To keep moths out of your pantry goods, it is best to use solid glass or plastic containers with sealable lids. Make sure that all of the lids have an airtight or rubber seal. This will prevent moths from being able to squeeze through. Plastic zipper bags can also be used for food storage.
Transfer grains: The best way to store things is in glass containers with lids (moths can get underneath loose-fitting plastic lids). But no need to spend a fortune on this process. I repurpose empty, glass peanut butter jars and canning jars to store stuff.
Even if you have stored your food in mason jars or kilner jars, it is worth checking in case they had been placed back in the pantry or cupboard with the lid not fully sealed and those nuisance cupboard moths got in. If this was the case you may leave a future source of potential meal moth infestation in place!
Pantry moth larvae can chew through plastic and Ziploc bags to access food.
Bay leaves are said to help repel pantry moths because their strong scent hides the smell of food. Try keeping an open bowl of fresh or dried bay leaves in your pantry and replace them when you can't smell them at all.
To keep moths out of your pantry goods, it is best to use solid glass or plastic containers with sealable lids. Make sure that all of the lids have an airtight or rubber seal. This will prevent moths from being able to squeeze through. Plastic zipper bags can also be used for food storage.
What smells do moths hate? Clothes Moths detest the scent of cedar. They also dislike rosemary, thyme, sage, mint, bergamot, and lavender. Rosemary, thyme, and peppermint oils can be great for keeping Pantry Moths away.
Plastic bins can be another great choice. They are even sturdier if you're worried about stacking boxes together. Choose bins that offer tight-sealing lids to ensure clothes moths and other pests won't be able to get at your clothing items.
Starving pantry moths can be difficult, as they can survive without food for several weeks.
✔ Open all paper and cardboard packages and inspect.
Insects can chew through plastic bags, even freezer weight ones. If you use bags, double bag. ✔ One method to kill larvae and adults is to put the food in the freezer for 3 or 4 days at 0°F.
Inspect your pantry and toss out any infested food. The National Pest Control Center advises that the items most at risk of infestation include cereal, grains, beans, nuts, flour, dried fruit, birdseed, animal food, spices, tea, chocolate, and candy.
Pantry moths are found on every continent except Antarctica. They feed on rice, grains, flour, pasta, cereals, dried fruits, spices, seeds, nuts and other dried food. Their fondness for dried foods makes them a major pest in food storage facilities.
Indian meal moths are also known for their ability to be found in even the tightest of sealed containers. While the adult Indian meal moths flying around your kitchen may be what first alert you to an infestation, it is actually the larvae that do most of the damage to stored food sources.
Press down on the lid when it's sealed. If the lid springs back up or you hear air escaping, your container isn't airtight. Submerge the sealed container in a sink full of water. If bubbles escape, air is getting in, which means it's not airtight.
Thoroughly vacuum every inch of the pantry (removing shelves if possible) before cleaning it using a 50-50 mix of vinegar and warm water along with some peppermint oil which is known to repel moths.
So, I am using these rather ingenious vacuum pack bags where you remove all the air, so even if the clothes you are storing have moth grubs in them, they wont be able to hatch as there is no oxygen for them to function. The unexpected side effect of using these bags is that they are fantastic space savers too.
Lavender — Lavender is a widely-loved moth repellent for good reason. Its floral scent is delightful to humans but repulsive to moths. Our 'Protect Me' Scent Bags can be placed in closets and drawers to protect your garments. Plus, they impart a lovely fragrance to all surrounding clothes.
Keep Moths Away With Natural Repellents
Moths have a strong sense of smell and avoid odors they dislike, such as lavender, peppermint, and cedar.
Life Cycle of the Pantry Moth
The life cycle may be completed in as little as 30 days or as long as 300 days, depending on food availability and temperature. The warmer the temperature, the faster the cycle completes. The average is 4-7 weeks.
Dryer sheets typically contain chemicals such as linalool, beta-citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to have some insect-repellent properties.
Remove all food items from your cupboards and drawers, and deep clean the shelves, walls, and crevices. Then, you can position Pantry Moth Traps to catch any adult male moths which will help break the breeding cycle and give you an indication of the size of your infestation.
Plastic storage boxes are the best storage containers to keep bugs out. They provide the best protection because pests won't be able to chew through or rip them open. Plus, they're easily stackable and much better at protecting your stored items from damage!
They're attracted by those items in your pantry such as - flours, Pasta, Cereals, Grains, Bread, Spices and other dried, processed snacks. They often come in through doors and windows or openings around vents or cables that enter the home.
Without a doubt, Cedar is the best natural moth repellent, followed by lavender. Just keep in mind, you have to first get rid of an infestation before you can prevent future moths. Otherwise, you'll just be hanging up Cedar and lavender sachets as decorations for the larvae to enjoy.
It's important to remember that these pantry pests can infest a wide variety of products such as rice, grains, legumes, flour, cereal, couscous, bread, candy, chocolates, cookies, crackers, chips, dried fruit, tea, coffee, coffee substitute, dried drink mix, powdered milk, spices, cake mix, pudding mix, dried sauce mix ...