Q&A for How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

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  • Question
    How do I keep my pantry moths from coming back?
    Chris Parker
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Expert Answer
    When vacuuming and scrubbing out the shelves, pay special attention to the corners. People can sometimes miss the corners at the front of the cabinet where shelves meet the cabinet face since you have to stick your head inside the cabinet to see them. Insects are most likely in a corner, so this is a big mistake!
  • Question
    Are there human health effects to eating food that has unnoticed eggs or larvae?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Don't worry if you have accidentally consumed any eggs or larvae. Pantry moths don't spread any diseases or parasites, but they are unpleasant to find in your food. These pests aren't a health issue, but they do cause the spoilage and wastage of food.
  • Question
    Can a parrot's food or cage be the source of pantry moths?
    Community Answer
    Bird seed is a very likely source. It's not manufactured or stored in as sanitary conditions as human foodstuffs.
  • Question
    Can I put a few naphthalene balls in the kitchen shelves to get rid of moths
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Moth balls are toxic and shouldn't be used in areas with food. Clean your pantry out thoroughly instead.
  • Question
    Do food products that are packaged in sealed plastic bags or sealed cardboard box liners have to be discarded?
    Community Answer
    It is not unusual to open packages to check and find larva or adults in packages. They seem to like cardboard and paper in general. Larva can be found in unopened wax paper packaging, plastic sealed containers, etc. Check it all. They can also lay eggs on the lip of jars, so be thorough.
  • Question
    Do larvae and eggs drown in water?
    Community Answer
    A small jar of water in the pantry will catch moths and drown the eggs.
  • Question
    When you see the moth have they all ready laid their eggs if so how many eggs per moth roughly? Will a professional clean them up faster?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    If you see a pantry moth, it's likely that there are many more moths and their eggs which you haven't spotted. Each female moth can lay up to 650 eggs in their life cycle. It should take you only around 2-3 hours to thoroughly clean out your pantry, and to discard any contaminated food. Call a professional if you continue getting pantry moth infestations.
  • Question
    Should I throw away all my spices?
    Community Answer
    If they are infested, it is recommended that you replace them.
  • Question
    Is infestation visible to the eye? Do I need to toss that whole bag of dog food, even if I don't see worms or mites?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes there would be little cream colored 'crumbs' sitting at the bottom of the food item. It could be popcorn kernels, rice, dried foods, etc. These are eggs. Your dog probably wouldn't care about eating a few though.
  • Question
    If I took one pantry egg and transported it to a new home, what would be the results? Can it start all over again?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it can because the eggs hatch and grow to an adult and they then lay more eggs.
  • Question
    How can I prevent moths from getting into my rice containers?
    Community Answer
    Store your rice in containers that can be sealed completely.
  • Question
    I followed these steps but have not put anything back in my cabinets. It's been 4 weeks and I still notice new moths on the glue traps. How long should it be before they are all gone?
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, the eggs can survive unhatched for up to 300 days. Check previously infested areas at least twice a day, and remember to replace glue traps every couple of months, even if you haven't seen activity. If you don't see anything after 301 days, consider yourself moth-free.
  • Question
    Do moth balls have any effect on pantry moths?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Moth balls shouldn't be used around food or food storage containers. Clean out your food cupboards thoroughly instead.
  • Question
    Are meal moths the same as wool moths?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Meal moths infest food, and wool moths infest clothing. They need to be dealt with differently.
  • Question
    After I have discarded, cleaned, sealed everything that was difficult to clean in Ziploc bags, vacuumed, and sprayed crevices with bleach, will caulking and repainting my pantry help smother any left-behind eggs that were missed?
    Community Answer
    Ziploc bags do not keep out the moths. These crafty creatures can get in there. You need vacuum-sealed containers.
  • Question
    Why is there a smell in the cupboard that they were found in?
    Community Answer
    There shouldn't be a smell. Maybe it was something else you put in there. As the article said, wash it out thoroughly.
  • Question
    Sprayed closet with raid killed the moths but can't get rid of the smell of raid?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Clean out your cupboard with a warm water, vinegar, and peppermint oil solution. This should neutralise the smell.
  • Question
    I had a bad case of meal moths a few years ago and had the house sprayed by an exterminator. Every now and then I see one or two and I have had my house exterminated two more times. I keep getting strays on the paper traps, how do I get rid of them once and for all?
    Community Answer
    Sanitation is key. Also, discarding the infested products will insure you have taken care of the problem.
  • Question
    Will cedar wood cause the moths to go away like clothing moths?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    You can try using cedar wood, but it won't be as effective as thoroughly cleaning out your pantry and contaminated food.
  • Question
    Where can I find pictures of what kinds of white moths I'd find indoors?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Use a search engine, or contact your local exterminator to identify the species.
  • Question
    By storing food in glass containers, will this eliminate the larvae?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    This won't eliminate the larvae, but it will stop the moths from spreading either to or from that container.
  • Question
    How do I prepare for the long-term storage of flour and grains?
    Community Answer
    Most of these items can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Put them in the appropriate plastic storage bags (double bag if desired) or airtight plastic containers to prevent moisture and odors from penetrating them.
  • Question
    Will freezing kill the larvae?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but only freeze food that doesn't show infestation. Leave your food in the freezer for a week -- this should kill all the larvae.
  • Question
    How does the infestation start?
    Community Answer
    A lot of times, an infestation starts with a purchase of something that contains larvae of the moths.
  • Question
    I emptied my pantry after finding dozens of white grubs, which I am killing, but more keep appearing. What can I use to get rid of them?
    Community Answer
    Chances are moths have laid eggs outside your pantry in corners and crevices around the house. You can purchase a self-applied insect surface spray pack from a hardware shop or call a professional . A strong bleach solution in a cheap garden sprayer will also work. Either way, you need to spray all corners and nooks and crannies around your house, and don't forget to remove all drawers and spray both underneath them and inside the drawer cabinets.
  • Question
    What harm is done if I accidentally eat food infested with moth larva?
    Community Answer
    While not a pleasant thought, moths, grubs and larva are soon killed and broken down by stomach acid, and are unlikely to do any harm. In reality, they probably are quite nutritious.
  • Question
    What can cause moths to be in an empty house?
    Community Answer
    If the weather is bad or not the ideal temperature, they could seek shelter in a home, just like animals and people do.
  • Question
    Will the moth eggs freeze if I put infested food in my freezer?
    Linda Kuczwanski
    Community Answer
    Apparently so. I put my screw top container of bird pellets in the freezer after discovering adult moths. I have since taken it out of the freezer and left it out, and I have seen no more moths in the container.
  • Question
    I have followed all the proper procedures and still cannot find the source of these moths. I have cleaned everything with bleach and have thrown away so much food. What do I do if I cannot find the source?
    Community Answer
    You must have eggs hatching in areas that have not been reached. Check under drawers and inside cabinets, and keep applying a strong bleach solution and an insecticide surface spray or citronella oil. Set new sticky moth traps every two months. Hopefully the traps will eventually catch the moths before they get a chance to keep hatching, but missed eggs can keep hatching for up to about ten months.
  • Question
    Is it safe for birds to eat larvae or eggs?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Pantry moths aren't harmful to birds, but it will cause the bird food to spoil and for the nutritional content to be reduced.
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