The butterflies in the pantry are unwanted guests who can ruin flours, pasta and other dry foods. Recognizing them in time and knowing how to get rid of it is essential to avoid waste and discomfort.
There is nothing more unpleasant than opening a pack of flour or a bag of rice and realizing that you are not the only one to get your eyes on it. Small wings that flutter and thin spider wires between the beans are unequivocal signals of their presence. But how do these insects arrive in your cuisine? And above all, how can they be eliminated without resorting to aggressive chemicals? Often the butterflies already enter together with the products purchased: microscopic eggs that hatch once the right temperature is found and . Once settled, they manage to multiply quickly, making a quick and decisive intervention necessary. There are those who say they have discovered them in a package just open or, worse, in a jar that seemed very closed: common situations that happen to more people than you think.
A bit like a thread that unrolls without end, the infestation starts silent and invisible, until they are suddenly shown. For this reason it is useful to learn to recognize the alarm bells and know which strategies to adopt to get rid of it in a natural and effective way.
Butterflies in the pantry: the signals not to be underestimated
The butterflies of the pantry, also known as the tignole of food, never appear from nothing. There are always small clues that, if observed carefully, allow you to act before the situation worsens. It can happen to notice a couple of Flying close to the belief, but often the signals are more discreet. In pasta or flour parcels you can see small whitish larvae or black dots similar to grains. Even the thin cobwebs among the rice grains or inside the containers are an unequivocal signal. Another clue is the smell: infested foods take on an unpleasant hint, different from the natural one.
An infestation can be compared to a drop that digs the stone: it begins almost imperceptible, but over time it leaves obvious signs. After all, who has never found a forgotten package at the bottom of the sideboard and discovered the surprise? Pay attention to these details is the first step. Often, a few days are enough for a small colony to become a larger problem. None of these alarm bells should not be underestimated.
How to eliminate butterflies effectively
When you notice the presence of the butterflies, it is important to act immediately. Ignoring the problem means giving them time to reproduce and infest other foods.
First, it is better to empty the pantry entirely and check the containers one by one. The already infested foods must be eliminated, even if the displeasure is large: unfortunately there is no sure way of recovering them. After this phase, it is necessary to carefully clean the belief with hot water and vinegar. The latter not only sanitizes, but also leaves an smell unwelcome to insects.
Another fundamental step is to keep pasta, rice, flour and cereals in hermetic glass or hard plastic containers. The paper or thin plastic bags, in fact, do not represent a sufficient barrier. To strengthen the protection, there are those who put bay leaves, cloves or dried orange peels in the pantry: natural perfumes that act as repellents.
Among the most practical and recommended solutions are:
- Hermetic containers: protect food from the entry of new insects.
- Regular cleaning: pass every now and then with water and vinegar prevents new infestations.
- Repellent spices: laurel, cinnamon and carnation help to keep them away.
- Purchasing control: better check the packs already in the supermarket.
- Rotation of stocks: consume the oldest products first and avoid accumulations.
The battle against butterflies is not impossible, but requires constancy. Like a garden that must be treated every day in order not to fill up with weeds, the pantry needs continuous attention.
Tips to prevent their return
Eliminating butterflies is only half of the work: the real secret is to prevent them from returning. A clean and well organized environment greatly reduces the risk of new infestations.
It may seem trivial, but checking the jars periodically and not accumulating too many unused products is already an excellent start. Even small gestures, such as keeping the pantry dry and well ventilated, make the difference. Insects prefer humid and dark environments: reducing these conditions means disadvantage their reproduction.
Another useful trick is not to leave crumbs or residues on the shelves, because they attract insects. In addition, some advise to temporarily put the freshly purchased packages of flour or cereals in the freezer: 48 hours are enough to neutralize any eggs already present.
Thinking about the pantry as a small ecosystem can help understand its balance: if it remains ordered, clean and well controlled, insects will have little possibilities to settle.
And, let’s face it, nobody wants to find himself again fighting with food butterflies.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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