Have you noticed small brown moths flying around your kitchen cupboards or places where you keep food? When I first found brown moths and squishy things in our food, I didn’t know what they were. Turns out they are cupboard moths and they won’t be confined to your cupboard.
It took me weeks to deal with our infestation, but once I learned the proper steps to get rid of moths, I kept them out of our home for decades. Well, read about mine natural pest control methodsthen roll up your sleeves because it’s not easy but it is it is effective.
What are cupboard moths?
Meal moths are also known as “Indian meal moths”. They are small gray, brown or brown flying pests. You may notice them in your food or find them forming sticky, silky brown cocoons in nooks and crannies. The good news is that cupboard moths do not bite or carry disease, even when they breed or lay eggs in your food. (Yes, they’re gross like that.)
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How do moths get into your home?
Most of the time, pantry moths go home with us from the grocery store where they are already inside the dry food package. Our insult came home in a large bag of rice that I bought at the warehouse club.
But dry goods aren’t the only danger: sometimes, they’ll build a cocoon in jars just under the edge of the lid or under loose labels. They can even fly into your home through gaps in window screens or open doors.
How to get rid of cupboard moths naturally
Step 1: Freeze your dry goods and grains.
Flour, bulk grains, sugar, candy, and pet food are all dry products that attract household pests. It is a common site for moths to lay eggs, as they can chew through paper and plastic in search of shelter and food.
If you find moth larvae or eggs in your dry goods, decide if you are comfortable eating them. If so, refrigerate the food for 3 days and transfer it to an airtight container. Otherwise, throw it away.
Step 2: Clean your closet thoroughly, including the hidden spots.
To get rid of moths, you must clean out your cupboard. As you work, don’t forget to clean not only the tops of the shelves, but also the undersides of the shelves, any board or bracket they rest on, and the holes for the shelf brackets.
- Empty your closet, right down to the bare walls.
- Vacuum from top to bottom to get rid of hidden eggs and larvae.
- Clean the shelves with equal parts warm water and white vinegar plus a dash of peppermint oil.
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Bay leaves help repel moths because their strong aroma masks the smell of food. Try keeping an open bowl of fresh or dried bay leaves in your pantry and replace them when you can’t smell them at all.
Step 3: Repackage your dry goods.
Before restocking your pantry, transfer all your dry goods into airtight containers. The type of container is not important as long as it is airtight. Wipe down your containers with this mixture of vinegar and hot water. This will help you avoid reloading your shelves with things that still have eggs or larvae on the outside that will cause re-infestation.
Step 4: Look for gaps and seal them.
Look around your kitchen and nearby rooms for signs of wardrobe moths or their cocoons in cracks or gaps. If you find gaps, seal them. I use paintable latex caulk on trim and cabinets, and silicone caulk around sinks or surfaces that are likely to get wet.
- Behind cupboards and cupboards
- Behind loose lining or at joints
- The space above the cupboards
- Where the wall and ceiling meet
- Behind spice jars on shelf
Step 5: Inspect nearby rooms for larvae.
The closet moth can spread throughout your home. Inspect the adjacent rooms in your kitchen for any signs. Use a flashlight under cabinets and closets.
- Clean up what you find: If found, vacuum the area thoroughly and wipe everything nearby with equal parts vinegar and hot water. (Avoid using vinegar on natural stone surfaces or anything that cannot be washed.)
- Inspect daily: After cleaning and inspection, overlooked eggs may hatch into small moths. Stay tuned for the next week or two.
Step 6: Use moth traps to catch the rest
Some people have had great luck using pheromone traps with attractants and sticky surfaces to lure them out. Old fashioned fly strips and bugs also work but take longer as they have no attractants. All available on Amazon.
2 steps that prevent the return of cupboard moths
Now, I know it’s a lot of work, but once you’ve got your pantry moth infestation under control, you just have to do two things when you get home from the store.
- Freeze new dry produce in its container for 2-3 days before transferring to airtight storage.
- Wipe down new containers and jars with this vinegar solution before placing them on the shelves.
Doing these two things after every trip to the grocery store has kept my house naturally free of pantry moths for years. I’m sure they will help you too.
