Natural tips to banish pesky food moths from your pantry

Food moths are small insects resembling butterflies but with a much slimmer build and brown colouration. We can often spot them as white larvae, which can cause the most damage. They typically feed on dry products such as flour, grains, rice, sugar, or spices, but their presence isn't limited to these. Small caterpillars can chew through plastic packaging, easily reaching wherever they desire.

They are the bane of many kitchen spaces, but before they arrive, we often "bring them" from the supermarket. They can already infiltrate specific products during production. To avoid this, it's worth carefully examining each product to ensure there are no tiny holes or white cocoons.

If these unwanted visitors have somehow made their way into our shelves, you should promptly dispose of all contaminated food products. Simply cleaning boxes with food contents will be insufficient because moths spread very quickly and are likely present in entire packages. Their eggs are very small, almost invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, if you are unsure, it's better to throw away the entire product and even items around it.

The infestation of these insects can last several months, so you need to act as quickly as possible. The most effective method is thoroughly wiping all shelves and drawers with a solution made from water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. For a better effect, you can add a few cloves or citrus essential oil. Once this is done, bay leaves should be placed around the cleaned areas, leaving the cupboards empty. The moths will vanish for good once they detect the despised scent of vinegar and spice. This is not only a cheap but also a natural method, avoiding the use of chemicals.