How to remove moths from kitchen cabinets. Food moths in foods: how to get rid of them? Do food moths eat clothes? Harm from food moths

Ecology of everyday life: Kitchen moths multiply very quickly, and getting rid of them is not very easy, but with the right approach, it is quite possible.

Kitchen moths multiply very quickly, and getting rid of them is not very easy, but with the right approach, it is quite possible.

Moths lay eggs in almost any dry food (tea, nuts, cereals, dried fruits and many others) that they can penetrate. Soon the larvae of food moths appear, which spoil the food, not only by gnawing holes in it, but also with their excrement, as well as the skins left behind after degeneration into adult insects. It is clear that it is no longer possible to eat foods spoiled by moths.

Kitchen moths easily tolerate lack of air and lack of ventilation. It can live well and reproduce well in a hermetically sealed jar if the purchased dried fruits or cereals contained insect eggs or larvae.

HOW TO REMOVE MOTHS IN THE KITCHEN

If a moth or traces of its larvae in cereals are noticed in the kitchen, it is necessary to remove it as soon as possible. Considering that the butterflies themselves do not eat anything, and the eggs and larvae are found in food, it is quite difficult to breed this insect. But, knowing the peculiarities of his life, you can understand how to get rid of food moths at home and protect your food supplies from their appearance in the future.

The first step is to review all bulk product inventories. If there are moths in cereals, legumes, nuts or flour, these products must be thrown away immediately - no one will use them for food anyway. If there are products that are not badly damaged by the larvae, then you can try to save them - sort them out and heat them in the microwave or oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of 60-70 degrees, after cooling, put them in an airtight container for storage. This method will not harm the products, but it will destroy the remaining oviposition and insect larvae. In the same way you can process all dry bulk products, in which moths can settle, both stored at home and brought from stores.

Shelves of cabinets and tables, as well as containers for storing food, must be thoroughly washed outside and inside. All grooves and crevices where insects can hide should be coated with table vinegar, then rinsed clean water. The doors of tables and cabinets should be left open until completely dry.
In case there are still insects somewhere, a trap for food moths, which should be placed directly in the cabinet between the containers, will help get rid of them. The remaining butterflies, attracted by the smell, will stick to the adhesive tape and die. In any case, this measure will not be superfluous: firstly, based on the presence of adhered insects, it can be concluded that the pest could not be completely removed and repeated treatment is required, and secondly, the adhered insects will no longer be able to produce offspring. The Aeroxon food moth trap has proven itself well, and the well-known Raptor trap is also suitable.

PROVEN FOLK METHODS OF COMBATING MOTHS.

Kitchen moths cannot tolerate fresh air, therefore, regular ventilation of the kitchen, as well as kitchen cabinets and tables, can be used as a remedy for food moths. To prevent larvae from appearing, it is important to keep adult butterflies out of the room.

Garlic is often used as a repellent, a clove of which is placed in cabinets and tables, as well as in containers with flour and cereals, although there are claims that cereal moths can adapt to its smell. To get rid of harmful insect, it is better to place bags of pepper, oregano, bay leaf or cloves on the shelves. The smell of spices will not spoil the food, but it will repel butterflies. In addition to spices, they repel this insect well peppermint, lavender and sweet clover. Bags of dried herbs are placed in cabinets. Food moths do not tolerate the smell of citrus fruits, so orange and lemon peels will also help get rid of them.
It will be useful to place a pot of geraniums on the windowsill in the kitchen - a well-known preventative against many insects.
But how to deal with food moths if they constantly fly into the apartment from somewhere? Only people can help here mechanical methods control: ventilation holes and windows must be covered with a thick mosquito net, and all cracks through which insects can enter the apartment must be sealed or sealed.
For obvious reasons, it is not advisable to use strong-smelling substances and insecticides in the kitchen. But if, in order to get rid of moths, you still decide to resort to chemicals, you must strictly follow the instructions for use and use personal protective equipment.

