Pantry moth or Kitchen Moth infestations are a regular problem in Sutherland Shire, Australia
Pantry moths or Kitchen Moths infest flour, cereals, grains, processed foods, crackers, pasta, powdered milk, dried fruits, nuts, popcorn and spices. Also Bird seed, dried flowers and pet food can also be a source of infestation.
Pantry moth or Kitchen Moth, for the most part have a complete life cycle, egg, larva, pupa, adult and can all be found at the same time in a food product. Humidity and warm weather typically is the trigger that sets off the infestation. Pantry moth or Kitchen Moth don’t have to come from an open container, they can start from a brand new box of food and chew their way out as a worm (larva).
Other Pantry Pests
Stored product or pantry pests include several beetles, moths, psocids, and mites that can infest whole grains or processed foods. The pests are usually introduced into the home in an infested package of food. Initially, infestations are easily overlooked because most stored product pests are very small. Often the first indication of an infestation is the sudden appearance of moth larvae crawling across the ceiling or counter tops, small moths flying about the kitchen, or the presence of beetles in or near the food package.
Pantry Moth – Elimination Process
- Inspect – look for adults, larvae, cocoon webbing.
- Remove – remove everything from the pantry.
- Throw Out – infested food products (if larvae is present definitely throw out).
- Freeze moth eggs in food sources – Place flour, grains, dry food products in freezer for 1 week to kill any moth eggs
- Bag food products – If can’t freeze everything, divide food products into garbage bag sizes and seal the bags. Leave for a week and open bags outside one by one. If adults are in bag, throw out contents. If nothing found, good chance the contents are ok.
- Vacuum you pantry – vacuum the shelves and floor of your pantry.
- Crack and crevice – spray cracks and crevices with a good aerosol with tube on nozzle.
- Clean your pantry – clean the shelves and walls with hot soapy water.
- Wash – plastic containers before reusing with hot soapy water.
- Dry the shelves.
- Trap stray months – place pheromone sticky traps in pantry to catch stray adults.
- Bay Leaves – can be used to deter moths for future.
- Put food back into pantry.
- Keep inspecting pantry, and any food products being brought in.
- Freeze new products upon entry for a week where possible (flour, grains etc.)
Did you know Pantry Moths
Only live for a week or two but in that time, hundreds of eggs will be dropped and the cycle continues.
If you would like more information about getting rid of Flying Insects you can click here >
If you think you might have a Flying Insect infestation in your home you can contact Knockout Pest Control by Rentokil for a pest inspection. You can call our service team on 1300 858 140. or you can send us an email by using the Contact Form by clicking here
