Dealing with pests in your Houston home can put a huge damper on your time and energy. Many people don’t know how to effectively get rid of pests on their own and end up spending tons of money to no avail. One of the biggest nuisance pests to deal with in Houston is the pantry moth. Pantry moths can wreak havoc on your food supplies, contaminating them with their bodies and byproducts. There are several ways to prevent pantry moths from getting into your home. In this article, we explore how to identify a pantry moth, how they might be getting into your home, and how Houston pest control can get them out of your home for good.
What Do Pantry Moths Look Like?
Pantry moths are similar in appearance to clothes moths, but there are some distinctions between the two. Pantry moths tend to be a pale gray color, while their outer wings are brownish-red. Pantry moths also have moth wings that span about 5/8 of an inch and are much different from those of huge brown moths. Another telltale sign of a pantry moth is that they have a horizontal black band that separates the upper and lower part of its wings. Some signs of a pantry moth infestation include finding moth webs on the outside corners of food packages and even on the inside of the packaging, sticky secretions that cause grains to stick together, and discovering an unpleasant odor in cereal boxes or bags of flour. Of course, there is also the obvious sign; finding moths or caterpillars in or near your food pantry.
What Could Be Attracting Pantry Moths To My House?
Pantry moths are attracted to very particular food items. These items often include:
- Flour
- Pasta
- Grains
- Bread
- Cereal
- Dried flowers
- Dried fruit
- Processed food such as chips and other snacks
If these food items are not properly stored, pantry moths can easily find their way in and contaminate them. After contamination, you must throw the food out in order to avoid any illness to yourself or your family members.
How Are Pantry Moths Getting In My House?
Like many pests, pantry moths can find their way into your home through the smallest cracks and crevices. They often make their way inside through windows and doors or vents and holes that lead to the interior of your home.
This rather small moth can also enter your home by means of the grocery store. If you often purchase dry bulk goods, such as rice, dried beans, or spices, pantry moths may already be living in the food storage containers at the store.
How Can I Get The Pantry Moths Out Of My Home For Good?
There are several ways to prevent pantry moths from continuing to infest your home. The first thing you want to do is to make sure to properly store all your food items in tight containers. When you have pantry moths, it’s not enough to keep your cereal in cereal boxes, your pasta in opened paper or plastic bags, and your half-eaten chips on display.
If you already have a pantry moth infestation, carefully inspect all your food before you consume it. Pantry moth caterpillars can be extremely tiny and hard to see. In the event that you have many contaminated food items, your best bet is to throw the food out completely. After you’ve discarded contaminated food, you’ll want to hire a professional pest control company to deal with them. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we have loads of experience with pantry moths and other pests. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse; call us today to get the best pest control services in Houston.