Knowing how to get rid of food moths, this will not be so difficult. Once all measures have been taken to get rid of moths and larvae, it is necessary to check products for their presence for several weeks before use. In addition, acquiring the habit of constantly taking preventive measures against kitchen moths, such as ventilation, bags of aromatic herbs in cabinets and geraniums on the windowsill, will not require much labor and time, but will help prevent the appearance of this enemy in the house. published

Food moths frighten many housewives. At least once in her life, every lady has encountered unpleasant insects, perplexedly trying to understand where the flying moths came from in the kitchen. Initially, it is necessary to find the source of insect reproduction, then suppress the destruction of uninvited “guests”.

The process of getting rid of food moths is unpleasant, lengthy and expensive. Be sure to study the rules for preventing the appearance of insects in your home, because preventing food contamination is much easier than trying to get rid of larvae and adult insects later.

What is food moth

The insect is a pest with a short breeding cycle. Food or grain moths belong to the butterfly family. Adults are beige in color, sometimes light brown. There are also larvae that look like caterpillars; the eggs are light-colored. The larvae vary in size depending on the type of insect, sometimes reaching a length of two centimeters. It is this form of the pest that is considered the most harmful to humans. The larvae devour food and envelop nuts, fruits and cereals in an unpleasant web.

The maximum lifespan of an adult (butterfly) does not exceed several days, then the insect lays eggs and dies. During the breeding season, the pest turns into a wingless butterfly, when it destroys many food supplies. This period can last up to six days. The reproduction process of grain moths is accelerated if environment warm and humid. Therefore, the absence of flying moths is not a reason for peace. At this moment, the larvae can safely feast on your supplies.

Pay attention! The most important thing in the fight against insects in the kitchen is to periodically check all containers with dry products, and not just get rid of the pest once.

These questions worry many housewives, because many believe that they themselves are to blame for the contamination of food with insects. You can’t assume that, you can only take care of your kitchen, but it’s impossible to watch other people. Often, goods purchased in a store (especially on sale) are already contaminated with moth larvae. Unscrupulous owners of wholesale warehouses neglect the rules for storing products. Insects also make their way into the home through ventilation, through windows.

Favorite places for food moths:

cereals Favorite place habitats of grain moths: rice, oatmeal, rolled oats, pasta, even portioned bags of cereals are not immune from pest infestation;
nuts. The moth lives in shelled peanuts, under the shells of walnuts;
dried fruits. Raisins, prunes, dried apricots are often covered with some kind of mold due to moth enveloping the product;
cardboard boxes. Sometimes larvae are found in unpacked tea packs, corn flakes, oatmeal;
if insects have been living in your kitchen for a long time, then perhaps they live under window sills, behind cabinets; there are rare cases of grain moths living even in household appliances, which has not been used for a long time;
There is an opinion that insects are afraid of garlic, but some claim that they have found larvae even in bags of vegetables;
There are foods that moths do not eat, but live in them well (salt, soda). When inspecting the kitchen, pay attention to these bulk items.

Caustic (vinegar) and viscous (honey, wait, jam) are not susceptible to infection, because insects simply drown in them.

You shouldn’t panic when you spot a pest; gather yourselves and immediately begin destroying grain moths.

Harm and danger

Many people believe that the insect is absolutely harmless to humans; it’s okay if it eats a couple of grains. It is strictly forbidden to think so. The main problem with grain moths is that an adult can lay about 500 eggs. Each larva changes its skin several times during its short life and contaminates food with its vital activity. Cereals and nuts contain a lot of feces and chitinous covering (insect skin).

Regular consumption of contaminated foods, sometimes even one meal, can lead to dire consequences:

food poisoning, serious intoxication of the whole body;
severe allergic reaction, including angioedema, which sometimes leads to death;
malfunctions of the immune system.

All doctors and exterminators insist that after discovering insects in the kitchen, you need to get rid of them very quickly. Food moths pose a particular danger to children. A fragile body may react acutely to a meal of contaminated foods.

