06/07/2025
What to do about Pantry moths in Central/Southeast Texas???
I’m going to get real about something embarrassing. But it shouldn’t be. It’s not our fault.
A few months ago, I found strange, cobweb-type webbing in the Bob’s Red Mill Almond Protein Powder I was sneaking into the white chocolate macadamia cookies I started making for my father-in-law when Tate’s stopped making them. (Haha, that first sentence would have gotten me a “C” in my writing class at U of H. But, meh, I graduated. I still write convoluted sentences. lol)
Anyhoo, I started Googling and realized: Eww. Gross. We’ve got pantry moths. Pantry moths are small, grayish-brown winged insects that live in the pantry. They eat grains like flour, cereal, and pasta, as well as dried fruit, nuts, spices, tea, and candy. In other words, everything we store in our pantry and cupboards. I discovered that they often get into the house through a bag of flour or other grain that contains the moth eggs or larvae. Bulk bins are also common breeding grounds, including pet food.
I stock up on food when it’s on sale, including beans, rice, pasta, Wolf Brand chili (no beans, of course - duh???), and spam… you get it – anything I can cook on the gas stove when we have a hurricane or a Texas Wintergeddon grid failure, the fridge and freezer have already been emptied, and we’re on Week 2. And I’ve mentioned before that I’m on the cusp of Boomer/X, so I am Boomer frugal. While I fight the tendency to hoard, I find it particularly irritating to have to throw food away. It’s even more irritating when it’s something expensive, like anything Bob’s Red Meal brand.
So it’s important to root out a pantry moth problem ASAP – and be vigilant going forward, or those bugs can come back.
It’s a pain. But there’s no choice, so just suck it up and get after it.
Here’s how:
Do an inspection: Take EVERYTHING out of your pantry and cupboards. Look at each item for moths (alive or dead), larvae (tiny worms), eggs (which look like clumps of grain), or webbing that the worms spin. Keep in mind that because the larvae can chew through plastic bags and cardboard, even some unopened packages may be infected. Toss any infected food and put the trash outside right away. A handvac is useful, but I am careful to take it - without turning it off - outside to the bird feeder to empty it. I will say that people more frugal than I recommend you put the infested item in the freezer to kill the little buggers, sift it, and use it just fine. Again, Eww.
Deep clean: Wipe down your empty shelves and pantry walls with a combination of white vinegar, Dawn, and water. Be sure to get into the corners and crevices where they might be hiding with your rag. Then keep the area clean by wiping it down regularly.
Transfer grains: The best way to store things is in glass containers with lids (moths can get underneath loose-fitting plastic lids). Some say there is no need to spend a fortune on this process: they repurpose empty, glass jars and canning jars. Others say metal lids don’t keep them out. So I wonder if that includes Bell jars. Thoughts? Please reply with what works for you.
Freeze: Some people say you should seal EVERYTHING you bring home in a Ziploc plastic bag and store it in the freezer for a week to kill any moth eggs. A whole week? THIS IS INSANE. I’m not sure I can do this. While I've got a good-sized freezer, I use every bit of it. I’m not judging, but I don’t have a SECOND garage freezer - specifically because the electricity cost of a freezer in a garage in Texas in the summer is crazy expensive. And the tiny bit of greenie in me says, Really? Wasteful, maybe? And others say Ziploc bags are insufficient because the little varmints can chew through it. ARRRGH. Facepalm.
Trap: Non-toxic pheromone traps emit pheromones that attract the male moths and kill them, preventing them from breeding. Bay leaves can also ward off moths, so keep one in the corner of your shelf or inside containers, switching it out every few months. (I found a suggestion to tuck bay leaves into containers of grains. I’m going to try it, but won’t that affect the flavor?)
Inspect again: seemingly safe cans are homes to larvae. It's disgusting. The attached photo shows a Costco pack of Spam, shrink-wrapped, with a larvae inside. So you have to actually separate your canned goods from Costgo if you have an infestation. Argh...
Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth: Apply a thin layer of DE around the edges of each pantry shelf and in any corners. DE is a natural insecticide that dehydrates and kills insects by cutting through their exoskeletons. You can find this at Tractor Supply and Walmart.
What works for you that I haven't mentioned here?
