How to overcome moths in kitchen cabinets

Any housewife has in her kitchen a stock of products whose shelf life is not particularly limited in time. These are cereals, flour, dried fruits, etc., which are usually stored in cabinets, that do not require refrigeration. However, they also have a rather serious enemy - food or kitchen moth. If you miss its appearance and do not take emergency measures in time, it will multiply so that it will become difficult to remove the pest.

The harm of the kitchen moth is not only the destruction of supplies. Eggs, larvae and their excrement get into prepared dishes, can cause food poisoning and illness. Identifying affected foods is fairly simple. Firstly, small moths flying out of the kitchen cabinet after opening the doors. They look like an ordinary clothes moth. If you notice them, then pest control should be started immediately.

Secondly, when examining the affected flour or cereal, sticky balls or lumps can be noticed. Larvae have already multiplied and live in them - small white worms that gradually change their color to beige.

Moth eggs are hard to spot because of their small size. They look like particles of flour, but larger. In buckwheat or other cereals with larger fractions of a dark color, they are more noticeable.

Why does mole appear in the kitchen

A fairly common legend that moths in general, and kitchen moths in particular, is started in cabinets by itself or simply “from dampness”, has nothing to do with the truth. At the same time, it doesn’t matter how carefully the housewife cares for the cabinets - they say the condition of the furniture is indifferent, if only it would be a source of constant food. She will be happy to eat the following foods:

  • flour;
  • bread, breadcrumbs, pastries, cookies, pasta;
  • tea;
  • cocoa;
  • dried fruits;
  • nuts
  • cereals.

The main nursery of food moths are food depots. It multiplies rapidly in violation of storage rules and regulations. And already from there, infected products go on sale - due to elementary negligence and lack of proper control.

Attention! Particularly cautious should be bought bulk cereals and pasta, as well as those that are packed in plastic bags directly in stores.

Preferring bulk products and pasta in the factory packaging in the store, you can protect your kitchen from the appearance of food moths. But this is not a complete guarantee of security. Therefore, even such products after opening the package, it is desirable to carefully inspect.

You may not find larvae or eggs, but it is quite possible that there are spools of unknown origin - the remains of silk cocoons of larvae. If they are found, immediately inspect all supplies.

Reference! Sometimes a moth can fly into an open window from neighbors. This is entirely possible, but rarely happens.

How to get rid of larvae and adults

If you find larvae, eggs or adult insects in products, immediately take measures to prevent the reproduction and spread of the pest. First you need to carefully inspect all bulk products in cabinets in order to detect foci of infection, including unpacked groceries - the moth gnaws at the packaging. Having discovered larvae and eggs, destroy the infected products.

If it’s a pity to throw out cereals or flour, you can sort them out and throw away only places with worms, eggs and the remains of cocoons, and calcine the cleaned cereals in the microwave, turning it on for half a minute at maximum power. This is enough to disinfect, and the product will not be affected.

But still I recommend throwing cereals without regret. The savings are not particularly large, and it is extremely unpleasant to realize that you are making porridge from an attacked moth of cereal. In addition, the husband and children can refuse such food.

Dried fruits and pet food cannot be saved. These products are subject to unconditional destruction.

After the elimination of contaminated products, it is necessary to empty all cabinets for processing. Vacuum thoroughly on the inside, removing all shelves first. Pay particular attention to corners. A vacuum cleaner with or without a small nozzle will tighten cocoons, eggs and hidden adults.

The bag from the vacuum cleaner will need to be thrown away, or if it is a pity, at least put in the freezer for a few days - the pests will die. Then follow a few simple steps:

  1. Wipe the furniture inside with vinegar. You can use a solution of laundry soap or one of the special remedies for moths such as "Raptor" or "Antimoli".
  2. Vacuum the ceiling, ceiling plinths, places near the chandelier. Here adults can accumulate.
  3. Set glue traps with pheromones of female moths. They will attract males that stick to the trap tape. Females rarely fall into such traps. They need to be destroyed in the old-fashioned way - a fly swatter or a newspaper rolled up into a pipe.
  4. Place potentially contaminated foods in the freezer and keep them there for three to four days.
  5. Wash all jars and food containers with laundry soap. Ware dishes containing contaminated food, heat for five minutes in the microwave or freeze well for 4 days.

Prevention of the appearance of moths in the kitchen

Having carried out the entire set of measures to combat kitchen moth described above and having achieved success, pay attention to the prevention of this unpleasant pest.

Attention! Do not make too large stocks of groceries. If the moth gets into the kitchen with a couple of packages of cereal, it will be much easier to remove it. Buy cereals and pasta little by little, as needed.

For prevention, you need:

  • use metal, glass jars or thick-walled plastic containers with tight-fitting lids for storing bulk products;
  • store food together with natural repellents: cloves of peeled garlic, dry orange peels or bay leaves;
  • garlic, orange peels and bay leaves can be laid out on shelves by adding sprigs of lavender, pieces of laundry soap or a cotton pad soaked in essential oil, such as cedar.

It is important to understand that such tools will only scare off adult moths, but will not destroy eggs and larvae. Pest management should be comprehensive.

Watch the video: 7 Effective Ways to Get Rid of All Insects at Home (March 2024).

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