How to get rid of food moths

food moth – an insect that appears in the kitchen and infects bulk products:

Cereals.
Legumes.
Nuts.
Dried fruits.
Dry food for animals.
Cereals, etc.

It is difficult to fight this parasite, but there are still ways to clean the premises from the pest.

food moth

First of all, you need to know what this pest looks like:

This is a small butterfly, up to 1 cm in size,
The butterfly is gray or brown with a pearlescent tint and patterns on the wings in the form of stripes or dots.
Thanks to this color, it is difficult to notice on food products.
It moves through the air chaotically, constantly changing direction.
Moth larvae are small translucent white worms with a dark head.
Most often this insect can be seen in the evening; it is active at night. During the day - sits motionless on walls, furniture or other objects in the kitchen.

Preventive measures

As part of preventive measures, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules.

You should not purchase large quantities of grocery products for future use, especially flour, cereals and pasta.
When purchasing, you should carefully check the strength of the packaging and the condition of the product. The presence of fine dust and debris may be a sign of infection.
After purchasing, it makes sense to pour the product into sealed containers for storage.
Aromatic herbs, spices and garlic cloves on the shelves will repel butterflies from the products.
Regular ventilation of the room will also serve as a useful preventative measure, since moths do not tolerate drafts well.
It is effective for timely detection of moths to regularly inspect food supplies and clean cupboards.

Signs of appearance

The pest may not be immediately noticed; it camouflages itself very well. But some characteristic signs of the appearance of moths are still present from the first days, and subsequently they become more and more noticeable:

Small gray-brown butterflies appeared chaotically flying in the kitchen and adjacent rooms. At first these are isolated cases, but if measures are not taken, they become more numerous. In addition to flying through the air, they can also be seen in bulk products, where they climb to lay eggs. They are clearly visible in light-colored flour and cereals.
Inside kitchen cabinets, in corners, cracks, and sometimes just on the wall, small transparent white worms with a dark head - moth larvae - crawl. They can also be seen in food containers.
In cereals or other similar products, cobwebs or small lumps of grains, dust and cobwebs with a worm inside have appeared - cocoons from which an adult individual emerges.

If at least one of these signs is noticed, it is necessary to act immediately, without waiting for the time when all the supplies in the kitchen are infected with this parasite.

Description, reproduction and lifestyle of the pest

The moth has an inconspicuous appearance and is small in size. The length of the wings rarely exceeds 10 mm. They are characterized by a discreet color - dark gray, brown or beige. Mainly nocturnal in the kitchen.

Butterflies do not need food; they only need water to survive. The adult individual loses the ability to digest food, its main goal becomes laying eggs and preserving its offspring. Food moths have an accelerated reproduction period—two months. High humidity and a temperature of at least 20°C provide a favorable environment for the life of the parasite.

The life cycle of a moth is on average ten days, but this time is more than enough for it to breed a huge number of new pests. The larvae of food moths are small - 1-1.5 cm long. These are white-yellow or pink caterpillars, absolutely smooth, without hairs or growths. They are the ones who cause the most damage. Caterpillars eat food, leaving behind webs and waste products. Pellets form in cereals, and worms appear in nuts and dried fruits.

Not only food moths, but also clothes moths can appear in an apartment. You need to understand how to distinguish them from each other, this will help you quickly find the source of infection. The clothes moth is slightly smaller than its counterpart and has milky-gray wings. He lives in closets and wardrobes, eats clothes, furniture upholstery, and carpets.

It is necessary to get rid of moths immediately after detection, since the worms cause significant damage to food products and multiply at enormous speed.

Harm from food moths

The moth itself is not dangerous to humans. But still, its existence in the kitchen does a lot of harm:

Flying through the air, adult individuals can get into prepared food that is on the table, contaminating it and making it unfit for consumption.
Moth larvae, when multiplying, spoil all bulk products in the kitchen, contaminating them with waste products and shell residues, which must then be thrown away.
In addition, by crawling on kitchen utensils and dishes, worms can spread infection. Eating foods contaminated with moths can lead to unpleasant or even serious consequences:
Lead to indigestion.
Intoxication.
Decreased immunity.
The presence of a pest in the kitchen causes psychological discomfort. Moths flying through the air, worms crawling everywhere, thoughts that there could be parasites in the products from which the food is prepared can unbalance even the most mentally stable person.

Lifespan

Life cycle of a moth.

After mating, kitchen moths look for a moist, warm place where they will lay eggs. She needs 5-7 hours for fertilization and laying, after which she dies.

