Having a clean kitchen and pantry does not always ensure that you will not have moths in the pantry because there are so many ways for the critters to find their way into your home. Cleaning kitchens and pantries to maintain their clean looks seems too stressful, and there would be lapses in the schedule as it becomes difficult to devote too much time to it. Therefore, it will be wishful thinking to have your pantry free from moths. Instead, think about pragmatic ways of solving the problem, which should not be difficult at all.
Pantry moths are the most unwanted creatures globally, and it is incredibly annoying to see their presence in your kitchen and pantry. Knowing how to fight the tiny enemies that pose big problems will rid the pantry of the creatures that you would hate to see in your pantry again. However, your efforts in eradicating pantry moths might not ensure long term results, for which you must see the professional services for moth control Wilmington, DE. In between the professional services, you must play your part well to ensure that the pests do not return.
What are pantry moths?
Pantry moths of Indian Meal Moths are tiny pests about half an inch long when fully grown. Dry food items attract these pests, and you could find them in the jars in your pantry that contain flour, dried fruits, grains, nuts, powdered milk, etc. The moths’ name is a bit of a misnomer because the pests do not have any Indian origin. Since it is fond of feeding on corn-meal, also known as Indian meal, it inspired the name.
Identifying pantry moths
Pantry moths are just one of the many pests that infest kitchens and pantries. If you want to eradicate the particular type, you must know how to identify the tiny insect so that you can consult a moth exterminator to do the job for you.
Pantry moths exist in various forms at different stages of their life cycle and most visible in the form of larvae in some cereals, which after hatching, start spinning webs that mix with the food. You will find the little whitish worms along with clumps of webbings. A fully grown pest can be as long as 2″ to 3″ with brown or blackheads.
Sometimes you can see the larvae hanging from the walls, mostly near the ceiling. They are searching for some crevice where it can take shelter and grow into a moth. On looking closely at the cabinet tops, you might discover some webby cocoons too.
Eliminating pantry moths
On spotting pantry moths in your pantry, you must act fast and take some planned action to eliminate them. Leaving anything to chance in eradicating the pests can only create bigger problems because of the fast multiplication that takes place, and soon you could have a swarm of pests in your pantry.
Knowing the source from which the months find their way into your pantry should help to take suitable action to prevent its entry. It is a better solution than trying to drive out the moths because it eradicates the problem from the roots. But the task is not easy because multiple channels can carry the pests into your home. The food packages of cereals, grains, nuts, etc., that you bring at home are most prone to pests, and soon after pouring them into jars, scrutinize them to detect their presence. It is not easy because the pests might stay deep inside the jar, which is not visible during inspection. Check the jar after shaking the contents vigorously that should make the pests visible. If you detect pests, throw away all the contents.
Avoid damp and wet environment
The cabinets where you store the food products must be dry because moths thrive in damp and cool environments. If you store food packages, ensure that these are dry too. Even a little moisture will encourage moth growth. Moths can lay eggs within the packages’ folds, which would usually escape your attention, and soon the pest infestation would become worrisome. If you have the slightest hint about possible problems, throw away the packages as soon as you come to know about the imminent danger. Beware of shelf liners that are hotspots for pantry moths, and throwing these away is the only solution.
Pheromone traps
The traps emit a smell that attracts male moths, and it can be a measure in controlling the moth population, although it does not ensure its eradication. You will at least have the satisfaction of dealing with a lesser threat.
The time it takes to eradicate moth infestation is quite long, especially for intense infestations, but timely action will prevent aggravation of the problem and give quicker results.
