How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths for Good
So what did you do this weekend? I had plans to go to Chicago, maybe see a movie. My husband and I had an amazing date night planned. But what did I do? I spent hours scrubbing down everything with diy cleaners and researching how to get rid of pantry moths.
I realized weeks ago they had moved in, but my strategy was to pretend they weren’t there.
I avoided putting any items on the bottom shelf where I first noticed them and hoped they’d go away. Well they didn’t. And like all procrastinators I paid my price. I was now seeing them flying around the house in search of new food sources.
What finally did it though was when I noticed my stash of very expensive, organic, non-gmo nuts and beans from Whole Foods had fallen prey to the buggers. Even… the chocolate covered almonds. Sigh.
Recognizing the Problem
You may see a few pantry moths, or a few dozen moths flying around your house. Females can lay 400 eggs which are deposited in food sources. These eggs are very tiny, 1 to 2 hundredths of an inch and are hard to see when they’ve been laid in grains like ground flour. They like grains, but I’ve also found them in nuts, beans and sugar.
Another sign that there is an infestation is the webbing the moths create. Once hatched these tiny caterpillars grow until they create cocoons and emerge as grey moths. The webbing may not be dispersed throughout the food. If the grains or food particles appear to be attached to the sides of the container by tiny hairlike strings, then they’ve been contaminated by pantry moth larvae.
Fruit flies and gnats can also be a huge kitchen nuisance. You can see how to get rid of them here.
What Causes Pantry Moths?
Warm temperatures draw bugs and rodents into food areas. Keep pantry items in a cool and dry place. Not only will they last longer, but they’ll be less susceptible to bugs. Heat speeds the life cycle of pantry moths. A faster cycle means more pantry moths and more damage. Once they’ve set up house, it can be hard to get rid of pantry moths.
Open or Poorly Sealed Containers
Pantry moths can fly into open cereal boxes, bags of flour and other containers even if they’re “closed.” A cereal box has seams for the moths to enter and larvae can eat through the plastic and paper covering the food. I had moth damage inside of anything that isn’t properly sealed in a thick glass or plastic container. Pantry moth eggs have even been found on the underside of peanut butter jar lids. I haven’t had that experience, but these critters are creative so I don’t doubt it!
How Pantry Moths Get into the House
Some grain based items being sold in stores, primarily organic ones, can contain pantry moth eggs or even larvae. When you purchase these products, it infects the entire pantry. I’ve had this happen once with a bag of rice, which is what started this recent infestation.
To check for this examine the bag for grains that stick to the side of the container or for tiny pin prick sized holes in the bag. When the larvae eat through the bag the holes look like pin holes. It’s rare, but still possible.
The best way to get rid of pantry moths
Clean EVERYTHING
And I mean everything. Anywhere food is stored wipe off each item, including canned goods. Eggs and cocoons are laid on rims and in cracks so disrupting all potential laying sites is vital.
Here’s a citrus splash all purpose cleaner I like to use that take mere minutes to make!
If you use shelf liners these need to be removed and washed in hot soapy vinegar water or thrown away. Clean all pantry shelves, walls and be sure to get into the corners. The room, floor, and ceiling corners also need cleaned because they can harbor eggs. Vacuum and use the hose to get in all the crevices. Dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the bin immediately.
Below is what I used to clean the shelves and food containers. Pantry moths don’t like certain scents (see below) so I used these to clean and repel them with. I immediately washed the rags I used to clean with in hot soapy water.
Bug off Cleaner
- 1/2 cup Vinegar
- 1/2 cup Water
- 15 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops Lavender essential oil
- 8 oz Spray Bottle
- Pour the vinegar and essential oils into the spray bottle.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with water. You may need slightly less than 1/2 cup.
- Shake vigorously before each use.
Throw it Away
Dispose of all affected food items. To be on the safe side dispose of all grains, dried fruits, nuts and sugar that have been stored in plastic bags or improperly sealed containers. Seal the trash bags and take them out immediately. Some recommend taking them directly to the landfill to prevent infestation in waste containers.