General rules for insect control

it is a mistake to put cereals in the refrigerator, low temperatures only lead to the larvae falling asleep. After returning to a humid and warm environment, insects will begin to actively reproduce
larvae and eggs die only when high temperatures. It is allowed to steam the cereals in the oven for at least 20 minutes, otherwise some individuals may survive and the disinfestation will have to be repeated again;
it was not for nothing that our mothers and grandmothers stored cereals and dried herbs in tin cans. Insects are unable to chew through metal, glass, wood and foil. But fabric, paper, plastic lids - easily. Store all edibles in tightly closed glass containers with special seals. This way you can see the pest through glass jar, insects will not crawl throughout the kitchen;
Wash all jars containing contaminated cereals in a vinegar solution. Regular soap does not affect moths in any way; insects can even live in packs of powder. It is allowed to wash with a soap solution after vinegar treatment for additional hygiene.

Important! No method will help unless you destroy all contaminated food. It is also recommended to thoroughly wash the furniture, the room itself, and carry out general cleaning by adding a little table vinegar to the water for washing the floors.

They will help you completely rid your kitchen of annoying insects. chemicals, which eliminates the possibility of saving contaminated products. All remedies against grain moths can be divided into two groups:

eradication insecticides. The product consists of chemical elements aimed at poisoning adults, larvae, and killing eggs;
repellents. The products include only natural ingredients that can repel insects. The products cannot destroy moths, but contribute to their migration to other territories.

Aerosols

How to deal with food moths in an apartment? One of the most effective means aerosols are considered. Manufacturers produce a lot of products, similar in composition and action, designed to rid the kitchen of food-eating insects in a short period of time.

Popular aerosols:

Antimol. Authorized to use on kitchen furniture, tissues, the duration of action of the product is amazing - the effect lasts up to one year;
Armol. The product is designed to quickly kill moths; the product affects not only butterflies, but also has a prolonged effect against larvae;
Battalion commander Famous universal action, destroys all types of moths. The product is safe for pets and can be used on all surfaces.

For help with choosing the right aerosol, contact a consultant at specialty store. Consider the presence of children in the house. During disinfestation, it is better to leave the premises, take pets, children, even plants. Then ventilate your home thoroughly; insects cannot stand fresh air.

Traps

Flying individuals must also be destroyed to prevent the resumption of contamination of food. To do this, some people use regular newspaper or slippers. The moth flies poorly, catching it is not difficult. If you don't like this method, use commercial traps that attract insects. The products are lubricated with a special substance, the pest sticks and can no longer fly, eventually dying.

The Aeroxon food moth trap has proven excellent. The adhesive surface of the product does not dry out for a long time, and the special aroma attracts butterflies. The trap can be purchased at any hardware store; the cost of one package does not exceed 200 rubles. One trap should be enough to completely destroy adult individuals; if this does not happen, purchase another product.

Folk recipes

Proven remedies for food moths in the apartment: http://site/nasekomye/blohi/kak-izbavitsia.html and read about how to get rid of fleas in an apartment yourself.

Food moths can appear in any product

Food moth is a general name for several species of moths - small insects from the order Lepidoptera, whose caterpillars consume food. For the vast majority of people, there are only two types of moths: food moths and clothes moths. If any questions arise in connection with the appearance of these flickering insects, then only about how to remove moths and prevent them reappearance in the apartment. In fact, there are several types of house moths, differing in both external signs, and according to their preferences and habits. Let's look at the features of food moths, which many mistakenly call kitchen moths.

Food moths live not only in our kitchens and pantries. Some species are a real disaster for agriculture, destroying cultural plantings and damaging stocks in storage facilities.

There is even a unique bee moth, which, on the one hand, destroys bee products, and on the other hand, is used to make valuable medicine.

Types of food moths

Even in sealed factory packaging of a product, food moths can be found

Initially, all types of moths were “wild”, the larvae of which fed on the seeds of trees and plants. The appearance of those species of moths, which are identified as domestic ones, occurred only quite a while ago. high level development of human civilization. The storage of food in granaries, barns, and the appearance of long-stored household supplies led to the fact that some pests chose to settle next to humans.

