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How to get rid of pantry moths

<p>If you see a small moth flying about near your pantry, or something wriggling on your flour, chances are you have a whole load of pantry moths living with you.</p> <p>This doesn’t mean that it’s because you keep your kitchen too messy. In fact, most pantry moths come into our homes from food that we buy at the supermarket.</p> <p>They tend to live in packets of flour, rice or cereal, and usually make their way in when the packs are not properly sealed.</p> <p>A pantry moth can live anywhere from 30 to 300 days, depending on the conditions. Lots of food and warm weather helps them to live longer. While the adult moths only live for one to two weeks, the female moth can lay 400 eggs in that short time so you may feel as though they never go away.</p> <p>So if you want to get rid of them for good, read on.</p> <p><strong>Step 1</strong></p> <p>First you need to identify the critters. You’ll either see a small moth about 2cm in size, or little white maggots wriggling in your packets. You might also seem some fine silky webs on the corners of your food packets.</p> <p><strong>Step 2</strong></p> <p>Remove everything from your pantry and check inside it. Bin anything that is suspect, especially dry foods and flours. Even if it looks OK the eggs may be hiding inside.</p> <p><strong>Step 3</strong></p> <p>Do a thorough cleaning of your pantry cupboard, cleaning all of the shelves. Use hot soapy water and antibacterial spray. Check in corners as this might be where small larvae are hiding in cocoons.</p> <p><strong>Step 4</strong></p> <p>Wash all of the containers that you use to hold dry goods. Use very hot water and dry well before refilling.</p> <p><strong>Step 5</strong></p> <p>You can buy traps from the supermarket that contain sticky pheromones to trap any further insects. This way you will see if you have been reinfested, and you can start the process again. Another tip to keep the bugs away is to tie up a bunch of fresh bay leaves in the pantry.</p> <p>Have you had an infestation at your house? Share your story and let us know how you got rid of them.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/can-your-house-be-too-clean/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Is it possible for your house to be too clean?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/the-simple-trick-to-organise-plastic-bags/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The simple trick to organise plastic bags</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/how-to-get-rid-of-slugs-in-the-garden/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to get rid of slugs in the garden</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Why has my home been overrun by pantry moths and how do I get rid of them? An expert explains

<p>Has your home recently been overrun by tiny grey moths, flapping erratically around your kitchen? Spotted some suspicious webs in a cereal box? You might be sharing your dried food with pantry moths (<em>Plodia interpunctella</em>).</p> <p>Although several species of moth can live and breed in our homes, the pantry moth (also known as the “Indian meal moth”) is one of the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pest-insects/stored-food-insects?page=0%2C1#:%7E:text=There%20are%20three%20major%20storage,warehouse%20moth%20(Ephestia%20cautella).&amp;text=The%20moth%20lays%20eggs%20on,takes%20one%20to%20three%20months." target="_blank">most common</a> unwanted moth-guests.</p> <p>Pantry moths are found on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/124184-Plodia-interpunctella" target="_blank">every continent</a> 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.</p> <p>So how did they get in your house – and what can you do to get rid of them?</p> <p><strong>‘Large amounts of silk webbing and faeces’</strong></p> <p>Like other moths, pantry moths have four distinct life stages: egg, caterpillar, pupae and adult.</p> <p>The first sign of a pantry moth infestation is often the sight of adult moths flying in an erratic, zig-zag path around our kitchens.</p> <p>Pantry moth adults have grey-coloured wings with bronze or tan <a rel="noopener" href="http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/pyra/interpunctella.html" target="_blank">bands near the wing tips</a>.</p> <p>Although they can be annoying, adult moths do not feed at all. The trouble arises when female moths lay their eggs in or around our food. The tiny eggs hatch into barely visible cream-coloured caterpillars small enough to crawl into poorly sealed food containers. There, they begin to feed.</p> <p>As they grow, caterpillars produce large amounts of silk webbing and faeces, both of which can contaminate food.</p> <p>Once a caterpillar reaches its full size, it leaves the food in search of a safe space to make a cocoon, usually a crack, container lid, crevice or corner. Sometimes they turn up in the hinges of a pantry door.</p> <p>A few weeks later, an adult moth emerges from the cocoon, ready to start the cycle again.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428972/original/file-20211028-27-12glaz1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428972/original/file-20211028-27-12glaz1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="A pile of almonds is seen with thin, silky webbing over it." /></a><em> <span class="caption">Have you found suspicious webbing on your dried foods?</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p><strong>How did pantry moths get in my house? And why are they more common lately?</strong></p> <p>Unfortunately, it’s likely you brought them home yourself. Although pantry moths can enter via doors and windows, most infestations probably start when we inadvertently bring home eggs and caterpillars in our dried foods.</p> <p>Kitchens full of unsealed containers and spilled food create an irresistible smorgasbord for female moths looking for the ideal place to lay eggs.</p> <p>Like many insects, pantry moths <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022474X99000399" target="_blank">develop more quickly</a> at warmer temperatures.</p> <p>At warmer temperatures, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-tropical-insect-science/article/abs/some-physical-and-biological-factors-affecting-oviposition-by-plodia-interpunctella-hubner-lepidoptera-phycitidae/788E52C0C484BFB79405594A85AF580B" target="_blank">females also lay more eggs</a> and caterpillars are more likely to survive to adulthood.</p> <p>But prolonged exposure to temperatures <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022474X97000568" target="_blank">above 40℃</a> are lethal to eggs and caterpillars.</p> <p>While pantry moths can be found at any time of the year, the warm temperatures of late spring and early summer are often perfect for supporting rapid population growth.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428981/original/file-20211028-19-1apbci4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428981/original/file-20211028-19-1apbci4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <em><span class="caption">Most infestations probably start when we inadvertently bring home eggs and caterpillars in our dried foods.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p><strong>How do I get rid of pantry moths?</strong></p> <p>First, eliminate their sources of food. Dry goods should be stored in sealed, airtight containers with tight-fitting lids.</p> <p>To prevent eggs and caterpillars from hitchhiking in on purchases, place dried foods in the freezer for three to four days; this should kill any eggs and caterpillars that may be present.</p> <p>If you already have an infestation, carefully inspect all potential food sources including spices, cereals, grains, dry pet foods, pasta, seeds, nuts, tea, dried flowers and dried fruit.</p> <p>Pantry moth caterpillars are hard to see; look for the silken webbing they produce, which can cause food grains to clump together. These webbed clumps are often more conspicuous than the caterpillars themselves.</p> <p>Infested foods should either be discarded or placed in the freezer for three to four days to kill eggs and caterpillars.</p> <p>Clean up and discard any spilled foods on shelves, under toasters or behind storage containers. Even small amounts of food can support thriving caterpillar populations.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428984/original/file-20211028-23-16tobqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428984/original/file-20211028-23-16tobqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="A man looks in his kitchen cupboards." /></a> <em><span class="caption">Moth cocoons can be removed from your kitchen cupboards by wiping with a damp cloth or with a vacuum cleaner.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>Caterpillars can travel considerable distances to find a safe place to make a cocoon, so make sure to check shelves, walls, crevices and ceilings. Moth cocoons can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth or with a vacuum cleaner.</p> <p>Cleaning and proper food storage are the best ways to end a pantry moth outbreak. Sticky pantry moth traps are commercially available and can be used to monitor and reduce the moth population.</p> <p>Pantry moth traps – triangular cardboard covered with a thick sticky glue – are baited with a chemical that mimics the smell of a female pantry moth.</p> <p>Males are attracted to the trap and become hopelessly stuck to the glue. Since sticky traps only target males, traps are unlikely to stop an outbreak on their own; always use them with proper food storage and careful cleaning.</p> <p>Insecticide sprays are unlikely to be effective as pantry moth caterpillars and eggs are protected within food containers. Pantry moths are also resistant to a range of insecticides, rendering them ineffective. Insecticides should never be applied on or near food.</p> <p><strong>What if I ate some pantry moth eggs or larvae?</strong></p> <p>While it can be disconcerting to find tiny caterpillars in the cereal you’ve been enjoying all week, accidentally eating pantry moth caterpillars is unlikely to cause any health problems.</p> <p>Given how common they are in stored food, you’ve probably already unknowingly consumed many moth eggs and larvae.</p> <p>Thank goodness caterpillars are generally an <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39480161" target="_blank">excellent source of</a> protein!<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170274/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tanya-latty-132">Tanya Latty</a>, Associate professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-has-my-home-been-overrun-by-pantry-moths-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-them-an-expert-explains-170274">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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How to get rid of (and prevent) moths

