Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

The best ways to get rid of pantry moths

Get a pest-free kitchen. - by Livia Gamble
  • 26 Apr 2021
The best ways to get rid of pantry moths

While there are many insects that are frequent pantry inhabitants including cockroaches and weevils, there may not be one quite as 'secretive' as pantry moths.

Indian meal moths are the most common type to be found to be lurking in your cupboard, especially during the warmer months, and even with an organised pantry, they're hard to spot.

"They're very secretive as adult moths and you don't see them flying around very much at all," Ted Edwards, honorary fellow with CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection, told ABC Radio Canberra.

Despite their stealth nature, there are some common signs they have moved into your space. These include webbing, which can be found on packets or on the surface of food. Additionally, keep an eye out for maggot-like larvae (also known as weevils) in your flour, rice or muesli.

Pantry shelves
Getty

What is the pantry moth life cycle?

Adult pantry moths are 8 to 10mm in length, while its mature larvae are usually about 17mm long. According to the AEPMA, the life cycle of the Indian meal moth may take 30 to 300 days.

“Female moths lay between 60 and 400 eggs on a food surface, which are ordinarily smaller than 0.5mm and not sticky. The eggs hatch in 2 to 14 days. The larval stage lasts from 2 to 41 weeks, depending on the temperature.

"The larvae are able to penetrate even well sealed packaging… After 5 to 6 moults, larvae will climb to wall/ceiling intersections where only a small proportion of them will pupate immediately, the rest entering a resting phase (diapause), which allows the extended emergence period.”

Where do pantry moths come from? 

Worryingly, Dr Edwards says a lot of the time moths make their way into homes from the supermarket.

"These moths lay minute eggs in tiny cracks and holes in the plastic packing," Dr Edwards said.

Woman reaching up to pantry shelf
Getty

How to get rid of pantry moths naturally

Fortunately, getting rid of pantry moths isn’t difficult. Best of all, you don’t need to use harsh chemicals.

Wondering how to get rid of pantry moths forever? Here are several tried and true home remedies for pantry moths.

1. Essential oils for pantry moths

What you’ll need:

Spray bottle

Water

White vinegar

Eucalyptus, peppermint and cedarwood essential oils

Method:

To make a repellent, mix equal parts water and vinegar in your spray bottle. Add about 15 drops of eucalyptus, 5 drops of peppermint and 10 of cedarwood essential oil.

Simply spray the solution on surfaces and wipe down with a cloth.

woman cleaning pantry
Getty

2. Freezing

If you have found yourself victim to pantry moths, depose of all of the affected food and wipe out all the shelves, making sure to clean the kitchen thoroughly, getting any holes in the shelving.

"If you're concerned about a package that's come in from the supermarket or a package that you've got in the pantry, freeze it for a couple of weeks to kill the larvae and eggs," says Dr Edwards.

3. Airtight containers

As a further preventative measure, transfer all dry foods into airtight containers, preferably with screw-top lids. 

4. Pantry moth traps

According to AEPMA, non-toxic traps prevent the development of adult moths and precipitate their destruction.

“One type of trap is a triangular box with a lure inside and sticky walls. These traps are generally known as pheromone traps. In this case male moths are attracted inside by the female pheromone (the lure) and then get stuck against the sticky walls inside of the box.”

Are pantry moths harmful?

It may not sound appetising, but don’t panic if you accidentally eat weevils. Pantry months are harmless and are not known to spread disease, parasites or pathogens.

  • Better Life
  • Hacks
  • Cleaning

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to prevent and remove moths in your clothes

How to prevent and remove moths in your clothes

Keep your outdoor entertaining bug free

Keep your outdoor entertaining bug free

How to make a bug hotel and attract beneficial insects to your garden

How to make a bug hotel and attract beneficial insects to your garden

The trick to finding a single mosquito

The trick to finding a single mosquito

{headline}

{headline}

How to get rid of moths

How to get rid of moths

5 eco-friendly pest control solutions

5 eco-friendly pest control solutions

How to grow a Venus flytrap

How to grow a Venus flytrap

{headline}

{headline}

Everything you need to know about Christmas beetles

Everything you need to know about Christmas beetles

Garden plants that battle the bugs

Garden plants that battle the bugs

Amazing home: Mystery Bay

Amazing home: Mystery Bay

How to use technology to make your home safer in winter

How to use technology to make your home safer in winter

All about basset hounds

All about basset hounds

A new study found that 1 in 2 Aussies experience FOMO when they get sick

A new study found that 1 in 2 Aussies experience FOMO when they get sick

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription