Pantry Moth Traps Uk? The 7 Latest Answer

You’ll open a bag of whole wheat flour, a packet of cereal, or a bag of dog food only to find tiny worms, moths, or even a few webs. Egg! Here’s how to get rid of these storage bugs.

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What are food moths?

You’ve just come across the Indian flour moth, perhaps the most common of the “pantry pests.” These moths can infest bags or boxes of flour, grains, dried beans, seeds, nuts, cereals, baking chocolate, cake mixes, rice, nuts, dried fruit, dog food, birdseed, teas, herbs, spices, potpourri mixes and even decorative wreaths containing nuts , fruits and/or seed heads.

The University of Florida Cooperative Extension describes what you just saw as follows: “The greatest ‘damage’ to stored produce occurs when the larvae spin copious amounts of silk, which accumulates fecal pellets, shed skins and eggshells in food products. ”

Not a very appetizing picture.

Where do food moths come from?

While you may need to do a thorough closet cleaning, don’t blame your poor housekeeping for the infestation. Flour moths likely laid these eggs at a food-packaging facility or in the bulk bins at the health food store.

After mating, the 1.2 cm long grey-brown meal moth female finds a suitable environment to lay her eggs – up to 400 at a time. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed and grow for several weeks before spinning a cocoon (pupa) that gives rise to an adult moth. Depending on temperature, food source, and other factors, the flour moth’s life cycle ranges from a month to 10 months or more.

Are food moths harmful?

The good news: this pest doesn’t cause disease even if you accidentally cook and eat a few larvae (roughly) and it doesn’t escape your food to munch through your fabrics or furniture. It likes the same foods that you and your pets like.

The bad news: Indian flour moths can be difficult to eradicate, especially once they’ve completed their life cycle and spread throughout your pantry.

Photos: Indian meal larva and adult moth. Photo credit: John Lyle, University of Florida.

How to fight food moths

First, get the infested flour and any other infested produce you may find out of your home. Don’t just throw them in the trash unless you plan to take the trash out right away. You can also dig a hole outside the house and bury the infested produce in the ground.

Don’t keep that junk in the garage or basement while you wait for garbage collection or your next trip to the dump.

Then remove everything from your cabinets and food storage areas, including cans and jars. Vacuum and scrub all surfaces. Remove and replace torn or peeling shelf liners. Use a flashlight to pay particular attention to corners and undersides of shelves, as well as any cracks or holes in shelves.

Meal moth larvae have legs and often stray quite far from their original home. You can find larvae and pupae hidden in door hinges, backs of doorknobs and corners of wire baskets; under shelves and around the edges of jar lids, cans and non-food items that are also stored in your pantry or cupboard.

The larvae can chew through paper and plastic. If you (like me) tend to store an assortment of nuts, fruits, and grains that you’ve bought in large storage containers and kept in plastic or paper bags, check each bag for openings that flour moth larvae could get in through or for holes The larvae may have chewed themselves.

If you are concerned, place any item that appears intact and shows no signs of damage to the food inside in the freezer at 0° or below for four days. This will kill any eggs that may be present.

Now make a decision to keep all pantry edibles in sealed glass or metal containers once you bring the grocery products into your home. When a product is infested, the larvae cannot escape the container to contaminate other products.

Store small bags of spices in the fridge or freezer.

Keep pet food and bird seed away from the pantry in covered metal containers in a laundry room, garage, or outdoor shed.

Hang seed and fruit wreaths outside. Better yet, buy or make wreaths out of twigs or evergreens that don’t contain edibles.

Consider setting up some flour moth pheromone traps (widely available online and at hardware, garden and home supply stores). These traps monitor the presence of flour moths and may prevent future infestations. The traps work by attracting the male moths, which then stick to sticky boards and die, unable to fertilize female moths. (Caution: some people find the sticky traps too cruel as the moths caught are not killed quickly, but instead flop around for some time before dying.)

Note: Don’t be put off by negative comments from others claiming the traps didn’t work and now moths are flying through their homes. These people are not likely to see flour moths, but rather one or more of the many other butterflies (butterflies and moths) that frequently visit home interiors.

Finally, please do not use insecticides to kill flour moths. Not only are they unlikely to be effective, many are also unsafe for use around food.

Learn more about storage pests – mice!

Do you have or have you had food moths? What did you do to get rid of them?

Addendum: 09/19/2020

Wow! So many good suggestions from readers. Thank you all!

Last updated: 19.10.2021 Home & Garden Indian Meal Moth – 4 Effective Methods to Get Rid of Food Moths Are you about to bake a cake or cook rice for dinner and noticed little larvae in the food containers? Or maybe tiny insects flew out of them? It only means one thing – you are dealing with a food moth infestation. If so, time is of the essence. Don’t wait and act now. Are you wondering how to get rid of food moths effectively? Try it and choose your best remedy.

What exactly are food moths?

Pantry moths are nothing more than house insects that feed on pantry produce. You typically find them in flour, sugar, and grains. The most prominent representatives of this group are the Mediterranean mill moth and the Indian flour moth. Both of these insects can make your food so good it goes straight to the trash. Getting rid of them is not as easy as it seems.

Storage moths do not pose a threat to human health. Even unnoticed eaten larvae do not harm your organism and you will not suffer any consequences. But the presence of such pests in food isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world and might just disgust you.

What do food moths look like?

Pantry moths are tiny gray and brown moths. Although they can be mistaken for clothes moths, where they were found should give you a clue. Storage moths are always present in the kitchen or pantry and this is the main aspect that will help you identify them.

Source: porady.interia.pl/sprzatanie/news-5-domowych-sposobow-na-mole-spozywcze,nId,4911059

Where do food moths come from?

The Indian flour moth is usually brought home with food. If you noticed the insects and just bought a powdered food product, chances are you brought larvae inside, and the rest, of course, went on.

Flour, rice, grits, and breadcrumbs aren’t the only products where food moths can lurk. They often lay their eggs in grains and nuts – regardless of the variety.

Wondering if you can protect yourself from a food moth infestation? Of course! The basic act in this case is the careful examination of each food item purchased. It’s also good practice to place all dry produce in transparent, airtight containers. Even if a product contains food moths, they will not spread further – which plays a major role in daily prevention.

Pantry moths – are they different from clothes moths?

