What containers keep out pantry moths?

You will want to use heavy plastic containers with airtight lids if at all possible. For my project I used the OXO brand food storage containers because they are BPA free and made of clear plastic. I like to be able to see what's in my pantry.

Can pantry moths get into airtight containers?

Larvae can survive on small amounts of food under cabinets and in corners. Transfer bulk items from plastic bags to sturdy glass or plastic containers. Pantry moth larvae can chew through plastic and Ziploc bags to access food.

Do mason jars keep pantry moths out?

Moths cannot enter the mason jars. Looking at it this way, the Mason jar is an airtight container that will protect the food from a further infestation of the moths. The moths cannot eat up the materials used to develop the Mason jar for them to enter.

How do I permanently get rid of pantry moths?

Can moths get into storage containers?

Moths can lay eggs in shelf brackets, wall corners, and even on the top of cookbooks. Be sure to wipe all surfaces several times. If you don't have them already, purchase air-tight storage containers for your dry food, such as these jars.

The BEST Way to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

How do you keep moths out of storage?

Take care to store clothes made of wool, fur, or feathers in tightly sealing plastic storage bins or compression storage bags. Place suits, dresses, or other hanging clothes in garment bags, sealed and without holes (tape over any seams or joints). Avoid fabric containers, which moths can eat through.

How do moths get into Tupperware?

Throw out infested products and put everything else into sealed plastic containers. Despite common belief, these pests can't chew through plastic, but they can get in through extremely small holes – or they have been inside all along.

Do bay leaves keep pantry moths away?

Adding a bay leaf to packages and containers of dry goods like grains, rice, or flour will keep pantry pests at bay (pun intended). Bay leaves can repel flies, moths, roaches, and mice, simply because they can't stand the bitter smell the leaves exude.

What kills pantry moth eggs?

Wash all unopened jars and cans in hot, soapy water. Use a toothpick to check for eggs or larvae in the cracks around the lids of jars. Wash the inside of the pantry or cabinet with soap and water, then with a weak bleach solution. Rinse with a mixture of water, vinegar, and peppermint oil to kill eggs and repel moths.

Do bay leaves repel moths?

Herbs – Several fragrant herbs repel moths, including rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender and bay leaves. Place the herbs in a small bag in cupboards or spray the essential oil into high-risk areas.

What containers can pantry moths get into?

Keeping all your dry goods stored in airtight containers is the best way to prevent pantry moths from infesting your food. Clear plastic or glass canisters are best, as you can clearly see if anything has made its way in.

What scent do pantry moths hate?

Fill sachets with dried lavender, or dip cotton balls in lavender essential oil. Then, place them in your closets, drawers, and boxes of off-season clothes. Lavender smells great to us, but it's highly repellent to moths and other insects.

What is a home remedy to get rid of pantry moths?

Lay bay leaves or lemon peels on the shelves in your pantry or food cabinet. You can also sprinkle cinnamon, black pepper, peppermint or coriander on the shelves. These all-natural ingredients repel pantry moths and keep them from re-infesting your food.

Can moths eat plastic bags?

Absolutely not! Plastic is neither attractive to, nor digestible by, clothes moth larvae, and their mouthparts will not be able to eat through plastic. The softest (and sadly, usually, the most expensive items of clothing in your closet) are at the highest risk - they are the most digestible for the larvae.

Do pantry moths eat cardboard?

Signs of an Infestation

Most people don't realize is that pantry moth larvae can actually chew through food packaging. They can get inside plastic wrappers and paper boxes and will weave webs in your food items. You may find bits of cereals or flours clumped together. Their eggs sometimes leave a strange smell.

How do moths get inside air tight containers?

The main reason you suddenly get pantry moths in your sealed container is that its larvae could already infest some of the food you purchase. Make it a habit to check the food you buy. Inspect areas in the house that store food.

Are there traps for pantry moths?

Safe and non-toxic, TERRO® Pantry Moth Traps contain a powerful pheromone lure that attracts moths to the trap's sticky surface where they get stuck and die. Simply place the moth traps in areas where moths are observed. TERRO® Pantry Moth Traps attract and kill the most common moths.

Can pantry moths get into cans?

You may find larvae and pupae tucked away in door hinges, backs of door knobs, and corners of wire baskets; underneath shelves, and around the edges of jar lids, cans, and non-food items also stored in your pantry or cupboard. The larvae can chew through paper and plastic.

Does lavender keep moths away?

Lavender oil is a good idea for scaring off clothes moths, too. Williams suggests hand-washing “vulnerable garments” with a few drops of natural essential lavender oil at the end of the season. The oil can also re-scent pouches that have faded over time.

How long is the life cycle of a pantry moth?

Life Cycle of the Pantry Moth

Moths follow the life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The life cycle may be completed in as little as 30 days or as long as 300 days, depending on food availability and temperature. The warmer the temperature, the faster the cycle completes. The average is 4-7 weeks.

Do pantry moths eat books?

Paper-eating bugs love starches, sugars, and carbohydrates. Paper is actually a starchy food source for moth larvae. Paper bags, cookbooks, magazines, tea bags, and anything else with paper in it can contain larvae worms. Dispose of ALL the paper in your pantry to ensure no eggs or larvae are accidentally left behind.

Do pantry moths eat potatoes?

They feed in a number of food products that are not refrigerated, canned or in airtight containers. Their food choices include grain-based foods like corn meal, pancake and muffin mix, flour, rice, barley, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, unpopped popcorn, corn starch, dry bread crumbs and instant mashed potato flakes.

Can pantry bugs get into sealed packages?

Pantry pests are most likely to infest products that have been opened but they also can get into unopened paper, thin cardboard, and plastic, foil or cellophane-wrapped packages. They may chew their way into packages or crawl in through folds and seams.

Do pantry moths eat pasta?

Pantry moths are found on every continent except Antarctica. They feed on rice, grains, flour, pasta, cereals, dried fruits, spices, seeds, nuts and other dried food. Their fondness for dried foods makes them a major pest in food storage facilities.

Do pantry moths eat rice?

They particularly like pet food and bird seed, plus breakfast cereal, flour, cornmeal, pasta, rice, grains, nuts, seeds, crackers, raisins and other dried fruit, cocoa, powdered milk, dried soup mixes and more. By cleaning out your pantry, throwing out the infested food and buying the traps, you've done very well.