Moths aren’t a bug that many homeowners think of when they are considering common household pests, but moths create all sorts of problems when they find their way into homes. Various types of moths are part of a group of intruders that are known as pantry pests. Month in pantries can contaminate food supplies, costing you money and putting your safety at risk. Read on to learn more about what to do when you suspects there are months in your pantry, as well as more about these stored food pests.

The Types Of Months In The Pantry

There are several types of months that could find their way into your pantry. Once this happens you’ll have to throw any any food that they manage to sneak into, otherwise you could risk getting sick from the bacteria that these pests spread. The two most commonly spotted types of moths in the pantry are Indian meal moths and Mediterranean flour moths.

Indian meal moths can find their way into all sorts of foods, but they seem to be most commonly found eating nuts, herbs and various types of grains. They are small pests, with grey, bronze, and brown splotches on their wings. They range from 3/8th to 5/8th’s of an inch long. When they are still in their caterpillar stage they are a yellowish-cream color with a dark brown colored head.

The Mediterranean flour moth is very similar in behavior and diet to other types of pantry pests, but they are quite different in appearance. These moths are slightly larger than Indian meal moths, averaging at about a half inch long with a one inch wingspan. They are grey in color, with bits of white on their rear wings. When they sit, they perch with their forelegs extended, giving them a unique sloped appearance.

Preventing Moths In Your Pantry

There are several steps that you can take to prevent pests from finding their way into your pantry. Even if they find their way in, these steps can keep them from contaminating any more food than necessary. Oftentimes they’ll find their way into food packaging at warehouses and grocery stores, and remain there until they get all the way to your home.

If a pantry moth sneaks a ride home to your cupboard, they won’t be able to do much damage if they product they arrive is in immediately moved to an air-tight container. Investing in a few of these containers today can save you a lot of hassle in down the road. Simply empty new products into their respective container as soon as you arrive home from the grocery store – this can also be a great way to save on space in your pantry. For dry staples like rice, pasta and grains, you can add the new purchases to the same container as the products you already have. Just dump the old product into a bowl first and add it to the top of the container so that you can use it before it goes stale.

Get Rid Of Pantry Pests Now

Your kitchen is no place for pests, so if you’ve seen moths or other bugs in your pantry, get in touch with a pest control provider right away. These experts have many methods for dealing with pests like these, including pheromone traps that are totally safe for use around your food. If you’ve been noticing pests around your pantry, you’ll be amazed at how quickly these traps will fill up. Pantry moths are no match for the knowledge and tools that come with an experienced pest control provider, so call to schedule your home inspection today.