Although storage moths and clothes moths look almost identical, there are significant differences between them. Most importantly, they feed in different places and eat completely different products. Pantry moths are not a threat to your clothes as they do not perceive them as an attractive food source.

Also, controlling storage moths is very different than controlling clothes moths. Therefore, be sure to choose the right methods that are appropriate for each case.

Source: whatsup-gniezno.pl/2021/09/07/sposob-mole-spozywcze-10-sposobow-sie-pozbyc

How to get rid of food moths quickly and effectively?

The best moment to get rid of food moths is when they are still in the larval stage. This way, the risk of spreading throughout the kitchen or pantry is much lower. That doesn’t mean you can’t get rid of adult moths – but it’s a little harder.

Many people who happen to have experience in moth control find that any preventive measures are a very good idea. You can use simple methods to deter the insects and prevent them from invading your home.

Vinegar – an effective repellent against food moths

Pantry moths don’t like vinegar – whether it’s wine or apple cider vinegar. The smell of this liquid effectively deters the insects. For this reason, it is advisable to add a few drops of vinegar to the water when cleaning cupboards and shelves.

You can also use vinegar to make a homemade food moth trap. While it is very unlikely that the pests will get caught in it, it will surely repel them.

Pour some vinegar into a small container and put it in the cabinet where you store powdered foods. You can use this deterrent in the kitchen and pantry.

If you don’t want the vinegar trap to smell sour, you can add a few drops of essential oil. Lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon are good choices.

Source: porady.interia.pl/sprzatanie/news-5-domowych-sposobow-na-mole-spozywcze,nId,4911059

Clove or lemon oil – storage moths don’t stand a chance

If you don’t like the vinegar mentioned, you can save essential oils from food moths. These products effectively eliminate the pests by stopping them from entering kitchen cabinets.

All you need is a special liquid to spray the insides of kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves. Clove and lemon oil are the best products for this purpose. If you don’t like such scents, you can choose a lavender or eucalyptus oil instead.

Pour some water into an ordinary spray bottle that you usually use for plants and fill it halfway.

Add an essential oil of your choice – just 7-8 drops are enough for a strong fragrance.

Shake the bottle vigorously and use the spray in the cupboards.

Source: drogeria-ekologiczna.pl/179_naturalne-patenty-na-mole-spozywcze.html

Tobacco smell – a powerful repellent against food moths

Tobacco is another useful way to get rid of food moths. Does that mean you have to start smoking cigarettes? Not at all – we do not recommend any harmful practices. Are you wondering how you can use tobacco in this method? Just put it in small bags and throw them in the closets. The results will be very good.

Source: porady.interia.pl/sprzatanie/news-5-domowych-sposobow-na-mole-spozywcze,nId,4911059

Bay leaves – a homemade food moth trap

Are the scented remedies out of the question because you are sensitive to smells? Are you afraid that there is no help for you and the pantry moths will stay with you forever? Don’t despair! Bay leaves are a perfect way to get rid of food moths – and their smell won’t bother you.

You can find the dried leaves in the spice section of any grocery store. Scatter them around the kitchen cabinets or pantry shelves. If you want to be absolutely sure that you are effectively repelling the flour moth, add some leaves to the containers with powdered products.

For you, this method is basically unobtrusive, but for pantry moths, it’s a clear sign that they won’t find anything good in your kitchen.

Source: modnieizdrowo.pl/uciazliwe-mole-kuchni-sie-pozbyc-zawsze

📍 Where do storage moths lay eggs? Pantry moths lay eggs mostly in powdered products that they can find in your kitchen or pantry. It can be flour, rice or groats. Containers of grains and nuts are also common places where they lay their eggs.

📍 Pantry moths – how to get rid of them? Dealing with a food moth infestation can be difficult, but it is not impossible. To get rid of them completely, you can use home remedies (vinegar traps, essential oils) or store-bought products.

📍 How to repel food moths? Surprisingly, many scents repel food moths. Vinegar and tobacco are the best products for this purpose. You can also use popular essential oils – lavender, clove and lemon. The smell of bay leaves is also unattractive to the Indian flour moth.

When moths are flying around your home, there are two broad categories that they might fall into; storage moths and clothes moths.

Among the food moths, the Indian flour moth, Plodia interpunctella, is the most common. They attack grain products, flour, rice, cornmeal, nuts, candy and other dry goods.

The most common clothes moth is the brown house moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella. They attack cashmere, cotton and woolen clothing of all kinds.

In this pest strategies report, we’ll show you how to eradicate both types of moths, which traps are the best, and which are the easiest to use. We also explain how to use the traps effectively to catch both types of moths.

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The pheromone attractant is already mixed with the glue, so all you have to do is open the foil, peel off the foil, fold the trap into a triangle and place it where needed.

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Tired of finding food moths? Here’s how they get into your home, the tricky places they hide out, and natural ways to get rid of them for good.

What are food moths?

Also known as “Indian flour moths,” these small gray, tan, or brown flying pests are one of the most common household pests in the United States. You may have seen moths flying around your kitchen or found them in your food, or maybe even your bedroom. One of the most telltale signs of a food moth infestation is the silky webs they leave on and around food packaging.

signs of infestation

Most people don’t know that food moth larvae can chew through food wrappers. They can penetrate plastic packaging and paper boxes and weave webs into your food. You may find clumped pieces of grain or flour. Their eggs sometimes leave a strange smell. They may notice an odd odor in foods that have infested them, but not necessarily. The larvae may or may not still be present.

Their larvae also crawl into cracks and holes. You may discover dusty-looking webs in cracks around your closets, behind light or electrical panels, even in the gaps between your closet and the wall. Then you will find small brown moths flying around your house. Despite their name, food moths do not always stay in the kitchen. They breed wherever they find shelter.

Where are you from?

While you may have to clean out your pantry to get rid of them, your housekeeping is not to blame for food moths. Most often they get into your house because they are already in the packaging of dry food or have built a cocoon on cans or jars. Sometimes they fly into your home through gaps in window bars or open doors and then stay because they have found food.

Are they harmful?

The good news is that table moths or Indian flour moths are not harmful at any stage of their life cycle. They don’t bite people and don’t transmit diseases. Eating food infested with these moths or their eggs and larvae will not transmit any disease, but if you’re squeamish it may make your stomach turn when you know you have it.