The development of trade, transportation between countries and continents influenced the fact that the moth spread throughout the world, although it does not fly well on its own. Many species feel at ease both in granaries and in a jar of cereal on the kitchen shelf, and the question of how to remove food moths is important not only for agricultural producers, but also for housewives.

Moths can enter your home even in a sealed bag of flour from the store.

Most people have little interest in cabbage or apple pests. The question of how to fight food moths at the household level comes down to fighting moths in the kitchen. Nevertheless, in one form or another, a person has to come into contact with all the main types of food moths. These include:

Cabbage. The wingspan is 15-17 mm, the color is gray and brown, the hind wings have a fringe. Dangerous for all cruciferous plants - cabbage, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, etc. As a result of damage caused by caterpillars, vegetables cannot be stored for a long time and have an unsightly appearance. appearance. Found all over the world.
Poplar. The wingspan is up to 10 mm, the color is variegated, the front wings are pink, brown and yellow, the hind wings are chestnut, decorated with fringe. It lives on poplars and feeds there. It is most active during the period of fluff formation, with which it often enters homes. In residential areas, butterflies accumulate around light sources at night, flickering around and annoying the owners. Females can lay eggs in cereals, flour and dried fruits. Found throughout Russia.
Apple tree. Dimensions up to 20 mm, body and front wings velvety white, wings with black specks, hind wings light ash. The larvae eat the leaves of apple trees, causing them to fall off and the tree to stop bearing fruit. They prefer cool regions; in Russia they are found in Siberia.
Rowan. Wingspan up to 13 mm. The front wings are chestnut with silver spots, the hind wings are gray. It prefers rowan fruits, but can also attack apple trees.
Potato. The wingspan reaches 20 mm. The forewings are light brown with dark streaks and yellow dots. The hind wings are darker and have a fringe. They cause harm to plants of the nightshade family - potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, etc. Vegetables planted on winter storage. The larvae burrow deep into the fruit, causing rotting. As a result, the entire crop may be destroyed.
Cereal. The wingspan reaches 15 mm, the color is white-silver. The larvae feed on grains and cereals, gnawing holes in them or eating them completely. The caterpillars glue the grains together, several at a time, and drag them behind them. They also eat dried fruits and seeds.
Mushroom. Brown-gray butterfly, wingspan up to 16 mm. It lives in forests, but migrates in large groups to city parks and squares, from where it enters apartments. Once in housing, it feeds on bulk foods and dried fruits.
Floury. Large moth with a wingspan of up to 25 mm. A nondescript silver-gray color. The larvae bind the flour into small lumps and contaminate the food with waste products and molting. They love corn and vegetables. It can even be found in hermetically sealed products.

Moth development

Like other butterflies, during the period of its life the moth goes through several stages during which development is carried out in a completely different form, with different survival abilities and lifestyles. The life of an insect, depending on the species and habitat, from egg to winged individual can take from 2-3 months to 1-1.5 years.

Adult (imago)

Females do not fly, but move by crawling

The moth is an underdeveloped butterfly that has no or non-functioning digestive organs, so at the adult stage the moth does not cause harm. Having hatched from the larva, the adult is only able to become fertilized and lay eggs using the energy that accumulated during the larval stage. This explains the short lifespan of butterflies. More active males die within a period of several days to 1-2 weeks. Females live longer due to a sedentary lifestyle. In some species, females do not fly at all; in most, they move by crawling or short flights.

Egg deposition occurs in the same place or close to the place of birth, which explains the ability of the moth to cause significant damage to food supplies over several generations. Fertilization occurs no later than 1-2 days after the appearance of the female imago.

Moths do not have visual organs; males find their mate by smell.

During his life, a male fertilizes no more than 1-2 females, the latter producing up to 2-3 clutches of eggs. Sexual maturity occurs soon after birth, deposition begins 2-4 hours after fertilization. In an apartment or warm storage, reproduction occurs throughout the year. Optimal temperature for moth development is +24 °C…+26°C at humidity 50-60%. A decrease or increase in temperature slows down the process of egg laying or leads to the death of butterflies.