It takes 5-7 days from the maturation of the eggs to the appearance of the larvae. At one time, the female lays 50-100 eggs; they are very small, and it is almost impossible to notice their presence on food.

After emergence, the larva begins to eat food and throw waste into it. Cocoon formation is the final stage when cobwebs or balls appear in products.

The life cycle from egg to mating adult lasts 6-8 weeks.

Reasons for appearance

It is a mistaken belief that moths are caused by a sloppy housewife. This does not depend on cleanliness; insects can appear even in the most sterile kitchen. It cannot start on its own, but gets into the apartment in a certain way.

Let's consider the reasons for the appearance of a pest in an apartment:

Most often, the insect is brought into the house along with purchases. When bulk products are stored improperly in warehouses and stores, this pest is introduced there. Factory packaging or packaging is not an obstacle to contamination of the contents. The larvae easily gnaw through cellophane or paper and easily climb inside. Cereals and other dry foods can contain both adult insects and insect larvae, cocoons or eggs.
Moths, like any flying insect, can fly into the kitchen through a window or an open door, through ventilation ducts from neighbors.
The reason for the presence of moths in the apartments of a multi-storey building may be a grocery store located on the ground floor, in the warehouses of which dry foods are stored in large quantities. But these are rarer cases of a pest entering an apartment.

Organization of food storage

As already noted, moths enter the house with spoiled food in the form of larvae, and only then turn into insects that fly. To combat it, you should follow the following rules and recommendations.

Be sure to look through all food supplies in the cabinets. If any signs of cobwebs, larvae or adult insects are found, the entire stock should be destroyed. You should not buy a huge amount of food in reserve. The maggots may not appear during storage, but if an affected batch is received, the entire stock may be damaged and will have to be thrown out.
It is better to purchase quality products from trusted brands. It's better to pay a little more than just throw everything away.
When purchasing, you should carefully consider the packaging of the product. The slightest hint of cobwebs or lumps should be a signal that you should not purchase such products.
After destroying contaminated food, it is imperative to clean the kitchen. Very often, moths begin to multiply further in food spilled on the floor or table.
When searching for moth breeding sites, you should check every package, especially in the pantry. It is in such forgotten and nondescript packages that the main breeding ground for moths may be located.

It is worth noting that the name “kitchen moth” is a collective name for several species of butterflies belonging to the moth family. At home, the granary or flour moth is mainly found. A distinctive feature of the first individual is the presence of a light stripe on the brown wings.

Fighting methods

In order to get rid of a pest, it is necessary, first of all, to find the product in which the larvae have settled and get rid of it as quickly as possible.
Then you need to check all the cereals, flour, nuts, dried fruits, mushrooms, pet food and other dry foods in the kitchen to determine the presence or absence of insects. Pay special attention to those that are stored for a long time.
If there is little grain left, or the pest infestation is already significant , it is better to throw it away to avoid reappearance.
All remaining bulk products must be fried in the oven or in a frying pan or frozen for several days.
After getting rid of the source of infection, you need to thoroughly wash all kitchen cabinets with soapy water , rinse with clean water and preferably treat with a brush dipped in table vinegar. Leave the doors open until completely dry.

After such manipulations, it is necessary to treat the room with special anti-moth products.

Chemicals

Nowadays, stores have a huge selection of various chemicals that will help get rid of both adult insects and larvae.

They can be divided into two groups:

Insecticides, poisonous agents that kill an existing pest.
Repellents are plant-based substances that repel parasites, preventing them from laying eggs.

Types of funds

Insecticides are manufactured in the following forms:

Aerosols are a very effective, but at the same time dangerous, remedy. When using them, it is necessary to take into account toxicity and harm to all living things in the apartment. Such products must be used exactly in accordance with the instructions, while observing all necessary safety measures. Before starting to treat the premises, it is necessary to remove all food supplies, dishes, and pets from it. After achieving the result, ventilate the kitchen well and thoroughly wash all surfaces where the toxic agent could get in.
Fumigator plates contain special preparations that have a detrimental effect on both adult moths and larvae. When the fumigator is turned on, the plates heat up and evaporate the toxic substance.
Solid preparations in the form of crystals or balls that act on the same principle as a fumigator.

They come in several types:

Traps are sticky tapes that have a specific smell that attracts insects.
Tablets or plates that repel adults with their smell.