The real reason to kill food moths and keep them out of your home is that they are unsightly and some foods can smell “rotten”. So if you’re tired of seeing moths flying around your kitchen and cupboards, or finding signs of moths in your food, it’s time to get serious about getting rid of them.

Steps to get rid of food moths naturally

For mild infestations, a thorough cleaning of the pantry and transfer of food to new containers may be sufficient. If you’ve seen dozens of food moths or found signs of them elsewhere in your home, the process will require more effort.

Step 1. Freeze dried goods

Dry goods are foods that are not available in cans or jars. This includes food sold in plastic packaging or boxes with or without a plastic inner liner. Because food moth larvae can feed through paper or plastic, any food that isn’t in a can or jar is a potential food source and breeding ground for them. This includes unopened dry goods. Dry goods that provide a food source and breeding ground for food moths include:

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Flours and flour cereals of all kinds

dried fruit

bulk grains

nuts, seeds, cereals

Crackers, chips, bread

sugar, baking powder or baking soda

coffee or tea

pet food, including birdseed

Other groceries in boxes or bags

You can freeze opened dry goods for 2-3 days to kill food moth larvae or eggs. Freezing doesn’t remove these pests, however, so you’ll have to decide whether or not you’re OK with eating dead ones. Therefore, if you’re squeamish, skip freezing and throw out opened items instead.

Step 2. Thoroughly clean the pantry

Cleaning to get rid of a food moth infestation involves a lot more than just wiping down shelves. Remember that larvae will seek out even the tiniest crevices to make their cocoons. Skipping steps won’t eliminate them all, and you’ll end up having to do it over and over again.

• Take everything out of your pantry. Remove the shelves from the supports, including the pins that hold the shelves in place. Larvae love to breed in these holes. If your pantry has drawers, pull them out all the way and set them aside. Pull up shelf liners or contact paper that you placed on the shelves. Gaps between shelves and liners are a favorite spot for food moth cocoons.

• Vacuum everything, including the doors and walls of your closets. Once you’ve removed drawers, vacuum the space they’re in along with the slides they’re resting on. Also clean the inside and outside of the drawers and their underside.

• Wash all surfaces. Use hot, soapy water, then wipe down with a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and warm water to kill any remaining eggs. (Don’t use a stronger solution or you could damage your cabinets.) Use a cotton swab or toothbrush to clean crevices and gaps, including the holes where the pins for the shelf supports go. Many readers have reported persistent problems with food moths despite cleaning until they discovered cocoons in these holes. Don’t skip them.

• Empty and clean your vacuum cleaner thoroughly. After throwing away the infested food and emptying your vacuum, seal the garbage bag tightly and place it in a second garbage bag. Knot this and take the whole thing outside, then wash your kitchen bin. Then clean your vacuum cleaner thoroughly so they don’t multiply in it too.

Step 3. Seal or caulk gaps

If storage moth problems are severe—or if cleaning alone hasn’t put an end to the problem—you’ll need to look for other gaps and crevices for them to hide in. Use the crevice tool on your vacuum to clean these areas. Seal gaps or cracks with caulk. Readers have reported finding cocoons and moths in the space between cabinets and walls, and joiner’s gaps in the cabinets. Other spots to check are behind your appliances and behind outlet covers and light switch panels.

Step 4. Change your food storage

Remember that anything that isn’t in a bottle or can is a potential food source and breeding ground for food moths, now or in the future. So transfer all your dried goods to airtight containers to keep pests out. Good options include Tupperware and some Rubbermaid products. (I use several types of jars, including these from Oxo.) If you prefer glass jars, look for jars with airtight hermetic seals. Avoid screw caps as even food moth cocoons have been found in the narrow space between the jar and the lid.

Step 5. Inspect adjacent rooms

If your food moth infestation has been going on for a while, the problem has probably spread. Readers have reported finding them in nearby closets and adjoining rooms. Sometimes you can even find food moths in bedrooms and bedroom closets. Pay special attention to where ceilings and walls meet at right angles, as well as around door frames and window trim, all of which provide a convenient place for dolls to build cocoons. A powerful flashlight can help you spot them in darker areas.

If you find them elsewhere in your home, use your vacuum to remove them and then spray the area and immediately wipe with a 50-50 vinegar and water mixture to get rid of any eggs remove. (Do not use vinegar on natural stone surfaces.) Empty and clean your vacuum immediately afterwards.

Step 6. Pantry Moth Traps and Solutions

Cleaning your pantry and food packaging will remove food moth larvae and eggs. You must combine this with killing adult moths before they have a chance to lay eggs, which will start the 30-300 day life cycle again. Try using moth traps with pheromones, which combine attractants with a sticky surface to attract food moths and keep them from flying out. Old-fashioned fly strips and bug killers can also work, but since they don’t contain attractants, they take longer.

How to prevent food moths

Pantry moths don’t just appear out of nowhere. Most of the time we bring them into the house with our groceries. If you take the time to complete the following tasks, you can prevent food moths from entering your home.

• Lift food out of packaging. When you get home from shopping, put packaged dry goods in airtight containers and freeze them for three days before putting them on your shelves.

• Wipe down canned goods and bottles. Use a damp, soapy cloth and examine lids for signs of food moth cocoons before placing produce on your pantry shelves.

• Do not use self-adhesive shelf wrap or contact paper. Pantry moths and other household pests often cocoon or lay eggs where the rough edges will stand out over time.

• Use scents that food moths don’t like. Sprinkle fresh or dry bay leaves on your shelves as a deterrent. Pantry moths and some other household pests don’t like the scent of bay leaves, so stay away. You can also add a few drops of Laurel (Laurel Nobilis) essential oil to this homemade all-purpose spray recipe and use it to cleanse.

Above all, you need to be vigilant and deal with storage moths before they get the upper hand. Clean out your pantry weekly and inspect your shelves frequently. Recognizing the early signs of a moth infestation gives you a chance to deal with it before it gets out of hand.

pantry moths

Pantry moths lay their eggs on stored foods and grains. Finding an adult moth can be a sign that there are infested items somewhere in the house. Adult females can lay hundreds of eggs directly on or near potential food sources, and the damage is done by the larvae (tiny caterpillars). Larvae can eat through plastic bags and flimsy cardboard, so unopened packaging can also be infested.