<p>If you’ve pulled out your favourite jumper or blanket from the wardrobe only to find moth holes, sadly there isn’t much that can be done. It’s best to focus on preventing moths (and their hungry larvae) in the first place so that you don’t have to deal with the frustration of their behaviour.</p> <p>While most of us assume that it’s the moths that are attacking our cashmere jumpers, it’s actually the moth larvae (the caterpillars) that are the hungry ones. The mother lays up to 1,000 eggs somewhere dark (your wardrobe), on natural fibres such as wool, cashmere, fur or silk (basically any fibre that contains keratin). From there the larvae feed on the materials and grow into moths, which will see you quickly moving into infestation territory.</p> <p>To avoid this, there are a few tips to keep your items safe and the moths at bay.</p> <p><strong>Only store clean items</strong></p> <p>Moths love sweat, perfume and food stains so it’s imperative that you don’t pack away your good quality items unless they’ve been properly cleaned first. If you’ve only worn a woollen item once and it doesn’t need dry cleaning yet, be sure to spot clean any marks and give it a good airing on the line before packing it away.</p> <p><strong>Use plastic tubs or bags</strong></p> <p>Moths can’t penetrate a plastic tub under your bed, or a vacuum packed bag on top of your wardrobe. The key again is to ensure that the items you are storing are scrupulously clean so that you can be sure that the moths are not already in there.</p> <p><strong>Make moth repellant</strong></p> <p>Whether it’s a natural repellant such as lavender oil diluted in a water spray bottle, or a simple packet of moth balls or a moth trap from the supermarket – it pays to prevent them if you can, especially if you are storing winter clothes away for a few months.</p> <p><strong>Keep your wardrobe and bedrooms tidy</strong></p> <p>Moths love the grime and dust that collects at the back of your wardrobe or under your bed, so try to give your room a spring clean if you feel you may be susceptible to moths. Clean skirting boards, behind the bedside table, lamp shades – everywhere that dust and dirt collects.</p> <p><strong>If they’ve already shown themselves</strong></p> <p>You will need to take everything out of the wardrobe or storage box, and give it a good solid clean with hot soapy water. Launder everything you can (or dry clean it) and ensure it is all bone dry before replacing. You can also try an insect control bomb from the supermarket, which will eliminate all pests from the area.</p> <p>Have you ever had a bad moth infestation? How did you get rid of it? We would love to hear from you in the comments.</p>

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