Silent invaders: Unveiling the moth menace in your kitchen
Moths can nest in our kitchens, destroying food supplies. Although they are often invisible, their presence can cause significant losses. Discover where they most commonly lay their eggs and how to eliminate them effectively.
In kitchens, moths can attack even tightly sealed products, and their larvae easily penetrate paper and plastic packaging. The issue also affects clothes moths, which can quietly nest in forgotten drawers and wardrobes.
Favourite hideouts of moths
Food moths do not choose locations randomly. They search for dark, warm, and quiet nooks where they can reproduce safely. Their eggs often appear in dry, bulk products such as rice, grains, flour, cereal, or nuts. Sometimes, it's enough for the packaging to be inadequately closed or damaged for the larvae to enter easily.
Moreover, moths can also nest in the corners of kitchen cupboards. Jars and containers are also at risk if they do not have tight seals. Meanwhile, clothes moths prefer places we rarely check, like linen cupboards, boxes with seasonal clothes, or forgotten dressers. They also thrive with open windows and no screens, especially in the warmer months.
What to do when they appear?
Before you see an adult moth, they leaves subtle but alarming traces. In kitchen cupboards, you might find thin cobwebs, larval remains, or even an unpleasant, musty smell. Food products may be glued together with mucus produced by the insects – a clear sign they should be discarded.
That's why it's worth taking comprehensive action. Pheromone traps are helpful; they effectively lure adult moths, which can then be removed and destroyed. After using them, it's necessary to thoroughly clean the cupboards, preferably with vinegar, which acts not only as a cleaner but also as a deterrent. It's also worth using natural scents that moths dislike, such as lavender or cloves.