Oviposition

The female moth lays eggs in the nutrient medium, from which she herself originated. The masonry is done in heaps in secluded and dark places. That is why the fight against food moths begins with airing and sorting stocks of cereals, flour, dried fruits, etc. Read more about the development of food moths here:

Favorite areas are mezzanines, pantries, and the far corners of kitchen cabinets and cabinets. In total, about a hundred eggs are laid, some species are more fertile. Laying is carried out in several places, so destroying one of the clutches does not bring any results.

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It is extremely difficult to discern where eggs are laid in food.

The eggs have a cylindrical shape with one more pointed end, dimensions no more than 0.5x0.3 mm, color, as a rule, white with a pearl tint. At room temperature the egg matures no later than 10-12 days after laying. A decrease or increase in temperature inhibits the development process; when critical temperatures are reached, the eggs die. Warming or freezing food is one way to kill food moths. Food contaminated with eggs can be eaten after heat treatment.

Caterpillar (larval) stage

If for the imago the purpose of life activity is fertilization and laying eggs, then the larva sees its tasks in the formation of a cocoon and the accumulation of energy reserves for the future adult. The only way to do this is through active feeding, which is what the caterpillars do. The moth causes active harm precisely at this stage. Having been born about 1 mm in length, by full maturity the larva reaches 15 mm, significantly increasing in weight.

Having strong jaws and having high acidity digestive system, caterpillars chew on the hardest objects and digest them.

Moth larvae have 6 - 8 pairs of legs

Contamination of food products occurs with the remains of molting larvae and the results of their vital activity. The larvae bind bulk products into special lumps, which reveal their presence.

All larvae have externally similar characteristics: a translucent white worm, sometimes with a yellowish tint, with a brown head. The external difference from a worm is 6-8 pairs of legs. Ideal conditions for development are similar to those favorable for adult individuals. Temperatures below +13 °C and above +30 °C harmful to caterpillars. When food is cooked or frozen, both eggs and larvae are destroyed at the same time. In residential conditions, the larva matures and transforms into a cocoon within 30 days. When the temperature drops, the process slows down to 2-3 months.

Pupation

The last stage before the emergence of the imago is the pupal period. Having reached its maturity, the larva begins to weave a cocoon - a spindle-shaped cover from its own secretions, food debris and excrement. By general rule, cocoons are formed in closed and inaccessible places, but grain moth larvae leave their shelters for pupation and crawl out. They can be seen on the lower surfaces of wall cabinets, tables, etc. The presence of such pupae indicates that a moth has appeared; how to get rid of it may soon become a pressing issue. Watch the video for the pupation process:

At the pupation stage, the larva no longer feeds.

The color of the cocoons resembles the color of the imago, the length is about 10 mm. In the pupal state, the larva spends 1-2 weeks at favorable conditions. Pupae are much more resistant to changes in the external environment. A decrease in temperature reduces the rate of development; low temperatures do not entail death, but a slowdown in development up to a complete stop. A mature cocoon breaks at the rounded end and a mature individual crawls out into the resulting crack. Some time is spent spreading the wings and legs, acclimatizing to the environment. After a few hours, the female moth reaches sexual maturity and is capable of fertilization.

Destruction of food moths

Destruction of indoor moths is not particularly difficult; there are many proven chemicals for this purpose. The question of how to remove food moths is much more complicated. The use of chemicals in the kitchen is not advisable. In particularly advanced cases, specialist help may be required. About the fight against food moths, watch this video:

But do not be afraid, with the usual degree of infestation, getting rid of moths is not difficult, although it will take a lot of time.

The main signs of the presence of moths are characteristic sticky lumps in flour and cereals, winding passages in dried fruits, small debris, the larvae themselves and butterflies.

