Moths appear harmless at first glance, but they spread quickly and contaminate food products. So how to effectively get rid of these uninvited guests and prevent their return? Home remedies can be helpful in solving the problem, but you should also not forget to keep the kitchen clean and tidy. Learn how to make your own moth trap and what steps to take to avoid future returns of the insects.

How to get rid of food moths once and for all?

Food moths are small insects that can make life very difficult. They feed on loose food products such as grits, pasta, flour and sugar (they are also found in packages and containers of seeds, nuts, dried fruit and even dry pet food).

Most often we bring them home ourselves with shopping, but they can also fly in through ventilation or a neighbor’s window. Anyone who has had a problem with food moths knows well that they like to come back. How to get rid of them once and for all? It pays to take the following steps.

  • Start by checking your products – first empty all the cabinets and go through the dry goods. It is worth knowing that they can also get into closed packages. Dispose of all damaged products immediately (directly to the outer bin). If you are not sure whether the food is really free of moths, you can put the bulk food in the freezer for a few days. They can also be heated in the oven at 100°C for a few minutes. Both high and low temperatures kill moth larvae and eggs.
  • Thoroughly clean all cabinets – When the cabinets are empty, wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water. To see hard-to-reach places, reach for a vacuum cleaner.
  • Disinfect the cabinets – wipe them with hot water and vinegar in a ratio of 1:1 (the specific smell should disappear within half an hour). Pay special attention to cracks and crevices, which can be ideal places for moths to hide.
  • Proper storage – all opened products should be stored in tightly closed hard plastic or glass containers. This solution will not only save you space in the cupboard, but also reduce the probability that moths will get into our food.

DIY post na mole

The presence of food moths can be monitored using a DIY trap. It enables early detection of problems and the adoption of appropriate measures. To achieve this, you need to stock up on fly swatters and fish oil (you can use liquid cod liver oil or canned fish oil).

  • Cut a piece of suitable size, then apply a thin layer of fish oil to its surface and stick the trap in the chosen place (for example, on the door or inside wall of the cabinet). The smell of the trap will attract food moths, which will stick to it and will no longer be able to move.

How to repel moths in the kitchen? They can’t stand the smells.

Certain odors have a deterrent effect on food moths. They especially hate the smell of vinegar and essential oils (e.g. eucalyptus or tea tree). They also dislike lavender, mint, cloves, bay leaf, vanilla, anise, cedar, tobacco and citrus peel.

  • To prevent food moths, you can wipe the inside of the cabinets with a solution of water and vinegar or essential oils.
  • You can also spread bay leaves, cloves, dried lavender or mint.
  • In addition, you can put some tobacco or a piece of cedar in the bag and place it in kitchen cupboards exposed to moths.

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