Freeze It
Items that are susceptible, but do not appear to have damage can be put in the freezer to kill any eggs and get rid of the pantry moths. Some feel this preventative measure is adequate, while others think the eggs are only dormant until placed back at room temperature.
Seal it up
Every food item in the pantry must be stored in a sealed container. There are lots of options, even stackable containers. Since larvae are so invasive screw-top lids may not be effective.
I purchased these sealed and stackable containers here. I had some extra mason jars on hand so I put those to good use as well.
A sealed glass jar like these from Anchor Hocking would work well too. They’re also stackable.
Have Some Tea
I like peppermint tea but pantry moths don’t. They also don’t like eucalyptus, lavender, wormwood, tansy or bay. Place peppermint tea bags in each back corner of shelves where food is stored to deter moths and mice. Sachets can be made using various repellent herbs and placed in the pantry.
Another option is to place a few drops of essential oil onto a cotton ball and place these in the pantry and in the corners of the room to get rid of pantry moths.
How to Prevent Pantry Moths
Even if you don’t have pantry moths (yet) it’s a good idea to check packages prior to purchasing and properly store foods. Placing herbs in the pantry is another good preventative measure. Don’t be like me and ignore the issue until you have to spend ALL day cleaning.
Sources:
Herbal Pest Control– Suite 101
Who Let the Bugs Out? – Purdue University
How to Get Rid of Moths– How to Get Rid of Things
Pantry Moths, Life Cycle and Control– Pantry Moth Trap
Indian Meal Moth– Pests and Diseases Image Library
Great post…thanks for all the detailed info.
That picture gives me the eeby-geebies… 🙁
The picture send shivers down my spine!
These are great preventative measures and everything that we keep is stored in airtight boxes.
i got them last summer. IT was traumatic ! and to rid of them is almost impossible. You cannot call an exterminator because the moths raccoon and the canon is resident to treatment.
I wold say prepare before you get them….a nightmare!
EDIT: CACCOON Not raccoon : )
You’re welcome 🙂 Hopefully if you follow the prevention measures you won’t ever have to deal with an eeby geeby situation!
I got a severe infestation in my kitchen! All foods n spices had to go…and I’m still cleaning and killing them. Pest control won’t help…say I have t do the work: clean scrub n keep cleaning til every egg is found. And the eggs are so small and you can barely see them. This is so traumatic! Like a pestilence.
I learned a lpt from this blog article and hope it works.
I know, it’s such a pain! I’ve found that as long as I keep up with organizing and storing everything properly though, there aren’t any more issues!
Very nice article! Thanks for posting it. 🙂
I feel like I’m” experienced” with these little moths after a severe infestation for two summers in a row. We leave our home for 6 weeks during the summer and vacation in the mountains of the SW. When we would return the moths would be flying all over the house! EEEWWW!! They love a closed up warm house with grains to get into.
I found cedarwood essential oil (I buy the 4 or 8oz bottle from mountain rose herbs) and saturate the cotton makeup sponges and place in all my cupboards. They also love to hide in any crevice like spaces between your cabinets. I stuff these areas with the cedarwood cotton and also spray into the areas. Not only a deterrent it also is insecticidal. I also use an essential oil plug in diffuser that makes the whole house smell wonderful but also keeps bugs out. Since I have done this I do not have a problem. I also vacuum pack any packages like flours, sugars, rice. Just about everything is vacuum packed and some items are put in the big glass jars that has a rubber seal and closes with an airtight clamp. My favorites are the Italian Bormioli jars. They are thick, sturdy, and have excellent seals. They are rather spendy but in the long run well worth it. They are also so pretty. I get them on Amazon.
Uggh, that sounds like a pain, but I’m glad you’ve found a solution to the pesky moths!