Any of these signs indicates the presence of pests and you should not pray that everything will work out. The process has already begun. To destroy larvae and eggs, it is necessary to sort through food supplies, throw away old and spoiled foods, and carry out hygienic cleaning. It is enough to warm up contaminated products to +50 °C…+60°C for 1-2 hours or refrigerate below -5 °C for a day, after which they can be eaten. When infection is more than 20%, supplies are thrown away.

It is more advisable to exterminate butterflies using the “sneaker method” or using fumigators. Anti-moth plates are offered by manufacturers of the brands Raid, Mosquitall, Raptor and others. IN for preventive purposes you need to know what food moths are afraid of. Repellent devices include sections that act on moths essential oils, scaring away butterflies and preventing them from laying eggs. Folk remedies are:

bunches of dry lavender placed in food storage areas;
fresh orange peels;
spilled tobacco;
live geranium.

By regularly cleaning and taking preventive measures, you don’t have to worry about the invasion of harmful insects.

Annoying moths can appear not only in the closet on your favorite fur coat, but also in the cupboard with cereal supplies. There are several types of moths that are found in cereals and actively reproduce. How to get rid of food moths forever? Let's consider the most effective ways fight against this annoying insect that destroys food.

How to remove moths from the kitchen

Even an experienced housewife can be upset by the fact that moths appear in the kitchen. After all, these insects multiply very quickly and infect almost all food supplies with larvae. The insect may not be detected immediately, because it is mainly active in the dark.

Most housewives are perplexed: where did the moth actually come from, since the house is regularly cleaned. There are several answers to this question, the simplest thing that can happen is the arrival of a moth in open doors or windows. Don't be surprised if an insect appears from cracks or ventilation holes- they really love wet space.

Quite often, pests appear in warehouses and elevators. In this case, an unscrupulous manufacturer cleans and processes the cereal, and then packages and sells the products at reduced prices. Surviving larvae grow freely in ready-made packages already at your home. By the way, a moth that accidentally flies in can feed on spilled crumbs and grains, which often form under kitchen furniture.

How to get rid of food moths at home, we list several effective methods:

Complete cleaning and disinfection of furniture and premises.
Use of chemicals.
We get rid of the moth’s habitat, namely all the cereals where the pest was found.
Using proven traditional methods.

Important! If you have a question: how to get rid of food moths at home. Do not eat contaminated cereals under any circumstances. In places where they feed, insects leave behind waste products, pupae, larvae, and moth corpses. Heat treatment is not always effective. Moreover, under the influence of cold, individuals do not die, but only fall asleep.

How to remove food moths in the kitchen using special means

The faster the fight against moths begins, the more likely it is to be quickly destroyed. One or more individuals lay huge amount larvae. The hatching of new offspring threatens a lot of trouble in the future. If you hesitate, the problem of how to remove food moths from the kitchen will become even more complicated. Not only do the moths settle in the rump, but the larvae can also be found on the walls and ceiling of the apartment.

Aerosols- have a wide spectrum of action, capable of killing adult moth insects within a few minutes. These include the well-known dichlorvos and raptors, raid, etc. The aerosol is sprayed in places where moths accumulate (kitchen cabinets, and walls where larvae were noticed). Within half an hour the insects die.
Chalks and dust- powdered substances, for example, “Mashenka” chalk, act for up to 8 weeks, scatter on the most likely areas of insects. Not recommended for use in the kitchen as they are dangerous for animals and children. The effect may not occur immediately, since the insects die from the poison after some time and may still leave offspring. To get rid of moths, you need to draw with chalk or sprinkle powder in the moth’s habitats; special attention should be paid to cracks and gaps in the room.
Pills- contain an insecticide, act similarly to powders.
Microencapsulated drugs- are issued in in various forms(powders, sprays). They are considered the most effective in the fight not only against moths, but also against other insects.
Special traps with pheromones- act only on adult insects. The trap consists of a container that is pollinated with an adhesive compound and pheromones; in fact, they are very attractive to moths. Flocking to the smell, the moth simply sticks to the walls.

Important! The use of insecticidal and microencapsulated preparations is not recommended near food, because toxic chemicals are harmful to humans. If you nevertheless decide to undergo chemical treatment, then spray the preparations wearing a mask and gloves, and after completion, leave the room for a while.

