It is often distressing to reach for a bag of food and find it full of maggots or open kitchen cupboards only to have pantry moths fly out. These unwanted pests can ruin entire food supplies and reproduce quickly, and they are invasive and challenging to control once an infestation has established itself. Getting rid of them can seem overwhelming, and if you’ve seen a pantry moth, a lot more are likely hiding in dark corners.
If you have a pantry moth problem in your house, now is the time to learn what they look like, what is attracting them to your home, how they are getting in, and how you can get rid of them safely and for good. If you are struggling with an infestation, Guard Pest Control provides pest control in Everett you can rely on to eliminate them safely.
What Do Pantry Moths Look Like?
Several types of pantry moths could have invaded your home. Here are the most common ones and how to identify them:
- The Indian meal moth is the most common one. It is less than half an inch long and bronze-colored.
- The Mediterranean flour moth is about half an inch long and is dirty white to black and white.
- The white-shouldered house moth is less than half an inch long and is light brown with a white head and white shoulders.
- The brown house moth is the largest and the most destructive of the four types of pantry moths. It is brown to black.
All these moths can fly and have long wings and antennae. Because they can contaminate your food, it is vital to determine why they have invaded your home.
What Is Attracting Pantry Moths To My House?
All pantry moths are generally attracted to the same things, mainly sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, grains, and snacks. They will also get into pet food, nuts and seeds, and other dry goods. If you don't carefully seal food items or if you don't quickly clean up spilled bags of food, you are more likely to see them in kitchens. Sometimes the best food storage practices are not enough to keep them out of your home.
How Are Pantry Moths Getting Into My House?
Unfortunately, the best cleaning and food storage practices might not be enough to keep pantry moths away. They likely got into your house through already contaminated packaged food. After bringing home infested food, it is only a matter of time until pantry moths reach the adult stage of their life cycle and start invading your cupboards and reproducing. Even sealing your food items might not be enough, as the pantry moth larvae can eat through thin plastic containers. If you suddenly find yourself invaded by pantry moths, you must take steps to eliminate them quickly.
How Can I Get The Pantry Moths Out Of My Home For Good?
Getting rid of pantry moths can be difficult because they reproduce quickly and away from human activity. Even if you have seemingly contained an infestation, another might start after the eggs turn into larvae. However, here are some steps you can take to get rid of pantry moths:
- Empty the infested areas and toss any contaminated items into the trash.
- Use warm water and soap to clean every container that has been in contact with pantry moths.
- If possible, keep the area free of food items until the infestation.
- Remove all pantry moth nests and webs as soon as you see them and clean all surfaces.
- Look in dark cupboard corners, on the ceiling, under cabinets, and other hidden areas.
- Do not keep food in plastic bags, as pantry moth larvae can chew through them. Instead, use solid plastic with airtight lids.
- Contact a pest control professional who can inspect your kitchen for hidden nests and give you the advice needed to control the infestation.
Pantry moths can be found all over the house, and it can take months to get rid of an infestation on your own. If you are struggling with a pantry moth infestation in your Everett home, Guard Pest Control can help you eliminate it safely.
Pantry moths can appear in your home out of nowhere, and they can quickly take over your food supply once established. Getting rid of a pantry moth infestation can be overwhelming, but with the help of experts, you can regain control of your home safely and for good.