Pantry pest control in Charlotte isn’t always easy, but it’s still an important part of caring for your home and preventing unnecessary food waste.
A lot of what we’ll be talking about here today applies to just about every variety of pantry pest, but we want to pay special attention to pantry moths, a type of pantry pest that can reproduce rapidly and ruin foods in no time.
More specifically, this article will cover the life cycle and behavioral norms of the pantry moth, the role of pantry moth larvae in pest problems, how to moth-proof your pantry, and why professional pantry pest control is so valuable. Let’s get started.
Pantry Moth Life Cycle: Understanding Their Behavior
The pantry moth life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Pantry moth larvae can be a big problem on their own, as we’ll talk about shortly. But you’re much more likely to notice the adult moths since they’re the ones that fly around when you disturb their hiding place.
Common pantry pests, like pantry moths, have predictable behavioral patterns. Once they’re in your home, they will make a beeline for where you keep your food. In particular, pantry moths really like different kinds of dry goods like spices, cereals, grains, flour, sweets, and even dry pet foods.
Please keep in mind that this is only one type of moth. Other species of moths will show no interest in your foods and instead go for your closets. In general, if you find moths in your cupboards or pantry, they are indeed pantry moths.
Pantry Moth Larvae: The Silent Destroyers Of Your Food
Pantry pest larvae, specifically pantry moth larvae, can ruin your food. And worst of all, they can ruin your food without you even noticing.
Remember when we mentioned that you’re much more likely to notice adult pantry moths? Pantry moth larvae are quiet and sneaky. They don’t have their wings yet, so they focus on crawling around in your food and eating as much as they can.
If you know of a pantry pest problem in your home, carefully check stored foods for signs of larvae. Because of their pale color, it’s easy for larvae to blend in with rice and certain grains. If you do find larvae, dispose of the affected food immediately. To be safe, you can also dispose of other foods stored in the same area to avoid unexpected surprises in your meals and snacks.
Of course, prevention and control should be your next point of focus so you can avoid similar situations in the future.
Moth-Proofing Your Pantry: Practical Steps To Take
If you’re asking yourself, ‘What can I use to prevent pantry pests?’ there are a few different answers to keep in mind. These are some key tips for moth-proofing your pantry and your home:
Repair or replace damaged window screens.
Check for gaps around windows and doors. Never leave doors open for an extended period.
Regularly clean out your cupboards and pantry.
Throw out foods immediately after they reach their expiration date.
If you buy in bulk, use aftermarket airtight containers to store them. Avoid using plastic baggies.
When bringing goods home from the store, check for damage to the packaging and other signs of pests.
If you’re struggling to remove existing pests, consider professional pest control.
Calling In The Experts: Professional Pantry Moth Elimination
On the topic of how to get rid of pantry pest moths for good, professional pantry moth elimination is the best choice.
You can request an inspection or immediately move to pantry pest removal. Pest control professionals can also be an excellent resource when it comes to getting personalized recommendations for how you can keep these moths out for the long term.
Looking for pantry pest control services for your home? Get in touch with us at ProForce Pest Control right away.