They attack a wide range of products including grains, grains, beans, nuts, flour, dried fruit, birdseed, dried animal feed, spices, chocolate and candy. The Indian flour moth is the most common food moth, but properly identifying your pest will help you better target your efforts. Consider contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service for help identifying a pest.

Mothballs should not be used near food or food preparation areas. Mothballs should only be used in airtight containers. Gases build up to kill insects that feed on natural fibers. These gases can pose a risk to humans or pets if used improperly.

Prevention tips:

Use older foods first and store all foods in thick-walled glass or plastic containers.

Clean up all spills, including flour and sugar. Larvae can survive under cupboards and in corners with small amounts of food.

Fill bulk materials from plastic bags into sturdy glass or plastic containers. Edible moth larvae can chew through plastic and Ziploc bags to access food.

Control Tips:

Identify, remove and discard any infested food. Larvae spin a web as they move, leaving silky threads; Signs of webs or clumped grains or flour can be a sign that insects are present.

Take the inner bags out of the boxes, roll them around and look for any lumps or webbing. Check the corners of boxes and creases of bags.

Remember to inspect all cereals, grains, beans, nuts, flour, dried fruit, birdseed, dried pet food, spices, tea, chocolate and candy.

After removing any infested items, you should store the remaining items in a large plastic bag to check for any eggs or larvae that you may have missed.

Use a vacuum with a crevice attachment to clean all corners of the pantry. Wash surfaces with warm water and soap to remove spilled food, eggs, or cocoons.

Food can be placed in a freezer for a week to kill any eggs or larvae that may be present.

Larvae can travel far from food sources to pupate, which could create a potential for reinfestation if food is still accessible.

Pheromone traps or simple yellow sticky traps can be useful for monitoring the population and identifying problem areas in the home.

If you have questions on this or any other pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST) or email us at npic@ace. orst.edu.

Has your home recently been overrun by tiny gray moths that flutter about your kitchen erratically? Spotted suspicious webs in a cereal box? You may be sharing your kibble with food moths (Plodia interpunctella).

Although several species of moths can live and breed in our homes, one of the most common unwanted moth guests is the food moth (also known as the “Indian flour moth”).

Food moths are found on every continent except Antarctica. They feed on rice, grains, flour, noodles, grains, dried fruits, spices, seeds, nuts and other dried foods. Their fondness for dried foods makes them a major pest in grocery stores.

So how did they get into your home — and what can you do to get rid of them?

Read more: Why Tiny Ants Have Invaded Your Home and What You Can Do About It

“Large quantities of silk fabric and faeces”

Like other moths, pantry moths have four distinct life stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult.

The first sign of a food moth infestation is often the sight of adult moths flying around our kitchens in an erratic zigzag path.

Adult food moths have grey-colored wings with bronze or brown bands near the wingtips.

Although they can be a nuisance, adult moths do not feed at all. The problem arises when female moths lay their eggs in or around our food. The tiny eggs hatch into barely visible cream-colored caterpillars that are small enough to crawl into poorly sealed food containers. There they start to eat.

During their growth, caterpillars produce large amounts of silky tissue and feces, both of which can contaminate food.

Once a caterpillar has reached full size, it will leave the forage in search of a safe place to form a cocoon, usually a crevice, container lid, crevice, or corner. Sometimes they show up in the hinges of a pantry door.

A few weeks later, an adult moth will emerge from the cocoon, ready to begin the cycle again.

Shutterstock

How did food moths get into my house? And why are they more common lately?

Unfortunately, you probably brought them home yourself. Although food moths can enter through doors and windows, most cases likely start with us accidentally bringing eggs and caterpillars home in our dried groceries.

Kitchens full of unsealed containers and spilled food make an irresistible hodgepodge for female moths looking for the ideal spot to lay eggs.

Like many insects, food moths develop faster in warmer temperatures.

In warmer temperatures, females also lay more eggs and caterpillars are more likely to survive into adulthood.

But prolonged exposure to temperatures above 40℃ are deadly for eggs and caterpillars.

While storage moths can be found at any time of the year, the warm temperatures of late spring and early summer are often perfect to support rapid population growth.

Shutterstock

How do I get rid of food moths?

Eliminate their food sources first. Dry goods should be stored in sealed, airtight containers with tight fitting lids.

To prevent eggs and caterpillars from hitchhiking while shopping, place dried foods in the freezer for three to four days. this should kill any eggs and caterpillars that may be present.

If you already have an infestation, carefully investigate all potential food sources, including spices, grains, grains, dry pet food, pasta, seeds, nuts, tea, dried flowers, and dried fruits.

Pantry moth caterpillars are difficult to see; Look for the silky web they produce, which can cause food grains to clump together. These webbed clumps are often more conspicuous than the caterpillars themselves.

Infested food should either be thrown away or placed in the freezer for three to four days to kill eggs and caterpillars.

Clean up and dispose of spilled food on shelves, under toaster ovens, or behind storage bins. Even small amounts of food can support thriving caterpillar populations.

Shutterstock

Caterpillars can travel considerable distances to find a safe spot for a cocoon, so check shelves, walls, cracks, and ceilings. Moth cocoons can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth or using a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning and storing food properly are the best means of ending a storage moth outbreak. Sticky moth traps are commercially available and can be used to monitor and reduce moth populations.

Food moth traps — triangular cardboard covered in a thick sticky adhesive — are baited with a chemical that mimics the smell of a female food moth.

Males are attracted to the trap and hopelessly stick 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.

Insecticide sprays are unlikely to be effective because the food moth caterpillars and eggs are protected in food containers. Pantry moths are also resistant to a number of insecticides, making them ineffective. Insecticides should never be used on or near food.

What if I ate food moth eggs or larvae?

While it can be unsettling to find tiny caterpillars in the cereal you’ve been enjoying all week, accidentally eating food moth caterpillars is unlikely to cause any health problems.

Given how common they are in stored foods, chances are you’ve unknowingly consumed many moth eggs and larvae.

Thank goodness caterpillars are generally an excellent source of protein!

Read more: Curious Children: Do Butterflies Remember They Were Caterpillars?

cedar

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Cedar wood has long been recognized as a moth repellent. If you’re lucky enough to have a cedar-lined cabinet or chest, make use of it. Otherwise, grab some cedar shavings or blocks from the store and place them where needed. You can even buy cedar drawer liners or cedar rings that fit over hangers.

