What to do: When you have a Pantry Moth Invasion

So you have an Moth Invasion?

I feel you. I really do. It happened to me twice.

It started with just a couple of moths in our kitchen.
“Ah, Spring time” I thought and waved it away, being the blasé panda that I am.

Fast forward three weeks, they have taken over the pantry, cupboards, ceilings
and the maggot looking moth larvae are popping up everywhere in the kitchen.
One larvae even made a mission impossible style entrance –
dangling from the rangehood while Po and I were cooking dinner and succeeded in grossing us out.

Imagine this, but with a larvae











We proceeded to hunt down all visible moths but a week later,
they are still frolicking around the kitchen and mating with each other.
And every time we open the cupboard they come out like bats in a cave.
“This is not working, we need to find the source,” said Po,
and then she uttered the dreaded C word to me.
Yup, she suggested CLEANING.
“nghhhh why don’t we do that next weekend”

But no, Po’s memory is exceedingly excellent when she categorise it as a project.
So clean we did.
For TWO. DAYS. STRAIGHT.

Note: The following material contains cruelty against pantry moths. May they rest in peace.

What to do when you have a Pantry Moth Invasion

Step 1: Cry because of the imminent cleaning that is about to happen

Step 2: Take everything out of your kitchen cupboards and I mean EVERYTHING

Moths are experts at hide and seek, so check every nook and cranny.
We had cocoons hiding in the crevice of plastic décor containers, underneath shelving,
gas bottle openings etc.
Wiping the entire cupboard down can help rid of those pesky moth larvae/cocoon/eggs.

Step 3: Throw anything that you suspect has been invaded

Pantry Moths love rice, grains, seeds, breakfast cereals and long walks on the beach.
Um I mean warm & dark places where they turn into beautiful moths,
find their true love and produce more moths.
It’s sweet in a horrifying sort of way.


Step 4: Wipe everything down – Karate Kid style
We just used Method surface cleaner (cucumber scent!) for the wipe down,
but a vinegar/water solution will work also.
Internet also suggests moths don’t like dish soap.

Result: Panda Family 1: Moth 0
So far so good we haven’t seen any more moths since (Touchwood).

Future Moth-Proofing
Switch to clear airtight containers
If your budget allows, switch to airtight containers to keep those pesky buggers out.
It’s also a great way to assess what you have in your cupboard and prevent wastage.
I’ve found food in the back of the cupboard from the last decade.
Don’t leave opened cereal boxes, pasta, grains because that’s an open buffet for Moths
I mean, who doesn’t like a good buffet?
*Update – We found more cocoons/moth eggs in the SEALED Rice container.
It’s gonna be a long battle.

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