How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths
A pantry is a place where food packages, cooked food or cutlery are stored. It is a necessary part of a house or commercial place such as a hotel or restaurant. But, the pantries often get attacked by unwanted flying and crawling creatures known as moths. These pests feed on grains, cereals, flour, nuts, and other food products. They contaminate the food and also cause health problems. People book a pest control service every year to keep these pests at bay. The moths keep coming back to the property when prevention methods are not considered. So, here is your guide that could help you in preventing the pantry moths:
Keep a Check on Your Pantry
It is important to check the pantry regularly. Sometimes, products with expired dates are left in the pantry. They attract moths and also pose threat to humans. It is better to throw them. Also, the food packages must be checked. Chew marks or holes on the packets indicate moth infestation. The larvae and eggs of the pantry moths can also be found in the food. Before using the raw material for cooking or serving the food to clients, it is imperative to ensure that moths have not laid eggs in the pantry.
If you find moths in the pantry, simply call the moth control experts. They use odour free and hypoallergenic pesticides to eliminate the moths from a place. They make sure that minimum damage is caused to other food items or property.
Focus on Storage Methods
If you have noticed larvae of moths in the flour earlier, then you should become cautious about the storage method. Instead of keeping the nuts, oats, and baking powders in the pantry, keep them in a freezer. At freezing temperature, the larvae die and your food is saved.
Also, you could store the food in air-tight containers. You can transfer the food from plastic packets to mason jars. If a larva is present inside the food packet, it would lay eggs in the air-tight jar. The area would be confined. It would be easy to exterminate the moths.
Moth-Repellent Odours
There are some scents that repel moths. You can use mint, cedar, bay leaves and lavender to keep the moths away. You can keep these products in sachets and hang them at different places in the pantry. Make it a point to replace them after every few days.
Seal the Entry Points
The cracks and holes in the windows and doors also attract moths. These pests get attracted to artificial lighting. The light in your pantry becomes visible to moths through those small holes and cracks. It is crucial to seal all the spots that might work as access points for the moths.
Use Plastic Shelf Liners
Shelf liners protect the shelves from damage and dirt. Some people make a mistake by using paper-based shelf liners because moths might lay eggs on paper. Moreover, you need to discard the paper shelf liners very soon because of moths. By using plastic liners, you get a benefit. You can clean them with water and use them again.
Call Professionals
If you feel that you can’t prevent the moths from entering the pantry, contact the experts. They would use advanced methods to eradicate them. They also have insect growth regulators that can be beneficial in the quick removal of moths.
Conclusion
Pantry moths spoil massive inventories of groceries and foods every year. The tips given above are useful in keeping the moths at a distance from food warehouses and kitchens. These prevention measures along with professional services can provide you long-lasting relief from a serious problem like moth infestation.