Food Moths: Here Are the Best Techniques for Eliminating Them from Your Cupboards

Have you discovered small flying or crawling insects among your food? They might be food moths, a plague that's invading kitchens everywhere. Don't wait any longer to eliminate them from your cupboards!

Food moths are a real scourge, affecting many households today. These small flying or crawling insects quickly invade cupboards, infesting many foods. While they're not dangerous, their presence is as unpleasant as it is disgusting.

Food moths can arrive at your home in various ways, including via your groceries or through an open window. These insects are attracted to and feed on many types of food, particularly those rich in starch: cereals (flour, rice, wheat, oats, etc.), nuts, dried fruit, spices, chocolate, etc. They go through four life stages, which are important to know in order to combat them more effectively: egg, larva, chrysalis, and adult. Larvae, which cause the most damage, can pierce packaging (both plastic and cardboard) to gain access to food.

The first step to getting rid of food moths is to ensure good hygiene in your kitchen. Regularly clean your cupboards and all food storage areas with white vinegar. This natural, economical product is an excellent disinfectant and repellent. Pay particular attention to nooks and crannies, where moths like to hide. You can also use bleach diluted in water.

• Steam is also very effective. If you have a steam cleaner, use it to disinfect your cupboards. The high temperature kills larvae and eggs, ensuring thorough cleaning. This is the most formidable weapon in the elimination phase.
• Natural remedies can help keep moths at bay. Lavender sachets or a few bay leaves placed in your cupboards act as effective repellents. Essential oils of bay, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, or geranium can also be used. Put a few drops on a clean cloth and place it in your cupboards.
• Salt is a natural repellent for food moths. Put some around your packets of pasta, cereals, and other products to keep them at bay.

In the event of severe infestation, pheromone traps can be useful. Sold as stickers, they contain substances that attract male moths and then hold them by adhesion, thus disrupting the colony's reproductive cycle. Place these traps in your cupboards to control the moth population. Be careful, however, as these traps are not sufficient to eliminate the entire population. If you find an infestation, it's essential to throw out contaminated food. Don't try to save them, as eggs invisible to the naked eye may persist. Empty and clean your cupboards thoroughly to eliminate all traces of moths.

A few simple recommendations can help you avoid colonization and the resulting extermination. First, be vigilant when shopping. Inspect packaging for any trace of contamination. Moths can find their way into your groceries as soon as they arrive at the store. Taking a few moments to check packages of flour, cereals, or other dry goods can prevent an infestation. Then, to prevent moths from taking hold, transfer your food to airtight containers as soon as you get home. Poorly sealed bags are an invitation to these pests. Use glass jars or well-closed boxes to store cereals, flour, and other dry products.

Finally, take extra care when buying in bulk. Use specific bags for different types of food, and clean them thoroughly between uses. This will prevent cross-contamination and limit the risk of infestation.