Note: Cedar wood loses its fragrance (the repellent aspect) over time. To bring back the scent, lightly sand the cedar or purchase a bottle of cedar oil and apply to the wood.

Pantry moths may look small, but they can cause a lot of trouble in your kitchen. (Unterwelt111/Getty Images)

My pantry has been invaded by small worms and moths that appear to have come from a bag of bird seed. What are they and what should I do?

It sounds like your pantry is infested with Indian flour moths, also known as food moths. The tiny, almost invisible eggs come into your home in food packages and can hatch into larvae, which later turn into moths that will ravage your food. Indian flour moth eggs are commonly present in:

birdseed

cereals and grains

flour and food

dried fruit

pasta

candy

animal feed

Dried herbs

nuts

milk powder

Edible moth larvae infest food and resemble small worms. (vchal/Getty Images)

How to recognize food moths

If you see the following, you could have Indian flour moths:

Larvae in the Food: Nothing is scarier than spilling some cereal and it starts moving! When the eggs hatch, the larvae spin webs in the infested food. You will see the lumps of belt and the small whitish worms. They start out very small but can grow up to 2/3 inches long with black or tan heads. You can also see tiny shed skins after the worms have gone away.

Larvae in the house: Look for larvae that are moving or hanging on the walls, often near the ceiling. They are looking for a nice dark crevice to pupate and turn into moths.

Cocoons: You can also see the Webby cocoons on top of cabinets and in corners.

Flying Moths: You may find the small 1/2 inch long brownish moths flying around your kitchen and pantry, usually around lights at night.

Sticky trap for grain moths, flour moths, meal moths and seed moths for every kitchen.

How to fight food moths

If you’ve spotted Indian flour moths in your pantry, you must take the following actions immediately, as they breed several times a year and will infest the rest of your pantry:

Eliminate Source: Find out which package introduced the infestation, wrap it tightly in a plastic bag and throw it away immediately.

Deep Cleaning: I can’t stress enough how deep you need to clean your pantry! You must: Discard all grains. Throw away all food packaging that can’t get wet (like boxes and bags) – the moths will lay eggs in every crack, including the folds of packaging. If the infestation is severe or you’re having trouble getting rid of them, just go ahead and throw everything out. Remove and discard shelf liners. Wash all unopened jars and cans in hot, soapy water. Use a toothpick to look for eggs or larvae in the cracks around the lids of the jars. Wash the inside of the pantry or closet with soap and water, and then with a weak bleach solution. Rinse with a mixture of water, vinegar, and peppermint oil to kill eggs and repel moths. If you have adjustable shelves or pegboards, take a toothpick and clean out the little peg holes! These are notorious for collecting moth eggs and webs. If you have used a vacuum cleaner, immediately change the vacuum cleaner bag and clean your vacuum cleaner. Finally, remove the trash and recyclables and clean your trash can and wastebaskets.

I can’t stress enough how thorough you need to clean your pantry! You will need:

Pheromone Traps: Sticky traps like Safer Pantry Pest Traps emit a scent that attracts male moths. While they won’t eliminate all of them, traps can help and give you a way to monitor the infestation.

Treating Suspicious Food: I tend to throw out anything that looks suspicious, but you can also treat food by baking it in the oven at 140F or higher for an hour, or microwaving food on high for 5 minutes, or bag groceries and put them in the freezer for a week.

Avoid Sprays: Pesticides should not be used around food.

Give it time: If the infestation is severe, it can take up to six months to get rid of all the moths and hatching larvae in your home. Wait to stock your pantry (beyond what you need in the short term) until you’re sure they’re gone.

Tightly sealed, hard containers are the perfect storage for any grains you might have.

This will prevent future food moth infestations

Organize the Pantry: Get rid of packaged foods that are past their sell-by dates.

Store smart: Buy grain products in small quantities and store them in airtight, sturdy, bug-proof containers (no plastic bags). This makes the occasional infestation a breeze and prevents a pantry disaster. Also, store large bags of pet food and bird seed in airtight containers in the shed or garage rather than the kitchen.

Shop Smart: Buy only the quantities of grain products you think you can use in a few weeks.

Freeze Treatment: When I buy flour, rice, and other grains that might sit in the pantry for a while, I come home straight from the store and put them in the freezer. A week or so is long enough to kill all the eggs and I haven’t had any problems with food moths since.

Clean Jars and Cans: My husband always washes unopened jars and cans after reading a study on the amount of bacteria (and worse) that gets on them in warehouses. This practice can also help wash away food moth eggs.

Refrigerate Groceries: If you have the space, store any infrequently used grains in the fridge or freezer until needed.

Bay Leaves: Bay leaves are said to be a natural moth repellent. A few leaves scattered around your pantry or cupboards might help keep the critters at bay (ha!).

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If you suspect you have food moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flour and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc. They look for adult moths, larvae, and eggs, which may look like webs or clumps of grain. Discard any infested food outside of the home.

Best Pantry Moth Trap: What Should I Look Out For?

Pantry moths may seem harmless at first, but here’s something to think about: These pesky pests lay their small, off-white eggs in areas where your flour, beans, nuts, cereal, dried fruit, birdseed, oatmeal, chocolate… , sweets , pet food, spices and many other types of stored goods are stored.

The eggs eventually hatch and a rickety, hungry assemblage of larvae begin to burrow inside and munch on your dry goods. They later begin spinning webs to build cocoons, then hatch into full-grown adults after some time. The adults will reproduce (females lay up to 400 eggs at a time!) and the cycle continues. A heavy infestation of food moths can take many months to clear completely.

What are food moths?

Pantry moths (also known as Indian meal moths, flour moths, flour moths, and grain moths) are common household pests that breed and lay their eggs in dry, stored foods. They usually get into your home by stowing into food shipments from infested warehouses, grain stores, etc. They can be found throughout the United States, although they are most prevalent in the Southeastern United States, particularly Florida.

Adults are about half an inch long with tinted gray and reddish brown wings. If you see one flying, there’s a good chance you already have an infestation on your hands.

Pantry moth larvae are grayish-white and also about half an inch long. They spin silk webs while buried in food containers. Advanced larvae have legs, which they often use to move around the pantry area (e.g. into cracks between themselves) before undergoing metamorphosis.

