Ever heard of pantry moths? Some of you might have encountered them in your kitchen or your office pantry. For those who are not familiar with what they are, let me walk you through it. Just like an infestation of any other bugs, they have the tendency of infesting your kitchen. There are various causes leading to their infestations. However, fret not as there are ways to prevent them from turning into a pest. Therefore, do not panic and read on. In this article, we will be discussing how to identify their presence and what are the 7 ways to prevent them from turning into a pest.
Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
What Are Pantry Moths?
Pantry moths are known as Indian meal moths or flour moths. This is because they were observed to breed and feed on materials such as flour, cereals, and nuts. They are commonly found in households, especially in areas where dry food is stored.
Homeowners may sometimes notice webbing on the packaging, clumping within flour, or even larvae moving around the dry goods. This helps identify the infestation of this pest in the house. But typically, if you are not one to check thoroughly you will only be able to notice them at their adult stage when they begin flying around.
What Causes Them To Over Welcome Their Stay?
First of all, you need to know that pantry moth are fast at reproducing. They are highly likely to be on a reproduction mission where they would need abundant food supplies to lay their eggs in their “safe haven”. If you have seen one flying around, chances are high that there are many others hiding in your cabinets or may be breeding in your dry stock. Moths don’t grow into thin air.
Unintentionally, we bring them home with groceries- this is why it is very important to wash green stock before transferring it into the fridge. Air, moisture, sunlight & food to feed-on, all together create a favorable environment for pantry moths to grow and reproduce to infinite limits.
Keeping Pantry Moths Away
So, you must be wondering, how do one tackle such an infestation problem. Instead of turning to pest control, there are ways to avoid these pantry moths from invading your home.
For starters, start by cleaning every corner of your kitchen and cabinet. Then, store your staples into airtight containers as they would help lock out the pests. Organizing your pantry with Tupperware containers will definitely be helpful as Tupperware containers are best known for their good quality of being airtight.
1. Avoid Buying in Bulk
Buying in bulk helps save money but only when it is consumed before turning bad. If you have a smaller family, buying in bulk won’t be a practical idea. Instead, you will have food canisters you rarely confront. Having food containers that stay untouched are the key to a breeding ground of kitchen pests.
2. Take Good Use of Your Airtight Tupperware Containers
Preserve your dry staples (flour, grains, lentils & cereals) into airtight Tupperware containers. Tupperware canisters are available in different volumes deep enough to hold larger quantities of flour and cereals and handy enough to conserve smaller quantities such as spices. It is important to refrigerate dry staples for 2 weeks in Tupperware containers before you arrange them in your pantry. Refrigerating dry stock will cease the reproduction of moths that have yet not hatched from the eggs.
3. Transfer Open Dry Goods To Your Tupperware Containers
Flour and grains are highly advisable to be taken out from their original packaging. Transferring your dry goods into airtight Tupperware containers will keep them away from kitchen intruders. Having opened packets of lentils, flour(s) and cereals are tempting invitations to moths, which could lead to severe infestation.
4. Cleaning Your Kitchen To Prevent Pantry Moths From Time to Time
Although you might have cleaned your kitchen when you have encountered the infestation, it is advisable to clean it again from time to time. There are times when the storing of dry goods could be overlooked and you may have forgotten about it after a busy day.
You may want to look into some of these practices and add them to your cleaning routine. Wash your cabinets with hot soapy water and give a final rinse of warm water and vinegar to kill off larvae and eggs. Placing peppermint materials can also help fight against the invasion of pantry moths.
5. Usage of Baking Soda & Bay Leaves Are Highly Recommended
Keep baking soda in the fridge to prevent foul smell. Some fruits and vegetables produce gases that rot any other raw(s) stored in the vicinity. Baking soda help fight against the smells produced by the preserved. On the other hand, bay leaves help keep the moths at bay thus keeping few in your cabinets and in your Tupperware containers will prevent them from making a home.
6. Empty Out Your Trash Cans
After you are done, carefully clear off the trash in your kitchen bins. If left unattended, insects from the trash can find their way again to the pantry and cabinets. Wash your trash cans thoroughly and air them dry, before placing them in the kitchen again.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing that could beat Tupperware containers in terms of how handy and convenient they are. With many users testifying of their good quality and long-lasting record, not only do they help keep food fresh but they help keep your kitchen looking fresh as well with their aesthetic features.
Organizing your fridge, cabinets & kitchen becomes effortlessly interesting provided you have appropriate containers. Tupperware containers could be a bit more pricey than glass counterparts but they are sturdy & breakproof. Known for their lifetime warranty, that is definitely a plus for Tupperware containers too! Extend the shelf life of your dry food items by storing them in Tupperware containers whilst preventing an infestation of pests to happen.
Best Tupperware To Keep Pantry Moths Away
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