Review of the best moth repellents

Aerosol "Raptor" acts on both adults and larvae and has a long-lasting effect. Can be sprayed on any surface. The downside is the pungent, acrid smell. Price about 300 rubles.
Aerosol against crawling and flying insects “Raid” also has an unpleasant odor and is effective for 6 months. Price – 270-300 rubles.
Spray "Mosquitall" - the same mode of action as other products. Price – approximately 150 rubles.
Liquid for fumigator "Mosquitall". Designed for 60 days. Price – 150 rubles.
Raptor moth sections, one of the most effective products in this segment, act on moths from the moment they appear. Price – 100 rubles.
Aeroxon food moth traps containing pheromones that attract male moths, which stick to the surface when they land. Price – about 280 rubles.
The Raptor trap, like the previous product, does not have a strong odor, so it is recommended for use in small enclosed spaces. Price – 200 rubles.
Antimol tablets with lavender scent. Does not pose a danger to humans. Several pieces are placed in fabric bags and laid out on grocery shelves. Price – 17 rubles per piece.
Balls against moths "Taiga". Herbal medicine with natural oils is safe for health. Price – 22 rubles.

Folk remedies

Opponents of using chemicals in a house or apartment can try to get rid of moths using traditional methods: garlic, herbs, spices.

Moths are afraid of strong odors, which scare them away. It is this property that can be used when fighting pests. Some plants and spices have this smell:

Garlic: Peel a few cloves and place in areas where moths live. It does not affect the smell and taste of products.
the bay leaf around the perimeter in the cabinets where cereals and other “groceries” are stored.
Cloves, rosemary, allspice and other spices with a pungent odor should be placed in containers where cereals are stored.
Place herbs such as rosemary, lavender, basil, wild rosemary in fabric bags and place them in storage areas for bulk products. You can also use cotton swabs soaked in essential oils of herbs; they have the same effect.
Fresh nut leaves. In the warm season, you can use the green leaves of the walnut tree, which have a very specific smell, as an insect repellent.
Tobacco is one of the effective means of combating adult individuals.
Vinegar is indispensable when treating kitchen furniture after contaminated food has been thrown away. Helps avoid re-infection with parasites.
Orange and lemon peels are the easiest and most affordable way. You can lay out fresh peels or dried ones.

Cleaning the premises

Experts recommend not limiting yourself to washing kitchen cabinets and shelves, but carrying out a general cleaning of the entire room after a complete audit of food supplies.

All furniture, floors and walls should be thoroughly washed with a solution of laundry soap, and then wiped with vinegar diluted with water. The gaps between kitchen furniture and walls need to be vacuumed, as well as the spaces between cabinets and cabinets.

Adults can hide under the windowsill, on the ceiling or on the wallpaper. Therefore, it makes sense to use chemical pest control agents after eliminating spoiled products and general cleaning of the premises.

Prevention

There is no better way to combat moths than prevention:

To avoid the appearance of this insect in the kitchen, you need to be very careful , often and scrupulously checking your supplies of bulk products.
It is advisable to inspect cereals for signs of insects, their larvae or eggs while still in the store.
purchased at very low promotional prices must be especially carefully inspected
Products from the store migrated to the apartment, it is advisable to pour them out of plastic, cellophane and paper bags. The best way to store cereals is in jars, containers or other containers that close tightly. Even if you bring an infected product from the store and pour it into such a container, the larvae that appear there will not be able to get out and infect the rest of the food supply.
Another very simple but effective rule is to fry food in a frying pan or oven before storing it.
You can put garlic cloves or bags of spices in containers with cereals to protect them from potential pests.
It is not advisable to store bulk products in large quantities in an apartment for a long time, as this can cause them to become infected with moths.
It is necessary to ventilate the room often - the pest is afraid of drafts.

Precautionary measures

There is only one way to avoid a debilitating war with food moths - not to let the pest into the house. In addition, complete destruction of the parasite does not guarantee that food moth eggs will not appear in the apartment again. To prevent this from happening, you need to take preventive measures by following six rules.

Examination. Carefully check the groceries when purchasing, periodically review your supplies in the future, and if necessary, dry them in the oven at low temperature.
Sealed containers. Store grains and cereals in glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
Low temperature. The larvae cannot tolerate low temperatures, so keep your groceries in the refrigerator.
Ventilation. Don't forget to ventilate the kitchen.
Safety nets. Place ventilation nets on the windows.
Maintaining cleanliness. At least once a month, do a thorough cleaning of your apartment. This will help prevent the proliferation of parasites in time.

Do not purchase cereals by weight or in unsealed packaging. And if you have already bought it, then put the bag of grain in the freezer for a few days. The pest will no longer be able to reproduce.

Moths can appear in both a country house and an apartment. If you follow the described recommendations, then you will not have problems with how to remove food moths. In the future, do not forget about preventive measures and timely cleaning of the kitchen.