Indian flour moths have gray wings with brown spots on the outer part of their wings. The larvae are white with a brown head and grow to about ½ ʺ long. They often leave straps on pantry items and shelves. These pests eat a variety of stored goods, including grains, nuts, seeds, and even chocolate.

Flour moths are light gray and their wings are decorated with black wavy lines. The larvae have a dark head and a cream-colored body. Some flour moth larvae have a pink tint. Like the larvae of the Indian flour moth, they become ½ʺ. Despite their name, flour moths don’t just feed on flour. You will eat many things in your pantry, including grains and beans.

Grain moths usually infest food before it is brought into homes. The larvae are small, reaching about 1/8”. They have a white body with a yellow tint and a yellowish-brown head. These moths are known to develop in the kernels of corn or wheat. Although difficult to spot as larvae, these pests have an unpleasant odor that can be a sign of an infestation.

Are food moth traps effective?

Pesticides aren’t very effective on storage moths because the larvae can be difficult to find, plus you probably don’t want to use them in areas where you store your food.

Sticky moth traps work much better. Moth traps use pheromones to lure male moths into a small, enclosed area. Once the moths get inside, they will stick to the glue and later die.

Not only does this kill individual moths, but it also disrupts their mating so no new eggs appear for you to deal with.

The traps alone won’t solve your moth problem for you, but they will help you ward off one infestation and prevent future ones. Consistent cleanliness of food storage areas will help even more. If you see fewer and fewer moths in the traps over time, that’s a sign the traps are working.

Tips on using pantry moth traps

Set traps where you saw moths. While pantries and kitchens are the most common places, pantry moths pop up wherever they can find food sources.

It is best to place one trap in one area at a time.

Replace traps every 3 months or sooner if they become moth filled or dusty.

Are storage moths attracted to light?

Yes. Pantry moths are attracted to lights, they fly mostly at night and in a zigzag pattern.

How do food moths get into the house?

Pantry moths are cunning hitchhikers and can make their way into your home from infested grain stores and in boxed and packaged foods you buy at the grocery store.

How do food moths get into sealed bags?

Food moth larvae can eat through plastic bags and flimsy cardboard, even infesting unopened packages. They can camp in a wide range of dried foods such as grains, flour, muesli, beans, etc.

What do food moths eat?

Pantry moths will eat almost any dried food, such as flour, beans, nuts, cereal, dried fruit, birdseed, oatmeal, chocolate, candy, pet food, spices, and many other types of stored goods.

What does a food moth egg look like?

Edible moth eggs are tiny, round, and off-white in color. Edible moth eggs can hatch and larvae hatch within seven days. The larvae spin webs in stored food. Clumps of webbing and small, white “worms” appear. Although they start out small, they can grow up to 2/3 inches long with black or tan heads. The larvae also shed their skin as they develop and move away.

What should I do if I can’t find where food moths are coming from?

Edible moth larvae are adept at hiding in very small spaces. We recommend thoroughly inspecting the infested storage area with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Inspect food and packaging (look for small holes), corners, cracks, under shelves in corners, etc.

Pour out stored food and sift thoroughly. Look for signs of live moths or larvae (cream-colored, dark-headed, worm-like pests). Seeing such signs indicates where to focus your treatment efforts.

How do you get rid of food moths?

Again, if you’ve seen adult food moths or larvae flying, you probably have at least a minor infestation. And if left untreated, more and more of them will appear. Start getting rid of them by throwing away any open dry goods (open boxes of cereal, rice, etc.).

Thoroughly clean your pantry

Get everything out of your pantry and vacuum the shelves to remove any remaining moths, larvae, cocoons, etc. Thoroughly wash your pantry shelves with hot soapy water and then give them a good wipe with half warm water/half white vinegar to kill any unnoticed eggs.

By adding peppermint oil to the water and vinegar mixture, you can help prevent future food moth infestations. Peppermint oil is also great for killing and repelling spiders, ants, cockroaches, and other unwanted guests.

Wash food containers well

Thorough cleanliness helps prevent storage moths in the future. Wash and dry the inside and outside of all your food containers, even if they don’t appear to be infested. This will help kill any hidden eggs that go unnoticed.

take out the trash

After throwing away any infested food, seal the garbage bag tightly and dispose of outside. Also clean your kitchen waste bins thoroughly.

When throwing infested food in the garbage disposal, run hot water and run the disposal for a minute or two, then add just a few drops of liquid dish soap along with some ice cubes to get the blades nice and clean.

Don’t fill up yet

Wait at least a full week before replacing stored foods in your pantry. As with any other pest, once the food supply dries up, food moths will go elsewhere.

How can you prevent food moths?

Food moths, like other pests, can be easily prevented by eliminating the conditions that create them in the first place. Cleaner/tidier = fewer pests.

Wash off/wipe

Wash all your cans and bottles when you bring them home from the grocery store, or at least wipe them down with a sanitizing wipe or soapy washcloth.

The Great Freeze

Rice, flour, cereal, and other stored dry goods often have small, “acceptable” traces of insect parts, etc. in food, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. Freezing dried goods in tightly sealed plastic bags for two or three days before storing them in your pantry will help avoid conditions that could lead to an infestation.

Proper storage

Storing flour, grains, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, candy, cereal, etc. in airtight storage containers (preferably glass) or mason jars will also help prevent an infestation. Larvae also cannot chew their way out of containers when an infestation is underway.

bay leaves

Bay leaves are not only great spices, but also against food moths. Scatter a handful on your pantry shelves or store in shallow, open containers.

How to kill pantry moth eggs in cloth?

Use a space heater in any room where you want to get rid of pantry moth eggs or other pests. Monitor the area closely to avoid a fire hazard. Pest strips and food moth traps are also good for immobilizing them and disrupting their mating/egg-laying process.

Do moths eat clothes?

Pantry moths are not known to eat through clothing. They chew through paper and flimsy cardboard to access stored food, but they don’t attack your clothes like clothes moths.

Storage moths vs. clothes moths

If you notice holes in your clothes, you may be dealing with a clothes moth. These moths are similar in appearance to storage moths, which is why confusion often occurs. Clothes moths are between 3/8” and ½” long and larvae are about ½” long. Like storage moths, clothes moth larvae are responsible for eating your clothes.

