How to permanently get rid of food moths using the right methods
Food moths (Plodia interpunctella, aka Indianmeal moths) are a considerable nuisance in our kitchens, as you have probably experienced. In fact, these small insects feed on dry foods such as flour, cereals, legumes, dried fruit, sugar and cocoa and frequently settle in our pantries, taking over our food supplies.
These moths are capable of reproducing at alarming speed, since a single female can lay up to 300 eggs; for this reason, timely action is necessary to get rid of this pest.
There are many remedies that we can use to get rid of these moths, when none seem to work, the only possible solution left seems to be the use of adhesive/sticky traps. Let's find out together how to best to permanently eliminate these annoying insects.
Adhesive traps are simple cardboard sheets covered with a sticky substance and impregnated with a substance that smells like the pheromones of female moths. Attracted by the smell, males approach and get trapped; in this way, the mailes will not be able to fertilize the females, who will end their life cycle without laying eggs and putting an end to the infestation.
In order for these traps to be effective and long-lasting, however, some precautions are necessary:
- Check all foodstuffs in the pantry, especially grains, flours and flour-based products, and throw out any that contain larvae or larvae filaments (that look a little like cobwebs).
- Also check all the kitchen cabinets, including any crevices the walls, baseboards, and sealed packages. Clean everything with a disinfectant product or with white vinegar.
- Replace sticky traps regularly and place them in strategic spots in your pantry.
You can also help yourself by using a tip which keep the moths away: use a "nailed" orange. Once you have finished cleaning, place an orange into which you have pushed cloves, into the pantry area - the smell will repel the moths.
Are you ready to protect your pantry?