There’s so many comments about what jars or containers are moth proof. Some people say Tupperware others say the worms crawl right into the Tupperware other say mason jars don’t work it goes on and on I’ve been using essential oils have not put food in my pantry for three years. They’re outside on the walls they make webs on the car. It’s always do this do that but nothing ever gets rid of them. I’ve spent so much money on essential oils in the waspsThat are supposed to lay their eggs in the moth eggs. Thousands I’ve let loose in my apartment and yet they still continue on. I don’t believe you can ever get rid of them unless you set fire to the place and walk away. I appreciate your efforts but too much money for little tiny jars of essential oil that never keep them away. Thank you for your effort.
That must be frustrating! I’ve found that the best types of jars are the ones with the sealed lids. Mason jars and Tupperware are convenient, but I have still found that they can get in those. We haven’t had pantry moths in 3 years since following this method, so it’s worked very well for us. It sounds like something around your house is attracting them. Have you tried putting the moth traps outside your house? If it’s that serious and nothing else is working, you may want to hire a pest control specialist, then detox your home once they’re done. Good luck and thanks for your comment!
I was wondering if peppermint kept them away. I noticed when I accidentally left open the box of peppermint tea, the moths stayed away from that area. Thank you for this article!
I recently discovered these little things even exist! These little things that easily turned into a BIG BIG BIIG problem! Super traumatized!
I went around the whole house cleaning and spraying paperment oil, rosemary oil and theatre oil mixed with water in a spray bottle.
Please tell me my fridge is safe?
My skin is crawling!
Ahh, I know how you feel! Unless they somehow got in your fridge though (which shouldn’t be likely), then you should be fine. Prevention is really key here to keep them from coming back though.
Thank God I found this site, We got pantry moths 2 years ago, We cleaned every inch of the pantry and discarded all infected stuff. and put stuff in containers but they came back. Now I just feel “dirty” but I know we are just like all other folks. I have new stuff to try after cleaning #3!! Thanks for giving me hope
It really is a pain isn’t it?? So far they’ve stayed away since this incident, so the method has really worked well for us.
yes it sure is a mess I don’t like cleaning just went through it
I first noticed the moths two year’s ago. I thought they were coming in thru the screen-patio door. I caught them with my portable vacuum. After a few days I realized they were coming from the kitchen. I examined one and did some research! Pantry Moths! I bought the sticky traps and generally caught 1 or 2,a day and an occasional flyer. So I through out all cereals, spices, nuts ets; scrubbed canned goods and shelves cupboards backsplash with undiluted bleach, ran all dishes pots and pans thru the dishwasher on hottest temp and bought continued with the traps. The traps continued at 1 or 2 a day. So I called an exterminator. 3 sessions. The traps continued to collect a few each day and then the count increased to 4 or five a day. I realized they were coming from behind the microwave… which had an exhaust fan and was above the oven. I tore out the microwave and disposed of it… pulled out the stove and scrubbed everywhere with undiluted bleach. No more pantry moths for more than 6 months. So I went ahead and had my kitchen gutted. Sprayed the walls with pantry moth pesticide I bought online. Spent 50 thousand dollars on a new kitchen, all new appliances. Three nights ago I saw a panty moth in my sink. Last night ; one in a trap. Tonight a flyer. Does anyone have any advice for me? Don’t give me the peppermint/lavender BS. That does not work either… I tried that first actually.
It sounds like they’re still finding a food source in your kitchen. Do you have everything in sealed containers?
POWERFUL PANTRY MOTH TRAPS ——These strips work to catch the males.
Then I read to take a glass jar add a few drops of dish detergent add water to make foamy head (like when you pour a glass of beer). The female laid her eggs on top of the foam, it actually worked.
All cabinets cleaned and vacumned. I am going to use the peppermint oil balls to try and keep them out.
I also made traps with Borax & cornmeal, caught some this way also.
I put a bay leaf in every grain, bean, cornmeal, and flour container to keep bugs away. It works great for me!
Awesome! I used to clean houses and I’d always find old dusty bay leaves in older people’s homes. They probably work better when they’re not 30 years old lol