Natural Remedies for Getting Rid of Moths From the Kitchen
- Cleaning is the first action you must take to eliminate pantry moths from your kitchen. The moths and larvae are small and hide in crevices under containers and shelf paper. The larvae can feed on flour dust, dropped rice and tiny bits of food. Remove everything from your cabinets and begin by vacuuming every inch of the interiors. Take out old shelf paper and replace it. Use soap and water, or other cleaners, to scrub all surfaces to remove any evidence of food the larvae could feast upon. Keeping your kitchen clean and absent of any available food source for pantry moths and their offspring will eventually eliminate the pests.
- In most cases, the moths in your kitchen and pantry arrived in the packaged food you brought into your home. Placing all dry goods into your freezer for a minimum of four days will kill any moths, larvae or cocoons hidden within your food. After the freezer treatment, sift or screen the dry goods to remove the dead pests. Freezing the dry goods that are already stored in your cupboards will also kill any larvae feeding in them. The alternative to freezing your costly food is to dispose of it. This must be done by removing the products completely from the house so no further invasion can occur.
- No matter how well and thorough you clean your kitchen to eliminate moths, eggs may have been laid in hidden places. A mixture of 50/50 boric acid and cornmeal in small jar lids placed throughout your cupboards will kill leftover moth larvae. Boric acid is a natural product derived from boron. It can be found at your local drugstore in powder or crystal form. The cornmeal, or other grain type food, will draw the larvae to the boric acid. Once the larvae feeds on the mix, they quickly die. Larvae can hatch for two to four weeks, or longer, after being laid, so it is advisable to continue placing the boric acid/cornmeal mixture in your cabinets for at least one month after you no longer see any flying moths.
- Several herbs in their natural form will repel pantry moths and keep your cupboards and food moth-free. Sprigs or stems of lavender flowers placed on pantry shelves keep moths out, or have a small vase of fresh or dried lavender on your kitchen windowsill. Moths dislike the scent of bay leaves. Put one or more bay leaves in the containers holding dry goods such as flour, oatmeal and rice. Bury one or two leaves several inches deep into the grains to prevent moths from laying eggs. If you have access to a bay tree, hang a stem of leaves in your kitchen and you will soon notice the moths are gone.