How do you deal with pantry moths? Leave us a comment below!

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If you suspect you have food moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flour and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc. They look for adult moths, larvae, and eggs, which may look like webs or clumps of grain. Discard any infested food outside of the home.

Has your home recently been overrun by tiny gray moths that flutter about your kitchen erratically? Spotted suspicious webs in a cereal box? You may be sharing your kibble with food moths (Plodia interpunctella).

Although several species of moths can live and breed in our homes, one of the most common unwanted moth guests is the food moth (also known as the “Indian flour moth”).

Food moths are found on every continent except Antarctica. They feed on rice, grains, flour, noodles, grains, dried fruits, spices, seeds, nuts and other dried foods. Their fondness for dried foods makes them a major pest in grocery stores.

So how did they get into your home — and what can you do to get rid of them?

Read more: Why Tiny Ants Have Invaded Your Home and What You Can Do About It

“Large quantities of silk fabric and faeces”

Like other moths, pantry moths have four distinct life stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult.

The first sign of a food moth infestation is often the sight of adult moths flying around our kitchens in an erratic zigzag path.

Adult food moths have grey-colored wings with bronze or brown bands near the wingtips.

Although they can be a nuisance, adult moths do not feed at all. The problem arises when female moths lay their eggs in or around our food. The tiny eggs hatch into barely visible cream-colored caterpillars that are small enough to crawl into poorly sealed food containers. There they start to eat.

During their growth, caterpillars produce large amounts of silky tissue and feces, both of which can contaminate food.

Once a caterpillar has reached full size, it will leave the forage in search of a safe place to form a cocoon, usually a crevice, container lid, crevice, or corner. Sometimes they show up in the hinges of a pantry door.

A few weeks later, an adult moth will emerge from the cocoon, ready to begin the cycle again.

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How did food moths get into my house? And why are they more common lately?

Unfortunately, you probably brought them home yourself. Although food moths can enter through doors and windows, most cases likely start with us accidentally bringing eggs and caterpillars home in our dried groceries.

Kitchens full of unsealed containers and spilled food make an irresistible hodgepodge for female moths looking for the ideal spot to lay eggs.

Like many insects, food moths develop faster in warmer temperatures.

In warmer temperatures, females also lay more eggs and caterpillars are more likely to survive into adulthood.

But prolonged exposure to temperatures above 40℃ are deadly for eggs and caterpillars.

While storage moths can be found at any time of the year, the warm temperatures of late spring and early summer are often perfect to support rapid population growth.

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How do I get rid of food moths?

Eliminate their food sources first. Dry goods should be stored in sealed, airtight containers with tight fitting lids.

To prevent eggs and caterpillars from hitchhiking while shopping, place dried foods in the freezer for three to four days. this should kill any eggs and caterpillars that may be present.

If you already have an infestation, carefully investigate all potential food sources, including spices, grains, grains, dry pet food, pasta, seeds, nuts, tea, dried flowers, and dried fruits.

Pantry moth caterpillars are difficult to see; Look for the silky web they produce, which can cause food grains to clump together. These webbed clumps are often more conspicuous than the caterpillars themselves.

Infested food should either be thrown away or placed in the freezer for three to four days to kill eggs and caterpillars.

Clean up and dispose of spilled food on shelves, under toaster ovens, or behind storage bins. Even small amounts of food can support thriving caterpillar populations.

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Caterpillars can travel considerable distances to find a safe spot for a cocoon, so check shelves, walls, cracks, and ceilings. Moth cocoons can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth or using a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning and storing food properly are the best means of ending a storage moth outbreak. Sticky moth traps are commercially available and can be used to monitor and reduce moth populations.

Food moth traps — triangular cardboard covered in a thick sticky adhesive — are baited with a chemical that mimics the smell of a female food moth.

Males are attracted to the trap and hopelessly stick 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.

Insecticide sprays are unlikely to be effective because the food moth caterpillars and eggs are protected in food containers. Pantry moths are also resistant to a number of insecticides, making them ineffective. Insecticides should never be used on or near food.

What if I ate food moth eggs or larvae?

While it can be unsettling to find tiny caterpillars in the cereal you’ve been enjoying all week, accidentally eating food moth caterpillars is unlikely to cause any health problems.

Given how common they are in stored foods, chances are you’ve unknowingly consumed many moth eggs and larvae.

Thank goodness caterpillars are generally an excellent source of protein!

Read more: Curious Children: Do Butterflies Remember They Were Caterpillars?

cedar

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Cedar wood has long been recognized as a moth repellent. If you’re lucky enough to have a cedar-lined cabinet or chest, make use of it. Otherwise, grab some cedar shavings or blocks from the store and place them where needed. You can even buy cedar drawer liners or cedar rings that fit over hangers.

Note: Cedar wood loses its fragrance (the repellent aspect) over time. To bring back the scent, lightly sand the cedar or purchase a bottle of cedar oil and apply to the wood.

This post may contain affiliate links which do not change your price but share a small commission. I only recommend products that I have personally used.

Tired of finding food moths? Here’s how they get into your home, the tricky places they hide out, and natural ways to get rid of them for good.

What are food moths?

Also known as “Indian flour moths,” these small gray, tan, or brown flying pests are one of the most common household pests in the United States. You may have seen moths flying around your kitchen or found them in your food, or maybe even your bedroom. One of the most telltale signs of a food moth infestation is the silky webs they leave on and around food packaging.

signs of infestation

Most people don’t know that food moth larvae can chew through food wrappers. They can penetrate plastic packaging and paper boxes and weave webs into your food. You may find clumped pieces of grain or flour. Their eggs sometimes leave a strange smell. They may notice an odd odor in foods that have infested them, but not necessarily. The larvae may or may not still be present.

Their larvae also crawl into cracks and holes. You may discover dusty-looking webs in cracks around your closets, behind light or electrical panels, even in the gaps between your closet and the wall. Then you will find small brown moths flying around your house. Despite their name, food moths do not always stay in the kitchen. They breed wherever they find shelter.

Where are you from?

While you may have to clean out your pantry to get rid of them, your housekeeping is not to blame for food moths. Most often they get into your house because they are already in the packaging of dry food or have built a cocoon on cans or jars. Sometimes they fly into your home through gaps in window bars or open doors and then stay because they have found food.

