How to get rid of food moths? As soon as you notice unpleasant pests, you need to act quickly. Fortunately, there are natural ways to regain control of your kitchen without the use of chemicals. Want to know how? Here are some proven tips.

Food moths are one of the most annoying uninvited guests in the kitchen. Small insects, which most often appear in flour, grits or nuts, can effectively destroy food supplies. Their presence does not mean only the loss of food, but also the need to thoroughly clean the cupboards.

Appropriate actions allow you to get rid of the problem quickly and efficiently. Is however important to understand where they come from and how to protect yourself from their “visit”.

What do food moths look like? They are easily recognizable

Adult food moths are small, brown-gray butterflieswhich can usually be seen flying near the light in the evening. Theirs the larvae are cream-colored and reach a length of several millimeters. They are most often found in the packaging of food products such as flour, semolina or dried fruit.

The presence of pests can be recognized by signs such as cobwebs or lumps in food products or damaged and perforated packaging. They hide in hard-to-reach places, e.g. in the crevices of the cabinets, so before starting the fight, it is worthwhile to carefully examine the entire kitchen to find the place from which they are spreading.

How to get rid of food moths? Home remedies are reliable

Getting rid of food moths requires consistency and the use of several proven methods.

  • Start by taking a good look at your inventory – throw away all products with signs of moths immediately.
  • Then start cleaning the cabinets. Mix vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2 and thoroughly clean all surfaces, while paying particular attention to hard-to-reach corners where moth eggs can be found.
  • The next step can be a pest trap. To prepare it, you will need a piece of cardboard and a few spoons of thick, sweet syrup or honey.
  • Lubricate the selected surface liberally with the sweet substance – its aroma attracts moths that cannot resist the temptation.
  • Place the cardboard in a place where you most often notice pests, such as on a shelf in a cabinet or near a garbage bag. Once moths sit on a sticky surface, they will not be able to get off it.

What repels moths best? This will prevent pest invasions

Once your kitchen is free of pests, it’s time to make sure they never come back. This is where they come in natural repellants. They are creatures that are particularly averse to strong odors – the stronger they are, the more willing they are to stay away. Which ones work best?

  • Dried lavender. It is enough to place cloth bags with flowers in the cabinets and moths will not settle in them.
  • Bay leaves. A few leaves added to containers of flour or grits will effectively deter pests.
  • Cloves. Their intense scent acts as a natural repellent.
  • Essential oils, e.g. lavender, mint or lemon. Just soak cotton pads with a few drops and place them in the cupboards or add a little to the water when washing. Thanks to this, the kitchen acquires a pleasant aroma, which effectively discourages moths from settling in this place.

How to get rid of fruit flies in your home? A glass of this decoction is enough. None will last