make sure you keep this trash separate from your other trash, and leave it outside when you finish.
If the degree of infestation is worse or if you just want to be thorough, it may be a good idea to clean every crevice and every corner with soapy water. Even door hinges and the sides of a door can harbor moth larvae, so overlook any area if you want to be complete. Dry the cleaned areas thoroughly, and then vacuum these areas. These are breeding grounds for pantry moths that love to snack on dry foods and grains. Next, wipe shelves, food containers, and other surfaces with white vinegar. For added protection, you can also repel pantry moths using other herbs such as peppermint, coriander, bay leaves, and black pepper.
By following these steps, you will have a moth-free pantry in no time. Furthermore, to prevent future infestation, you will want to store all your foods in airtight containers. You can also try freezing your food to kill off moths and larvae.
If you followed all these instructions and still find yourself with a moth infestation, you may want to find professional help. If you need help finding a specialist, consider using TalkLocal to find a quality pest control specialist for you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with pest control companies in your neighborhood within minutes. Just enter in your specific problem, location and availability into the online form and up to three companies will call YOU directly, saving you the time and stress of finding one yourself.