The above methods for removing food moths from an apartment are effective both individually and in combination with other measures.

How to remove food moths from food by throwing it away

Moths have special preferences - they love to live in flour, sugar, legumes and other grains. Don't be surprised if uninvited guests feast on pasta and even fabric. In search of food, moths destroy many edible foods. It can also be found in baked goods, nuts and dried apricots. The nature of this insect is to find a comfortable place to live. Kitchen in in this case is the best option.

There is no other solution to the problem of how to get rid of food moth larvae in products, except for the radical one - throwing them away. The same solution with a similar problem, how to get rid of food moths in the store.

It is possible that the moths have not appeared everywhere. To do this, you need to review all packages. However the best solution will get rid of all stocks, otherwise in a week you will encounter this problem again.

Important! Do not throw cereals into the garbage disposal, because the larvae can crawl and re-enter the apartment.

After the supplies are thrown away, you need to do a thorough spring cleaning. You need to wash all cabinets and gaps, as eggs can be laid there too. You can wipe the surfaces with a mild soap or vinegar solution.

One-time cleaning is not always effective, so you need to be patient and disinfect again after 2-3 days.

Food moth: how to get rid of it using folk remedies

After all the grains are thrown away, the remaining moths need to be eliminated. Not only chemicals are effective in this matter. Previously, our mothers and grandmothers were also worried about how to get rid of food moths in cereals.
Let's consider long-tested methods in the fight against insects - food moths, how to get rid folk remedies. Strong odors have the greatest impact on moths.. Unpleasant odors for pests include:

Dried orange or lemon zest. Folds out into kitchen cabinets. The smell of the peel repels moths.
Garlic- cloves of unpeeled garlic should be placed in the corners of the cabinets where the cereals are stored. This method will work as effective measure against moths, and also as a preventive measure.
Vinegar- in order for the moth to fly away, you need to mix vinegar with water (proportion one to three), place several of these containers in the habitats of the moths. The vinegar solution will make the moth fly away.
Carnation- In moth habitats, you should put a couple of branches of cloves. Within 1-2 days the moth will leave your kitchen.
Lavender- 1-2 sprigs of lavender are placed in places where moths accumulate. The next day you need to throw away these branches and put new ones, this needs to be done for 2-3 days.
Bay leaf- dried leaves are laid out in areas where cereals are kept. The strong smell of laurel drives away moths.
Peppermint- dried mint leaves are laid out in kitchen drawers. After a few, to consolidate the effect, you can replace the leaves with new ones.
Dried geranium- several branches need to be laid out in the main habitat of the moth. You can remove the branches when the moth flies away.

In order not to litter the shelf with leaves, you can collect them in small linen bags and place them in the corners.
For prevention, you can wipe down the shelves kitchen cabinets vinegar or lemon juice diluted in water.

Preventive measures to combat food moths

No one is safe from the appearance of various insects in the house. However, there are some measures that should be followed to prevent food moths from appearing, how to remove them forever without special costs Let's consider.

Moths do not particularly like fresh air, so you need to ventilate the room and the cabinets themselves as often as possible. You can prevent insects from entering through the window by installing mosquito net. The right way To get rid of all insects, seal all cracks and ventilation ducts.

It is known that moths most like to live in stale, spoiled cereals, so you should not stock up on food unnecessarily, it is better to buy more of it gradually. Special attention give kitchen table: Do not leave open grocery bags or leftover food on it, this will only attract uninvited pests.

Immediately after purchase, it is better to pour the cereal into a glass or plastic dishes with a tight-fitting lid. Such containers can be stored on open places. To prevent animals from getting in, it is also useful to use traditional methods, for example, put some orange zest in the cupboard.

The most important rule: it is better to buy products from trusted manufacturers, even if they cost a little more. Saving by buying cheap cereals is not always justified.