Are they harmful?

The good news is that table moths or Indian flour moths are not harmful at any stage of their life cycle. They don’t bite people and don’t transmit diseases. Eating food infested with these moths or their eggs and larvae will not transmit any disease, but if you’re squeamish it may make your stomach turn when you know you have it.

The real reason to kill food moths and keep them out of your home is that they are unsightly and some foods can smell “rotten”. So if you’re tired of seeing moths flying around your kitchen and cupboards, or finding signs of moths in your food, it’s time to get serious about getting rid of them.

Steps to get rid of food moths naturally

For mild infestations, a thorough cleaning of the pantry and transfer of food to new containers may be sufficient. If you’ve seen dozens of food moths or found signs of them elsewhere in your home, the process will require more effort.

Step 1. Freeze dried goods

Dry goods are foods that are not available in cans or jars. This includes food sold in plastic packaging or boxes with or without a plastic inner liner. Because food moth larvae can feed through paper or plastic, any food that isn’t in a can or jar is a potential food source and breeding ground for them. This includes unopened dry goods. Dry goods that provide a food source and breeding ground for food moths include:

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Flours and flour cereals of all kinds

dried fruit

bulk grains

nuts, seeds, cereals

Crackers, chips, bread

sugar, baking powder or baking soda

coffee or tea

pet food, including birdseed

Other groceries in boxes or bags

You can freeze opened dry goods for 2-3 days to kill food moth larvae or eggs. Freezing doesn’t remove these pests, however, so you’ll have to decide whether or not you’re OK with eating dead ones. Therefore, if you’re squeamish, skip freezing and throw out opened items instead.

Step 2. Thoroughly clean the pantry

Cleaning to get rid of a food moth infestation involves a lot more than just wiping down shelves. Remember that larvae will seek out even the tiniest crevices to make their cocoons. Skipping steps won’t eliminate them all, and you’ll end up having to do it over and over again.

• Take everything out of your pantry. Remove the shelves from the supports, including the pins that hold the shelves in place. Larvae love to breed in these holes. If your pantry has drawers, pull them out all the way and set them aside. Pull up shelf liners or contact paper that you placed on the shelves. Gaps between shelves and liners are a favorite spot for food moth cocoons.

• Vacuum everything, including the doors and walls of your closets. Once you’ve removed drawers, vacuum the space they’re in along with the slides they’re resting on. Also clean the inside and outside of the drawers and their underside.

• Wash all surfaces. Use hot, soapy water, then wipe down with a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and warm water to kill any remaining eggs. (Don’t use a stronger solution or you could damage your cabinets.) Use a cotton swab or toothbrush to clean crevices and gaps, including the holes where the pins for the shelf supports go. Many readers have reported persistent problems with food moths despite cleaning until they discovered cocoons in these holes. Don’t skip them.

• Empty and clean your vacuum cleaner thoroughly. After throwing away the infested food and emptying your vacuum, seal the garbage bag tightly and place it in a second garbage bag. Knot this and take the whole thing outside, then wash your kitchen bin. Then clean your vacuum cleaner thoroughly so they don’t multiply in it too.

Step 3. Seal or caulk gaps

If storage moth problems are severe—or if cleaning alone hasn’t put an end to the problem—you’ll need to look for other gaps and crevices for them to hide in. Use the crevice tool on your vacuum to clean these areas. Seal gaps or cracks with caulk. Readers have reported finding cocoons and moths in the space between cabinets and walls, and joiner’s gaps in the cabinets. Other spots to check are behind your appliances and behind outlet covers and light switch panels.

Step 4. Change your food storage

Remember that anything that isn’t in a bottle or can is a potential food source and breeding ground for food moths, now or in the future. So transfer all your dried goods to airtight containers to keep pests out. Good options include Tupperware and some Rubbermaid products. (I use several types of jars, including these from Oxo.) If you prefer glass jars, look for jars with airtight hermetic seals. Avoid screw caps as even food moth cocoons have been found in the narrow space between the jar and the lid.

Step 5. Inspect adjacent rooms

If your food moth infestation has been going on for a while, the problem has probably spread. Readers have reported finding them in nearby closets and adjoining rooms. Sometimes you can even find food moths in bedrooms and bedroom closets. Pay special attention to where ceilings and walls meet at right angles, as well as around door frames and window trim, all of which provide a convenient place for dolls to build cocoons. A powerful flashlight can help you spot them in darker areas.

If you find them elsewhere in your home, use your vacuum to remove them and then spray the area and immediately wipe with a 50-50 vinegar and water mixture to get rid of any eggs remove. (Do not use vinegar on natural stone surfaces.) Empty and clean your vacuum immediately afterwards.

Step 6. Pantry Moth Traps and Solutions

Cleaning your pantry and food packaging will remove food moth larvae and eggs. You must combine this with killing adult moths before they have a chance to lay eggs, which will start the 30-300 day life cycle again. Try using moth traps with pheromones, which combine attractants with a sticky surface to attract food moths and keep them from flying out. Old-fashioned fly strips and bug killers can also work, but since they don’t contain attractants, they take longer.

How to prevent food moths

Pantry moths don’t just appear out of nowhere. Most of the time we bring them into the house with our groceries. If you take the time to complete the following tasks, you can prevent food moths from entering your home.

• Lift food out of packaging. When you get home from shopping, put packaged dry goods in airtight containers and freeze them for three days before putting them on your shelves.

• Wipe down canned goods and bottles. Use a damp, soapy cloth and examine lids for signs of food moth cocoons before placing produce on your pantry shelves.

• Do not use self-adhesive shelf wrap or contact paper. Pantry moths and other household pests often cocoon or lay eggs where the rough edges will stand out over time.

• Use scents that food moths don’t like. Sprinkle fresh or dry bay leaves on your shelves as a deterrent. Pantry moths and some other household pests don’t like the scent of bay leaves, so stay away. You can also add a few drops of Laurel (Laurel Nobilis) essential oil to this homemade all-purpose spray recipe and use it to cleanse.

Above all, you need to be vigilant and deal with storage moths before they get the upper hand. Clean out your pantry weekly and inspect your shelves frequently. Recognizing the early signs of a moth infestation gives you a chance to deal with it before it gets out of hand.