Moths in the kitchen: species, prevention and control


Food moths are a real problem in many kitchens. Find out in detail in this post what these pests really are, what they attack and how they can protect themselves and fight them.

Food moths - what is it?

The pests called "food moths" or "kitchen moths" are not moths but butterflies. All food moths belong to the group of growers, and feed mainly on stored food. For this reason, they often pose a major problem as storage pests, even in private kitchens.

The three main types of corn borers that are also present in our kitchens are

  • the dried fruit moth
  • the flour moth and
  • the flour thinner

They mainly feed on:

  • Rice, corn and flour
  • Baked goods and pasta
  • Spices and nuts
  • Dried fruit and instant products as well
  • chocolate

All of these foods can also be attacked by the moths through their usual packaging. You can easily penetrate plastic packaging.

Dried fruit moth

Dried fruit moths are the most prevalent stock pests in private households. They can be up to about 2 cm in size (wing span) and are gray-yellowish in their upper half, the lower half of their wings is colored brown. They live up to 2 weeks and reproduce very quickly, often several times a year, laying a large number of eggs. The approximately 2 cm long caterpillars live up to about a month before they become moths.

meal moths

Unlike the dried fruit moths, the flour moths have a much longer caterpillar stage - they usually often do even more damage. They prefer to infest crops, especially flour. Flour moths are very active and gluttonous and can easily overcome all types of packaging. Adult flour moths are evenly brown to lightly silvery colored, the white caterpillars are up to 2 cm in length. Afflicted supplies can usually only be thrown away.

Pyralis Farinalis

Mehlzünsler are rarer than the other two species. They reach a wingspan of up to 3 cm and see a moth much more similar than the other two species. The caterpillars are recognizable by their dark brown head and the yellowish brown neck shield. They are about 2.5 cm long. The preferred food source are above all grains and grain products.

Recognition of infestation

A very sure sign that an infestation is present, the so-called "Gespinströhren". They are produced by the caterpillars (larvae) and go through the infested food as thin white and often sticky threads.

In the food moths, the eggs (usually 200-300 per female, often several times a year) are placed directly into the food. From the eggs, the caterpillars hatch, which immediately start to put on Gespinströhren. Existing sphincter tubes are thus a sure sign that an infestation is present - even if no caterpillars or larvae or adult thorns can be seen.

Another sure sign is tiny holes in food packaging. Almost all types of edible moths can easily penetrate food packaging. The tiny holes are a sure sign that they have already penetrated the packaging and have already infested the food they contain (oviposition).

pheromone traps

Pheromones are sex attractants that are typical of any animal species. Especially insects react very intensively to these attractants. If pheromone traps are set up, they attract the animals, which then get caught on the tape.

Pheromone traps are not effective in controlling infestation but are a good way to detect moth infestation early.

Fight food moths

Basically, all infested food must be sorted out and discarded completely. To be on the safe side, you should also discard all packs lying next to it in a package in which unequivocal infestation has been found.
Before throwing it away, you should expose the affected packs to temperatures that are as high as possible or as low as possible in order to safely and completely kill the pests they contain before they are discarded. Thus, a spread and another infestation is safely excluded elsewhere.

The easiest way is to put the affected foods and food packs in the oven and expose them to a temperature of around 80° C for a period of about 2 hours. This kills all moth species. Alternatively, you can freeze the affected foods for 2 days.

A thorough cleaning of the cabinets to remove any remaining eggs should be done afterwards. Heat would be beneficial - a steam cleaner provides high enough temperatures to destroy all the eggs where the steam penetrates.

Parasitic wasps for moth control

Occasionally harmless parasitic wasps are used as a "biological weapon" against moths. The wasps, which are barely visible to the naked eye, use the eggs of the moths for their own multiplication and thus cause the moth population to die. If no more moth eggs are present, the parasitic wasps can no longer multiply and also die out in the kitchen cupboard. Cygnets can be bought as a mothicide in small letters.

prevention

Since most food packaging can be easily penetrated by the moths, all supplies that could be affected should always be stored in sturdy, lockable plastic and glass containers. The moths can not penetrate these containers and thus lay no eggs. That's the safest way to prevent it.

Tips & Tricks

Never store too much stock - a single infestation can destroy them all. Also always check your supplies regularly.
Moths in the kitchen: species, prevention and control

FAQ - 💬

❓ What is the best prevention for moths?

👉 Moths hate light and movement, so keep your closet open, air it out regularly, and move clothes around. Keep an eye on your sweaters and other wool clothes for signs of moths, and be diligent about keeping them clean. Likewise, wash any vintage or used clothes you buy before storing them.

❓ How do you control moth?

👉 Here are some top tips for effective moth removal:

  1. Fill your home with cedar. ...
  2. Combine dried, crushed, and powdered herbs. ...
  3. Use a sticky trap. ...
  4. Keep your floors, carpets, and moldings vacuumed and dusted. ...
  5. Freeze any clothes or belongings that show signs of moths. ...
  6. Wash clothes that contain larvae or eggs.

❓ What is a natural way to get rid of moths?

👉 Make your own natural repellant – Place dried rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender or bay leaves into a small cloth bag and hang them in your wardrobe and place them in your drawers. The oil form of these herbs, sprayed on contaminated areas and clothes, can also repel moths.

❓ What smells keep moths away?

👉 Use herbs or essential oils. Moths, like many insects, simply can't stand the smell of some of the most aromatic herbs, like mint, lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Use this to your advantage to create natural moth repellents in your home.

❓ What is the best pantry moth killer?

👉 Best Pantry Moth Traps comparison table

  • 1st Place. Pantry Moth Traps - 4 Pack. ...
  • 2nd Place. Raid Pantry Moth Trap. ...
  • 3rd Place. Pantry Moth Traps 6 Pack | Child and Pet Safe | No. ...
  • 4th Place. Catchmaster 813SD Pantry Pest Moth Traps, Natural. ...
  • 5th Place. Kitchen Pantry Moth Traps Prime Pantry Moth Traps With Pheromones Pet Safe.

❓ How do pest control get rid of moths?

👉 Heat treatment is the best method of moth pest control as it reaches deep underneath the carpets where larvae and eggs can be found. It will also remove moths from your clothes so you won't have to take them to the dry cleaner.

❓ What kills moth larvae?

👉 Moth eggs, larvae and adult moths can all be killed by a hot-water wash cycle or by dry cleaning. And any that remain in the closet can be vacuumed up or removed by scrubbing.

❓ What kills a meal moth?

👉 Both freezing and heating will kill Indian meal moth larvae. Effective freezing methods include keeping the contaminated item for four to seven days in the freezer.

❓ What pesticide kills pantry moths?

👉 Aerosol Usage Phantom Aerosol, Microcare Aerosol or Alpine PT Aerosol may be used as a crack and crevice treatment in the corners, and cracks and crevices of the pantry and cupboards to kill the adult moths and prevent further infestations.

❓ What causes moths in the pantry?

👉 Although pantry moths can enter via doors and windows, most infestations probably start when we inadvertently bring home eggs and caterpillars in our dried foods. Kitchens full of unsealed containers and spilled food create an irresistible smorgasbord for female moths looking for the ideal place to lay eggs.

❓ How do I get rid of pantry moths forever?

👉 How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

  1. STEP 1: Empty the pantry and inspect its contents. Empty out the affected area—completely. ...
  2. STEP 2: Dispose of non-airtight containers. ...
  3. STEP 3: Vacuum the area, then clean with a vinegar-and-water solution. ...
  4. STEP 4: Don't re-stock the pantry right way!


Video Board: How to get rid of PANTRY WEEVILS & MOTHS