How to Avoid Infestations of Pantry Moths

Pantry moths, also known as Mediterranean flour moths, are a known home pest that attack food that has been stored for a long period of time. While certain foods are more prone to getting infested, most open containers are at risk. Read on for some techniques to keep these pests at bay.

Instructions

1. Look through your food storage areas and see if there are items that have been infected. Pantry moths tend to hover around the area where they eat, so you will either see them flying or walking on pantry doors or containers.

2. Discard any containers that have been infected. When you look inside, you should either see the moths themselves or larvae, which tends to look like a small cocoon. Food that has been infected cannot be recovered, and while it’s not necessarily toxic, infected food that is not thrown away will just extend the cycle.

3. Clean the area thoroughly with a damp cloth and dish soap. If you see crumbs or small food particles in corners or cracks, try vacuuming the whole area to ensure that nothing gets left behind.

4. Place bay leaves inside open boxes of grains and flour bags. Pantry moths hate the scent and will stay away. You can also try placing the leaves in the corners of closed pantries to prevent moths from laying eggs.

5. Use airtight containers to store grains, flour and cereals once the box or bag has been opened. This is especially important if you live in a humid climate where pantry moths proliferate.

Tips & Warnings

• Apart from grains and flour, pantry moths are also attracted to pet and bird food, so make sure you protect these items as well.

• Keeping pantries clean and picking up spills as soon as they happen will lower the chances of moths being attracted to the area.