There are many pests that can taint food. Roaches and ants are two examples. They can harbor and spread illness-causing bacteria while they crawl about in your kitchen. Kittery residents may need to spend a lot of time and energy keeping them out to protect themselves and their loved ones. But one kind of insects that are sometimes forgotten is pantry moths.
With these bugs, their targets are your cupboards, cabinets, and of course, pantries. They can be found wherever there are dried foods. By reading about these moths, you’ll know how to prevent them and how to get assistance from Big Blue Bug Solutions.
What Do Pantry Moths Look Like? Where Do They Come From?
Adult pantry moths in Kittery are around ⅜ of an inch long. Their multi-colored wings are ⅝ of an inch. The wings are mostly gray, with a brown or bronze tint at the bottom. The variation in shade is what separates them physically from other moths. Larvae have brown heads, with cream, pink, or yellow-green bodies. This is important to know because larvae are what do damage to food products.
The adult moths lay eggs in stored food; they can get in during the distribution and packaging process. Humidity helps speed up their reproduction. Once the larvae hatch, they begin feeding. Items they prefer include:
- Dry goods
- Grains
- Fruit
- Flour
- Rice
- Spices
- Pet food
While pantry moths don’t spread diseases and parasites, they do contaminate food with their feces and webbing. This alters the taste of food they inhabit, which should be thrown away immediately. These insects also foster the growth of mold. Simply seeing pantry moths or their larvae is a chief sign of infestation. Adults will fly in a zig-zag pattern to other areas of the property, leading to them being mistaken for fabric pests. They’re attracted to dim light.
How Can You Prevent Pantry Moths?
It seems like preventing pantry moths would be a nearly impossible task. You can’t avoid food, because you need nourishment to survive. There’s no way to control or monitor what happens on factory production lines across the country. You can’t inspect every item, or conduct pest control screenings. It’s not a hopeless situation though.
In order to reduce the effect and presence of pantry moths, you'll have to diligently clean and pay very close attention to your kitchen. In addition, you’ll have to tend to your property’s structure. It may sound like a lot of work, but it will be worth it. Take the following steps:
- Routinely examine food packages before bringing them home.
- Regularly empty cabinets and pantries for a thorough cleaning.
- Seal cracks around appliances, foundations, walls, and ceilings.
- Store food in an airtight plastic or glass containers; this goes for pet food too.
What Can Big Blue Bug Solutions Do About Pantry Moths?
Pantry moth infestations can occur easily and continually if suitable control measures aren’t in place. Moreover, their takeovers can last a long time without professional care. Relieve yourself of stress and fear by calling Big Blue Bug Solutions.
We’ve been in business for over 80 years. There isn’t a pantry moth scenario we haven’t seen or a related problem we can’t solve. We have the latest technology and equipment. The insects don’t stand a chance against us. Our licensed staff goes to educational industry seminars often, so they’ll know current techniques. More importantly, they’ll apply treatments in a safe manner.
Take advantage of our cost-effective and comprehensive plans! Get started today with a free inspection!