It’s always nice to open up your home to friends and family. But there’s a difference between guests you invite and guests who show up unannounced and bother your pantry – and we’re not talking about your kids or their friends! One guest you don’t want to show up in your home is the pantry moth.
We understand how frustrating it can be if you are dealing with a moth infestation in your pantry. At the first sign of pantry moths, you should take necessary steps to remove them from your home before the infestation has a chance to fully spread.
Follow these three steps to permanently rid your home of pantry moths and prevent them from recurring.
Step 1: Clean out the pantry
If you notice moths and worms among the foods in your pantry, it’s time to clear everything out of your room (consider this a great time to reorganize your pantry!). Even if you think only a particular shelf or cabinet is infected, it’s a good idea to remove all items completely so that they can be thoroughly inspected for spider webs and larvae sacs. Check bags and boxes for signs of moths, such as under jar lids.
Pantry moths often seek out baking essentials, grains, pasta, and other dry goods stored in the pantry. All items should be thoroughly inspected, regardless of whether they are the item they are attracted to or other items on the same shelf as the egg.
Anything with signs of worms or pantry moths should be thrown out (outside, not in the regular kitchen trash!).
Step 2: Vacuum the pantry
Now that you have cleared all items from your pantry, it’s time to clean it before storing food again. . Spend extra time examining nooks, crannies, and crevices where pantry moths may have laid eggs, such as baseboards, undersides of shelves, crown moldings, and cabinet hinges. Place the vacuum cleaner trash in a trash bag placed directly in the outdoor trash can.
After vacuuming, we recommend wiping down all pantry surfaces with an eco-friendly cleaning solution of white vinegar and warm water. This should be done on floors, countertops, shelves, and cabinets to ensure that all areas that may have been affected by moth larvae are thoroughly cleaned.
Step 3: Wait for pantry replenishment
Great for cleaning and wiping down the pantry. While you might rush to try and get your kitchen back to normal, we advise against doing so. You don’t want to risk infesting your entire pantry with pantry moths, so you’ll have to wait a few weeks before restocking your pantry.
Before putting food back into the pantry, you need to make sure the problem has been removed. If you accidentally miss an egg or larvae during cleaning, your pantry can quickly become infected again. Instead, use patience and wait for the space to replenish. If you notice any signs that moths in your pantry may still be present, repeat the above cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results.
After a few weeks, you can resume using your pantry. Examine the groceries and items you keep in your pantry to make sure you aren’t introducing pests from the outside world. .
FAQ
What Causes a Pantry Moth Infestation?
Even if your home is well equipped to rid your home of pantry moths, the simplest action is to prevent them from entering your home. Pantry moth infestations are common when brought home. If no eggs or worms are found when items are brought home, they will invade panties.
Do pantry moths go away on their own?
You may be hoping that if you just ignore the problem, it will go away. Pantry moths, however, will continue to lay eggs, spread throughout the house, and eat until the grains and other dry matter are removed.
How long does it take to get rid of pantry moths?
There is no set amount of time it takes to get rid of pantry moths. Ultimately it depends on how far the infection has spread. A few weeks is the shortest time you can wait to completely clean your pantry. However, if the infestation is large enough, it may take several months to be sure all larvae have been removed.
Do pantry moths bite?
Few things are more frustrating than having pests and insects invade your home. Pantry moths wreak havoc on pantry dry goods, but are not known to cause problems for individuals living in the home.
How do I kill pantry moths?
You may be wondering what kills pantry moths. The pantry should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and cleaning solution. Pantry moths are known not to like peppermint, so it’s a good idea to include peppermint in your cleaning solution. Place infected items in the freezer for 48 hours to kill the larvae and prevent them from spreading. You can also
Andrew Saladino
Andrew Saladino is the co-founder of Kitchen Cabinet Kings and has helped over 10,000 customers with their remodeling projects. He is a nationally recognized kitchen and bathroom expert from his NKBA, and his advice has appeared in major publications such as his Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, and Yahoo!. small business, etc.
