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Step 1
Check all dry goods. This includes unopened boxed foods, pet foods, especially bird seed. Most of the bugs will be in the top four inches of food. Also look for holes in the boxes or webbing in the corners.
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Step 2
Throw away any infected products and take the bag outside in a sealed bag to the garbage as soon as you are finished.
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Step 3
Repackage all the remaining food in either sealable bags or cans. Use hot soapy water to wipe down any canisters that were on the shelves before.
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Step 4
Clean all the shelves and counters. Be sure to get in the cracks, corners, and underside of the shelves. Use hot soapy water, or add vinegar.
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Step 5
Use a bug spray or bomb specifically formulated to be used around food products. Or get a pesticide-free pheromone trap. You can also catch and kill moths by watching for them near kitchen lights at night.
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Step 6
You can make your own trap by mixing a 1 to 3 ratio of boric acid and cornmeal. Place the mixture in a shallow dish such as a jar lid.
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Step 7
Keep an eye on the remaining food products as you use them. The sealed foods may have had eggs you couldn’t see. If you see bugs in the foods, throw them away outside immediately.
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Step 8
Do not bring home new moths in the groceries. Watch for moths around packages in the store, bugs in bulk grains, and holes or webbing on boxes in the store.
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Step 9
To keep moths away, put a cotton ball covered in 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in the corners of the cabinets and a few bay leaves in containers of flour and grains. Store large quantity of grains that will not be used soon in the refrigerator.
Comments
skyedanzer said
on 7/10/2009 Very handy use of the oil. Plus it smells great!
gahazeleyes said
on 7/9/2009 Thanks for your article on getting rid of pantry moths and other pest.