Emma Miller
Each of us has a stock of tea, cereals, or spices in the kitchen. And it is very unpleasant to suddenly find that there are pests. Moreover, food moths are not only butterflies but also pupae and larvae. Today we will share tips on what remedies are considered the most effective against food moths.
What are food moths and where do they come from
The food moth is a gray moth, whose activity peaks at night. Such a “beast” lives for a maximum of three weeks, but during this period manages to lay many eggs. An adult moth produces larvae when it enters a cereal. It does not eat anything itself – the products are destroyed by new specimens, and rather quickly.
If you find such a neighborhood in groats, then do not worry – it’s not about you. Often food moths appear in the store, and you bring them home from there in bags. The main sign of the presence of moths – are small cobwebs and worms of yellow color.
How you can remove food moths – methods
The first thing to remember is that this creature of God is very fond of moisture and unventilated rooms. That’s why it is important to store cereals properly and immediately from the factory packaging and pour them into glass or tin jars.
Next, it is necessary to carry out an inspection of all products. If you notice even the slightest signs of moths – throw away the package and do not spare. The consumption of cereals, infested by pests, is dangerous to health, even after heat treatment.
In case you do decide to try to reanimate the cereal, dump it on a plate and put it in the microwave for 20 minutes. You can also put it in the freezer for 2-3 hours. This same method is also suitable as a preventive measure for just-bought goods.
Regularly wash lockers with a soapy solution or detergent. Then wipe dry and leave the door open to air it out. It is also advisable to open a window – moths are afraid of the cold.
How to get rid of food moths with folk remedies
For those who are ready to begin the fight against moths with the help of “grandma’s” methods, we recommend the following:
- peppermint in a bag;
- 3 cloves of garlic – a flour option;
- bags of black pepper or allspice;
- spices – bay leaf, oregano, and cloves;
- orange or lemon peels;
- lavender or its fragrance.
Remember that moth larvae are capable of adapting to scents. So, if you put any product in infested cereals, then, growing up, the moths will already be resistant to it. The above methods help to kill only the adult.
Not the best remedies for food moths – a list
Some housewives resort to methods that are completely ineffective. We decided to list them too so that you know what you should not waste time and money on:
- Chewing gum – even menthol contains sugar, so the insect will be happy with the gift, not scared of it;
- boric acid – moths will be its carrier and, even if they die, they will have time to infect other cereals, and getting such a substance in human food is not at all desirable;
- insecticides are useless in the kitchen, they are not particularly effective, and they kill only adults, and only once.
Trying to get rid of moths, eliminate not only the consequence but also the cause. Put mosquito nets on windows and vents, clean your kitchen thoroughly, and don’t leave extra moisture like drips on the sink. What’s more, it’s better to put fruit in the refrigerator, too, so as not to provoke the insect.
