What kills Indian meal moths?

Treat or Discard Infested Foods

Treat foods with evidence of infestation using cold or heat to kill all eggs or larvae that may be present. First spread out the food in a thin layer. To treat it by freezing, put the items into your freezer for a minimum of three days.

How do you treat an Indian meal moth infestation?

What attracts Indian meal moths?

Indian meal moths feed on grain and stored food, not on fabric. Indian meal moths are attracted to light and may fly away from the pantry into bedrooms, where they are often mistaken for clothes moths.

How do you get rid of a meal moth infestation?

Vacuum and scrub all surfaces. Remove and replace torn or peeling shelf liners. Using a flashlight, pay special attention to the corners and the undersides of shelves, as well as to breaks or holes in shelving. Mealmoth larvae have legs, and often move quite far from their original home.

What do pantry moths hate?

Pantry moths hate:
  • Storage containers.
  • Bay leaves.
  • Sticky traps.
  • Peppermint oil.
  • Eucalyptus oil.

Why do I have Indian meal moths?

How Did I Get Indian Meal Moths? Indian Meal moth infestations begin with stored foods that contain the pest’s eggs. When they hatch, larvae feed on materials like flour, cereals, and nuts. The pests may infest pantry goods during production, in the store, or at home.

How do I permanently get rid of pantry moths?

How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths
  1. STEP 1: Empty the pantry and inspect its contents. Empty out the affected area—completely.
  2. STEP 2: Dispose of non-airtight containers. Next, dispose of any dry goods with open packaging.
  3. STEP 3: Vacuum the area, then clean with a vinegar-and-water solution.
  4. STEP 4: Don’t re-stock the pantry right way!

Where do Indian meal moths lay their eggs?

Indian meal moths work their way into cracker and cereal boxes, bread bins, flour containers and other dried and processed goods stored in the kitchen, including pet food. Adult females like to lay their eggs inside the dried food packages within the food itself.

Why do I have tiny moths in my house?

Pantry goods attract moth species that lay their eggs in stored grains and processed products. These pests often come into homes inside infested food packages. Once inside, their eggs hatch into larvae that eat grains, dried nuts, cereals, and a variety of processed products.

What kills moths instantly?

Use hot water and high heat in the dryer, if possible. For clothes that can’t be washed or dried hot, put wet clothes in the freezer for a day to kill larvae and eggs. Use vinegar to help. Wash and scrub any areas you found larvae or eggs with a vinegar and water solution.

Why are there so many moths in my bedroom?

In most cases, clothes moths are introduced into bedrooms by people who bring in contaminated items. It’s also possible that the clothes moths simply flying in from the surrounding area.

How do I get rid of moths in my bedroom?

What spray kills moths?

To kill moths on contact and put a protective barrier on clothing and rugs, the best choice is SLA Cedar Scented Spray. This water-based spray is non-staining and safe to use on clothing and rugs, though it is chemical-based so use caution around pets and follow the directions on the product label.

Where do moths nest in a house?

Most flying insects tend to be drawn towards light, but clothes moths actually prefer to hide away in dark, undisturbed areas – such as wardrobes, cupboards and boxes. They also stay near their food sources (see below for detail).

How do I know if I have moths in my house?

What is a good moth repellent?

Fill fabric pouches, tea bags, wiffle balls, or just a bowl with mothrepelling herbs or essential oils like lavender, rosemary, mint, thyme, cloves, peppercorns, lemon, eucalyptus, and ginseng. Refresh every few months, and enjoy the bonus of a nice smelling closet!

What attracts moths in the house?

The insects may slip in easily through the door, or an open window. In some instances, moths get in the house because they are simply attracted to light. Moths may also be attracted to food or clothing within the home.

How do I get rid of moths cocoons?

Run machine washable fabrics through a hot water cycle.

Then machine-dry the garments at the hottest recommended temperature setting for at least 30 minutes. Shake out the dry item to loosen any trapped moth casings or cocoons, sweep these remains into a dustpan, and dispose of them outside.

Where do moths lay eggs?

Female moths lay eggs on fabric. They particularly like clothing with stains, sweat or urine that larvae can use to get the vitamins they need. Outdoors, female moths lay eggs on fruit trees, and the larvae make a meal out of your trees’ leaves and fruit.