How to Get Rid of Moths in a Food Pantry

Moths fluttering around or in a pantry indicate possible infestation of foods. Pantry moths are especially attracted to grains, such as bags of cereal or flour. Even a small opening in a bag may be enough to allow adult moths to lay eggs in the food. These eggs will grow into larvae. Controlling the moths is a multistep process.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment or hand vacuum
• Sticky traps
• Lidded metal, ceramic or glass containers

Instructions

1. Remove all the items from your pantry and inspect each bag for small worms (moth larvae). Throw away heavily infested items in your outdoor trash bin.

2. Place open bags that don't appear to have larvae into your freezer. These bags may be infested with moth eggs, even if you don't see them yet, and freezing will kill them, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Keep the food frozen for four days.

3. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment or a hand vacuum to vacuum each shelf in the pantry.

4. Place sticky insect traps on a wall of the pantry to help catch adult moths still in the area.

5. Place the grains and other foods in bags that you had frozen in lidded containers. The lid should fit tightly so moths cannot enter.

Tips & Warnings

• Grains, spices, flour, sugar and any other food item that may attract insects should always be stored in lidded containers or, as the University of Illinois Extension also suggests, in the refrigerator.

• According to LivingWithBugs.com, dry pet food can also invite moths. Store pet food in airtight containers.

References

• Living With Bugs: Pantry Moths
• University of Illinois Extension: Getting Rid of Pantry Pests