Moths are pests that destroy your clothes and your plants. These creatures like living inside your closet, kitchen, bathroom and just about anywhere inside your house. Getting rid of moths must be one of your priorities, especially if there are larvae and caterpillars around. Moth larvae create holes in your clothing, while caterpillars destroy forests and crops.

If you came from the grocery store, you might bring moths with you from the shop without your knowledge. The grocery store is a place full of fabrics and food. It is no surprise that sometimes, you find moths even in sealed plastic bags and food boxes.

It's in your pantry where moths are easiest to find. If your food containers have tiny holes in them, then there are most probably moths thriving in them. You will notice that your food smells different and is stuck together by a sticky substance. If you don't see the moths flying around the pantry, then they may still be at their larvae stage, waiting to grow.

While you always have your handy pesticide to kill moths, you know you can't spray your bottle directly onto your cookies. You have to learn the proper ways of getting rid of these pests and here is a short list for you:

House Cleaning in a Few Simple Steps

You need to find out where the moths are inside your house. Are they in the kitchen, in your closet, or in your shoe rack? If you found where they live, clean the area immediately. When we say “clean,” we mean the spic and span kind of clean.

• Tidy up. Before you start cleaning the areas where moths are present, make sure you remove all the clothes in your closet, the food boxes, kitchen utensils and the products in your kitchen. Remove the shoes in your shoe rack.

• Vacuum and wash. Clean the area as best you can by vacuuming all surfaces. Vacuum your carpets, cabinets, shelves and walls. Hard surfaces must be dealt with using a scrub and a mixture of detergent and hot water. Scrubbing is an important part of the whole cleaning process because this way, you scratch the larva off the walls, cabinets and other surfaces. After scrubbing, rinse the surfaces with vinegar (For other uses of vinegar, read 25 other uses for vinegar). You can spray or wipe the surfaces with it. Some shelves can be removed. Take some time to pull them out and scrub the walls and edges. Whatever surface that comes in contact with food must be cleaned thoroughly.
• Throw it out! Any food item infested by moths should be thrown away, especially grain-based food groups, which are a favorite of moths. In the mean time, say goodbye to your tea, flour, raisins and nuts, even if these are sealed properly. You don't want to eat moth larva, do you?

• Be thorough. It helps a lot to be thorough in cleaning surfaces and walls because a single larva can make your cleaning efforts go back to zero. Clean your food containers with vinegar or detergent solution.
• Trap the moths. If you see moths flying, kill them with a fly swatter. Using a moth trap will also make your job easier. Local home improvement shops offer products that help you get rid of moths. If you do not have time to shop, you can purchase products online.

Dealing with Moths in Your Pantry

Moths come and go. What you need to do after your initial infestation is to prevent the moths from getting inside your food containers and in the whole kitchen.

You can buy your grain-based food items again, but be more meticulous in storing them. After taking them out of your grocery bag, put them in the freezer immediately and let the items stay there for four days. The temperature will kill any larvae and eggs that are present in the bags.

Always store your grain-based food items in air-tight containers. The best air-tight containers are those made of metal, glass or hard plastic. To identify an air-tight container, fill the container with water and watch for leaks. If the container is leak-free, it's air-tight. Do not use plastic bags. If the problem persists, then keep your grain-based food items in the freezer all the time.

Dealing with Moths in Your Clothing

Dealing with moths in your pantry is the same as dealing with them in your clothing. You will have to kill all larvae and eggs. If you think a shirt or a pair of pants is infested, then wash it. After washing and drying the infested piece of clothing, put it in the freezer. If you are freezing small items like socks and handkerchiefs, put them all in a ziplock bad and inside a freezer for as long as two to three days. After this, take them out for thawing. Remove dead eggs and larva by shaking the items.

The area where you store your infested clothes should be cleaned, too. Remove all drawers from your dresser and the rods and shelves from your closet for thorough cleaning. Clean the area thoroughly using a bleach solution. Make sure that you clean every edge, corner, nook and cranny. Cracks appeal to eggs, so don't complete your cleaning without passing through these areas.

So Far, So Good

Cleaning your pantry and closet isn't as difficult as it sounds. As long as you are determined to get rid of these pests to protect your family's health, these are very manageable tasks.

If you have no time to follow the thorough cleaning tips mentioned above, you can always use insect-foggers and mothballs. If you want to use these materials, be ready for the odd odor. Insect foggers and mothballs are also poisonous, so it's best to get rid of these pests with your own efforts. After all, it is your family's life and yours you are protecting.