However, despite how much trouble pantry moths can cause, it is possible to eliminate them – and even prevent their appearance. The more you know about these pests and understand them, the better you will be able to protect your home from them. Here is what experts say about pantry moths and their prevention.
Read more Mark Carney: Canada is ready for a fair trade agreement with the USA
Mariah Baggio-Deibler, an entomologist at PestMaster, also known as “Dr. Bugs,” states that these insects often attack both whole and processed grains and spoil food stored in kitchens and pantries, according to “Real Simple”.
These pests feed on various food products: grains, flour, dried fruits, seeds, whole grain flour cookies, nuts, milk powder, chocolate, candies, dried red peppers, birdseed, and pet food. So if you store at least one of these products in your pantry, there is a risk that these pests may infest it.
The simplest way to protect against pantry moths?
According to M. Baggio-Deibler, one of the main reasons pantry moths infest kitchens is improperly sealed packages. This can be anything: from a half-empty bag of chips to an almost finished box of pasta or a leftover cookie package. Since such packages are almost impossible to seal tightly, it is best to transfer food leftovers to an airtight container or put them in zip-lock bags.
Read more Banking cloud platform «Mambu» lays off 35 employees
Jerry Wang, owner of DIY Pest Warehouse, says that when storing food in the kitchen, it is ideal to use containers made of thick plastic or glass. “Often, product packages bought in stores are too thin, so pantry moths can easily chew through them,” he says. “Any container with walls thicker than 3 millimeters will prevent them from getting inside.”
What to do if pantry moths appear
Ideally, the appearance of pantry moths in the home should be prevented before they settle in. However, if you notice that they have already entered your home, don’t worry – there are several ways to eliminate them.
Read more Masiulis after the first „Žalgiris“ loss: „In the end, we lacked cool heads“
- Clean the shelves of food cabinets. Upon noticing pantry moths, it is necessary to remove everything from the cabinet and get rid of products that are expired or nearly expired. Before putting items back, be sure to wipe away crumbs and wash the shelves with an all-purpose cleaner. “Regularly clean the cabinet and make sure no organic food residues remain,” says M. Baggio-Deibler. “After using a vacuum cleaner, immediately dispose of its bag contents to avoid re-infestation.”
- Seal entry points. If you see one or two moths, it’s likely not a big problem, but if the issue persists, M. Baggio-Deibler advises putting screens on windows (especially if there are any in the kitchen) to prevent moths from entering from outside. “Also, seal cracks and gaps in food storage areas so moths have nowhere to hide,” she says.
- Freeze or discard infested products. If you suspect a product is infested, M. Baggio-Deibler recommends placing it in the freezer for at least a week or discarding it immediately to stop further spread. However, do not throw infested food into the kitchen trash bin – take it outside. By the way, it is often recommended to keep whole grain products and whole grain flour in the freezer for a few days. The same advice applies to cereals. “I store grains as I learned from passionate Germans who have consumed whole grains for centuries,” writes expert Maria Speck on her blog. She transfers grains into airtight glass jars and keeps them in a cool, dark place. She usually keeps frequently used grains on open kitchen shelves – this way she can immediately see what supplies she has. Whole grains stored this way remain suitable for consumption for several months or longer, although flour’s shelf life may be shorter, according to “Kitchn”.
- If you are worried about insects, know that the freezer is excellent for protection, but grains do not need to be kept in the freezer constantly. According to Ohio State University Extension, keeping grains in the freezer for four days is enough to kill all pest eggs. The same result can be achieved by heating grains in the microwave for five minutes.
- What else can you do when facing pests? Try using traps. J. Wang suggests using pheromone traps to catch these pests. This can help solve the problem easily and cheaply. “It is one of the most effective and least toxic (chemically) ways to eliminate the problem,” he says.
- Consider consulting professionals. Whether it’s pantry moths or other unwanted household guests – if you feel helpless and nothing helps, it’s best to contact specialists before the problem worsens or becomes uncontrollable. “Consider hiring a professional pest control service that will offer prevention and monitoring measures, including traps, to effectively track and manage pest spread,” advises M. Baggio-Deibler.
- Inspect food products. M. Baggio-Deibler recommends regularly checking food supplies and newly purchased products before placing them in the cabinet. “Pay attention to signs indicating the presence of pantry moths: larvae, webs (woven by caterpillars), and adult insects,” she says. It’s best to do this before buying and bringing food home. So spend a few extra minutes in the store carefully inspecting goods before putting them in your cart. This can help avoid more serious problems in the future.
