How to Get Rid of Moths in Kitchen Cupboards

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By Melynda Sorrels
eHow Contributing Writer

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Get Rid of Moths in Kitchen Cupboards

Reminiscent of a bad horror movie, moths in kitchen cupboards pose a very creepy problem. No one wants to go into the kitchen for a snack and have a moth fly out of the cupboard at them. These moths, even though there are several different types of them, are often referred to as pantry moths. Pantry moths sneak into homes and dwell in cupboards where there is food. Battling these moths isn't always easy, but it's necessary.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Pine-Sol Clean cloth Bay leaves Cheesecloth Twist ties Peppermint extract

Step 1

Throw away all food items in the cupboard, open or not. Moths have ways of getting into closed bags and containers, and even if you can't see them, don't assume that they haven't gotten in and left eggs or larvae. It is best to err on the side of caution on this one.
Step 2

Mix a solution of equal parts Pine-Sol and water. Use a clean cloth dipped in the solution to wipe down the inside of the cupboards. Leave the cupboards open to completely dry out.
Step 3

Crush up bay leaves and place them in cheesecloth tied up with a twist tie. Keep the little bay leaf satchels in the cupboards, and replace the bay leaves with fresh ones once a month.
Step 4

Pour peppermint extract into a small dish and place it inside the cupboards. Be sure to place them so that they will not spill on anything in the cupboards.

Tips & Warnings

Consider putting as many food items as possible in the freezer or refrigerator to keep moths out of it. Many commercial moth traps are available on the market, but many contain pesticides that may be harmful to people and pets, so use caution.