They may not look like much, but the pantry moth can be a huge problem. These tiny nuisance pests infest people's food but often go overlooked because they are challenging to detect. They feed on various goods, including flour, sugar, grains, dried fruits, pet food, and sweets. What's worse, they often lay their eggs on said food so that their larvae can thrive.
A pantry moth infestation is annoying and can often mean you're eating their larvae. If the idea puts you off, don't worry – our experts at Prewett Pest Control & Termite are here to help. Our team has put together this handy guide to pantry moths, where we'll outline everything you need to know about where these pests come from and what to do about them. Read on to discover the key to successful pest control in Mobile.
Is This A Pantry Moth?
Although accurate pantry moth identification can be a challenge due to their elusive nature, it becomes much more manageable once you know what you're looking for. Pantry moths are flying insects, so you know what to expect – six legs, two antennae, a pair of wings, but their tiny size sets them apart. These pests are only about 5/8 an inch long when fully developed. Their wings are rather distinctive, bearing a copper-red coloration with a thick white stripe towards the top half near the head. They can be anywhere food is stored but is also attracted to light sources.
How Do Pantry Moths Find Their Way Into Homes?
Effective pantry pest control begins with prevention, but before you can implement any effective prevention measures, it's first essential to know how these pests end up in people's pantries. Pantry moths often stow away or lay their eggs in dry food goods. The most common way people pick up a pesky pack of pantry moths is by purchasing compromised food at the grocery store. Once they're in your kitchen closet, they can live there and reproduce with ease, enjoying the rich supply of food and shelter your home provides.
Five Effective Pantry Moth Prevention Tips
It can be a challenge to take care of these persistent little pests. A pantry moth killer can be effective, but they'll often bounce back from such efforts. There are, however, more comprehensive methods of pest control. Here are five practical pantry moth prevention tips:
- Clean out your entire pantry
- Store food in airtight containers
- Use alternative storage areas like the freezer
- Inspect dry goods for contamination before purchase
- Use natural repellants
Pantry pest moth traps can help deter these annoying insects alongside the steps above, but there's one last thing you should do if you want to protect yourself from pantry moths.
The Trick To Total Pantry Pest Control
Whether you're currently dealing with a pesky pantry moth infestation or just want to protect yourself from the possibility, the best method is to partner with professionals.
Reach out to our experts at Prewett Pest Control & Termite to schedule your inspection, and let us take care of the rest. Our team of certified pest control technicians can be there as soon as it's convenient for you, equipped with the cutting edge in tools and techniques to eradicate any stubborn pantry moth population, once and for all. You don't have to put up with the constant annoyance of infested food or the nagging suspicion that you've eaten some stray larva.
Prewett Pest Control & Termite is here to help, so don't hesitate – get the fast, effective, and affordable treatment you need.