Moths

We often use the phrase “attracted like a moth to a flame” but the reality is that moths are attracted to many things, including your clothing and pantry. Moths can be quite destructive insects, especially in their larva and caterpillar stages. Moth larvae are known for eating holes in fabric and caterpillars often cause extensive damage to crops and forests throughout the world.

When moths invade your home, they are likely to be found in your kitchen or pantry as well as in closets or other places in which you store clothing. In fact, you can bring moths into your home from the grocery store without even knowing it. They can be found in boxes of food and even sealed plastic bags. Before they reach their full grown size, moths are so small that you might not even notice their presence before it is too late.

How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

The most common place to find moths is in your pantry. Look for webbing in corners and tiny holes in food containers. You will sometimes find that part of your food is stuck together with some sort of sticky material or you might notice an odd odor. These are all signs that you have moths in your pantry and in your food. You can also sometimes see the larvae themselves or see moths flying around your kitchen. Unfortunately, it can take six to eight weeks for these moths to complete their life cycle so getting rid of them can be an ongoing struggle. It is also frustrating to deal with because you have to limit the amount of pesticides you use in the kitchen; you can’t exactly spray pesticides into your box of Cheerios, right? So here’s how to do it:

1. Identify all of the places where the moths are present.
2. Clean these areas exceptionally well.
3. Remove all items from the areas.
4. Clean the Area thoroughly:
• Vacuum every surface, walls, shelves, cabinets, carpet, etc.
• Scrub hard surfaces with a mixture of hot water and detergent. Scrub every inch because moth larva can attach themselves in even the tiniest of spaces. If the shelving is removable, pull it out and clean the edges and walls around it. Clean every surface that comes into contact with food, including your spice rack.
• Follow up the scrubbing with a vinegar rinse. Either put some white vinegar into a spray bottle, coat and wipe, or apply it directly to a cloth and wipe everything down.
5. The moths are likely originating from one or more of the food items previously stored in this area. Throw away every grain based food item – even if it appears to be sealed well. Also dispose of nuts, raisins, flour, and tea. I know it’s hard throwing out all that food, but the alternative is not only reinfestation, but the possibility of eating moth larva… yummmmm.
6. Any remaining food containers and items should be thoroughly cleaned with the same detergent/water solution and vinegar rinse before returning to the freshly scrubbed area. A single egg or caterpillar left hanging onto something can start this whole thing all over again so be thorough.
7. Kill any moths left flying around in the air. You can do this with a fly swatter, or use moth traps. There are many commercial moth traps available, check your local home improvement store.

Preventing Pantry Moth Re-infestation

Once your initial infestation is gone, take steps to prevent pantry moths from coming back. If you bring any grain based products into the house, immediately put them in the freezer for four days before putting them away in your pantry. This will kill any eggs or larvae that are already inside. Store your moth-yummies in air-tight containers which are made of hard plastic, glass or metal – no plastic bags. The best way to determine whether a container is really air-tight is to fill it up with water and see if it leaks. If you have frequent moth problems, consider storing all of your grain based products in the freezer instead of the pantry.

Moths in Your Clothing

If you find moths in your clothing, the approach is very similar; interrupt their life cycle by killing the eggs and larvae. All clothes that are possibly infested should be dry cleaned or washed. After you have done that, place the clothes in the freezer; smaller items can be placed in large Ziploc bags and frozen for two or three days. Take them out to thaw and then shake them vigorously to remove any dead larva.

Next, clean wherever the clothing was stored. Preferably, use a bleach solution and clean it thoroughly taking care to get into every single nook and cranny. If it’s a closet, remove the shelves and rods. If it’s a dresser, remove the drawers and clean the underside and interior surfaces – moth eggs and larva can hide in even the cracks.

Moth Repellants

Now that you have gotten rid of the moth infestation, the final step is to prevent them from coming back. Here are some ways to deter moths from making your home their home:

• Store clothes in a cedar chest, or add some cedar chips. Moths don’t like cedar chips, blocks or oil.
• Keep your house clean. Avoid any standing water.
• Try placing peppermint gum in your pantry. Simply unwrap the gum and set it on the wrapper on the shelf.
• Place bay leaves in your cabinets. You can also place them in bags of flour or tape them inside boxes of cereal.
• Peppercorns or cloves might also keep moths away.
• Place a Tonka bean, available at most herbal stores, in a small cotton bag to repel the moths.
• Use lavender sachets or soak cotton balls with lavender oil and place them where you previously found moths.
• If you work with dried flowers, freeze them for a day before allowing them in your home.
• Empty vacuum cleaner bags frequently. They can contain moths, which can eat right through the bags.
• If your house has any nearby bird or rodent nests which are empty, destroy them. Moths are attracted to these empty nests.

Two other commonly used ways to get rid of moths are mothballs and insect foggers. Mothballs not only smell bad, but they are poisonous. It is best to avoid the use of them whenever possible, especially if you have children or pets. You can try using an insect fogger to kill moths, but many moths are resistant to the spray and it also poses a health threat to all the other occupants of your home.

Moths are persistent creatures and you might have to treat your home several times before you have completely gotten rid of them. If you live in an area prone to moths, follow these preventative measures year-round to keep your home moth-free. If you have any additional experience or tips to share, please add them here using the form at the bottom of the page.

Offsite Resources

• The University of Kentucky Entomology Dept: Clothes Moths
• Ohio State University: Moth Factsheet
• Images of North American Moth Species