Do you have moths in your pantry that just won’t go away? Getting rid of them can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! In this blog post, we will walk you through some natural and effective methods for ridding your pantry of annoying moths.
How to get rid of moths in pantry naturally? To get rid of moths in pantry naturally you need to remove all food sources, vacuum the pantry and surrounding areas. Then you need to clean the pantry surfaces using water, vinegar, and some peppermint to ensure that the eggs and larvae are eliminated.
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You can also place cedar chips in the pantry to keep moths away or use diatomaceous earth to trap the adult moths. Finally, you can install pheromone traps to catch any remaining adults that may be flying around your pantry.
Here are the steps for getting rid of moths in pantry naturally:
- Remove all food sources from the pantry and store them in airtight containers. Make sure to discard any foods that have been contaminated by the moths.
- Vacuum the inside of your pantry, along with surrounding areas such as baseboards, corners and then dispose of the vacuum bag in an outside trash can.
- Clean the pantry surfaces with a mixture of water, white vinegar and peppermint oil. This will help to eliminate eggs and larvae that may have been left behind by adult moths.
- Place cedar chips or balls inside the pantry to keep the moths away. Cedar has a strong scent that moths dislike and will help to keep them away from your pantry.
- Use diatomaceous earth to trap adult moths flying around your pantry. This powder is made of fossilized algae and kills the adults upon contact, helping to get rid of them quickly and effectively.
- Avoid Sprays because they are pesticides and can be toxic.
- Get it time since it could take 6 months to completely get rid of all moths in the pantry. Finally, consider installing pheromone traps.
- Pheromone traps are sticky boards that attract and capture adult moths with a specifically formulated odor that mimics female moth pheromones.
How to Identify Pantry Moths
To identify pantry moths, you will see larvae in the food such as flour, cereal, pet food or other stored items like birdseed. The larvae can grow to be up to 2/3 inch long and have a distinctive yellowish-grey color. The adults are small, gray moths.
You may see cocoons in the pantry or kitchen cabinets. These look like small, furry looking balls. This is where the larvae will spin a cocoon and turn into an adult moth.
Also, you may see the actual pantry moths flying around. They are one half inch long and gray in color.
If you have identified moths in your pantry, it’s time to take immediate action! The best way to get rid of them is through natural methods as outlined above.
How to Prevent Future Infestation of Pantry Moths
To prevent future infestations of pantry moths you need to make sure all food is stored in airtight containers. This includes cereals, grains, flours, nuts and seeds.
Keep your pantry clean and vacuum regularly to ensure that eggs or larvae are not left behind. Also inspect the pantry for any signs of infestation such as cocoons or adult moths.
Keep your pantry organized so that you can quickly see when a problem with moths is starting.
Do not use plastic bags to store food, as these are easy for moths to get into.
Try not to overstock on grains, flours, and other food items as they can become infested with moths if stored too long.
Conclusion
Moths in your pantry can be a huge nuisance and require immediate attention. The best way to get rid of them is through natural methods such as removing food sources, vacuuming, cleaning the pantry surfaces, using cedar chips or diatomaceous earth, and setting up pheromone traps.
It may take some time before you see a significant decrease in the moth population, but with some patience and persistence you can finally get rid of them for good.
To prevent future infestations, always store food in airtight containers, keep your pantry clean and organized, avoid using plastic bags to store food and try not to overstock on grains or flours.