Video: how to get rid of food moths forever

When food moths appear in their home, many housewives begin to panic and look for the sources of the appearance of flying moths. Some housewives, on the contrary, do not show any concern, believing that this pest is not dangerous. The insect is quite unpleasant, so everyone is trying to get rid of it. The task will be simplified if a breeding site is found.

This is a rather unpleasant process, takes a lot of time and costs a lot. To prevent various insects from appearing in your home, you need to know preventive measures. Knowing how to prevent the appearance of unpleasant insects, bugs or worms, you can hope that you will not have to subsequently fight with larvae, and then with adult food moths.

The food or grain moth is a pest that is characterized by a short reproduction cycle, presenting an adult in the form of a butterfly. Adults are distinguished by a beige tint, and sometimes light brown. The larvae can reach a length of about 2 cm, depending on the species. This particular type of moth is the most harmful to humans. She is quite voracious and eats everything that is edible: cereals, nuts, fruits, etc. If it is not detected in time, it can devour all food supplies.

An adult can live only a few days, after which it lays eggs and dies. It is during the breeding season, when the individual is no longer able to fly, that it begins to devour any food. The breeding period can last up to six days. One can only imagine how many products moths can spoil during this period.

This process can speed up significantly if the room is warm and humid. Therefore, if you don’t see flying butterflies, this does not mean at all that there are no moths. It’s just that during this period she can easily devour food.

Important! It is necessary not only to carry out the fight against moths once. It is necessary to regularly check containers with dry products for the presence of food moth larvae.

This issue seriously worries many housewives, and they believe that they themselves are to blame for the appearance of these pests in the kitchen. In reality, everything looks completely different. After all, most products, if not all, are bought in a store, where they are purged and can become infected with food moths. This is due to the fact that at all bases products are not stored as prescribed by the rules. In addition, moths can enter the room through windows or ventilation.

Food moths choose special places for their life activities. For example:

Among the cereals It can feel great in places where rice, rolled oats, oatmeal, and pasta are stored. Even in bags of cereals, food moths can be found there.
Among the nuts. Moths can be found in shelled peanuts, under the shells of walnuts, etc.
Among dried fruits. Where dried apricots, prunes and raisins are stored, you can notice how they become covered with some kind of film over time. It can be assumed that they are infested with moths.
Among the cardboard boxes. Moth larvae are found even in unopened packets of tea, oatmeal or corn flakes.
If it is not possible to get rid of the moth for many years, then we can assume that it lives in this room, hiding in various crevices and other secluded places. Sometimes it is found in household appliances that are not used.
Some experts claim that moths are afraid of garlic, but this is not at all true, since they were found even among garlic.
She can even live in foods that she does not eat. This can be salt, soda and other bulk products. Therefore, when inspecting, you need to pay attention to all products.

The only place where you won't find moths is where liquid products are stored.

If this pest is detected, then do not panic. On the contrary, we need to get together and begin to destroy this pest.

Many don't knowledgeable people They believe that food moths are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, everything is much more serious. The fact is that an adult can lay up to 500 eggs. By the time the larva becomes an adult, it will have time to change its skin several times, and through its vital activity it contaminates food. As a result, cereals, nuts and other foods contain a lot of feces and old insect skin. If you regularly eat contaminated foods, you can provide yourself with:

Food poisoning, which will lead to serious intoxication of the body.
An allergic reaction, including angioedema, which can be fatal.
Decreased immunity.

Most experts say that if this pest is discovered, it should be gotten rid of as quickly as possible. Moths are especially dangerous for children. Their bodies are not yet strong enough, so eating contaminated foods can lead to serious consequences.

Interesting! It is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of moths unless you throw away contaminated food. Events such as general cleaning in the kitchen, washing all the furniture and the entire room using a vinegar solution. This is the only way to get rid of this dangerous pest for humans.

Means for combating food moths are divided into two categories:

Elimination insecticides. Chemicals aimed at destroying eggs, larvae and adults.
Repellents. These are substances of natural origin that are aimed at repelling insects. The preparations do not destroy insects, but facilitate their migration to other areas.