How to get rid of moths in the house forever with folk remedies. How to get rid of moths in an apartment: effective ways to combat and prevent Moths in a house how to get rid of folk remedies

The clothes moth has excellent taste: in any season it prefers expensive cashmere, natural silk, pure wool, feathers, furs and cotton. The food moth has simpler requests: it will be satisfied with everything that can be found in the kitchen. If your wardrobe is dear to you, you should take steps to protect it without waiting for the first holes. And if the moth has already begun to feast in your kitchen cabinet, then it's time for decisive action.

How to get rid of a clothes moth

Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / flickr.com

1. Arrange a general cleaning

The moth likes to hide in warm secluded corners, so first of all, take everything out of the wardrobe, vacuum every shelf and drawer, and then wipe all internal surfaces with a rag soaked in any detergent.

It will also not hurt to vacuum carpets and hard-to-reach places where dust usually accumulates: behind furniture, in the corners of dresser drawers, behind radiators. Finally, wash all clothing, as well as curtains, bedspreads, rugs, and furniture covers.

2. Freeze clothes

In winter, you can take your clothes out onto the balcony, while the rest of the time, use the freezer. Moth larvae die at sub-zero temperatures, so put your clothes in bags and stuff anything that fits into the freezer.

3. Take your clothes out into the sun

Bright sun rays act on moth larvae in the same way as frost. For insects to die, it is enough to hold clothes in the sun for a couple of hours.

4. Wash your clothes often

Moth loves dried sweat particles, so don't put anything that needs to be washed first, especially if it's knitted items, in your freshly sanitized closet.

5. Store woolen items in covers

When it gets warm, fold your favorite winter sweaters, dresses, and scarves into covers or zip bags and place in each moth repellent. Life hacker will tell you what is best for scaring away moths below.

6. Quarantine for antiquity

Vintage wardrobe items inherited from a great-grandmother or bought at a flea market must first and only then be hung in the closet. Even if at first glance things do not arouse suspicion, moth larvae can easily live in the seams.

7. Buy cedar hangers

The moth cannot stand the smell of cedar, so hangers made of this tree will reliably protect your clothes from gluttonous pests.

8. Stay alert

Review your clothes from time to time, and regularly ventilate rooms and closets. Do not store things that you do not wear: either throw them away or give them away. Moths most often start on clothes that have not been taken out of the closet for a long time, and almost never on those that are constantly worn.

9. To repel moths, use natural repellents

The most effective natural remedy for moths is lavender. Also, a carnation (not a flower, but a seasoning) does a good job, however, it has a rather strong smell, which will inevitably be absorbed into clothes, and not everyone likes it.

10. Use aerosols to kill moths.

If you are determined to poison the moth with the help of chemicals, the most radical and effective way would be to spray infected items and storage areas with powerful insecticides. In addition to the usual dichlorvos, products are produced based on permethrin, pyrethrins and pyrethroids.

However, do not forget that many of them are very toxic, which means that they are not applicable in all situations and can cause a strong allergic reaction. Before spraying aerosol, carefully read the instructions on the packaging, especially the part on precautions.

How to get rid of food moths

1. Throw away all contaminated foods

Check all cans and bags of cereals, animal feed, dried fruit, seeds, tea, and other bulk products. This also applies to unopened packages. Infected foods may contain moth eggs, similar to sticky semolina, larvae and characteristic cobwebs. If you see any of these, throw away the entire stack.

The moth can live not only inside kitchen cabinets, but also on and behind them. Sometimes it is even found behind the edges of the wallpaper, under the base of the chandelier or behind the ceiling plinth.

Vacuum and rinse cabinets and other moth habitats. When washing, it is recommended to add laundry soap to the water, and then wipe the surfaces with a vinegar solution. Remember to let the cabinets dry before putting your supplies back in.

The containers in which the food was stored should also be thoroughly rinsed and dried, and also kept in the freezer for a day.

3. Process leftover food

The cereals can be sorted out and kept in the freezer for 4–5 days, or they can be calcined in the oven for at least half an hour at a temperature of 60 degrees. Then pour the cereals into containers with tight lids.

4. Use pheromone traps to trap male moths

By themselves, males are harmless, since they do not even have a mouth apparatus. However, they fertilize females that lay eggs.

5. Use bay leaves and lavender

You can spread lavender sprigs, dried cloves, and bay leaves on the shelves to scare away moths. Some housewives put bay leaves directly into containers with cereals, but this method is suitable only for those who have nothing against the faint aroma of this spice in cereals and side dishes.

6. Go out of stock

Try not to buy cereals for future use and for more than a couple of months. And if you have already decided to make supplies, then hold the purchased products for several days in the cold.

7. Remember to ventilate

This applies not only to the kitchen itself, but also to kitchen cabinets. The moth does not like fresh air.

Do you know a proven remedy for moths? Let us know in the comments.

The prices for clothes are rather big nowadays, especially for elite ones made of fur. But, unfortunately, the moth prevents the maintenance of the proper state of things. She is the main enemy of all fur coats, and every person who values their clothes thinks about how to protect their wardrobe from these pests and remove the moth from the apartment.

if you have a mole at home, hurry to get rid of it quickly

There are two types of moths. Representatives of individuals of the first type are called wardrobe moths, such a moth is most common in everyday life, it usually starts up in a closet and spoils things.

The second type of moth is food, it starts up in an apartment not as often as a wardrobe one, but it does no less harm, as it usually spoils food. Before you start fighting an insect, you need to determine what species it represents, because for each there are separate ways of fighting.

In today's article, we will look at the basic methods of dealing with clothes moths.

Ways to get rid of clothes moth

There are many methods for removing moths. So, the main ways to protect your clothes from winged pests.

A natural, natural way to get rid of moths is to expose them to the temperature of the air. These butterflies do not tolerate temperatures below minus five and above forty-five degrees Celsius. In winter, you can leave the windows open for a while, which will destroy the moth and its larvae. There are also special devices that are able to maintain the desired temperature.
The second, and most effective, method for killing moths is using chemicals. Most often they are in the form of an aerosol, but there are devices that operate from the mains, as well as in the form of plates impregnated with special substances.
Also, folk methods will help in confronting moths. There are a huge number of them, since over the years of the existence of moths, people have tried to use many different methods to fight.

Anti-moth aerosols

Aerosol is a great way to get rid of insects. It is also good for preventing the appearance of these pests. The use of an aerosol to remove moths is the most popular among other methods.

This is because aerosols are easy to use and quickly kill moths. Previously, such substances had a pungent, unpleasant odor, now most manufacturers add special flavors to aerosols, which made their smell pleasant.

But no matter how pleasant the aerosol smells, you should strictly follow the instructions that come with it. All modern remedies contain substances that can cause allergies or even mild poisoning in humans.

Below is a list of the most effective aerosols:

"Moskitol"
"Raptor"
"Armol"

the best moth aerosols

Fumigators

Fumigators help well in the fight against pest butterflies. There are pyrotechnic variants of the apparatus (in this case, the fumigator is presented as a spiral, when ignited, smoke is emitted). And there are also electric ones (in such a device there are special plates that, when heated by electricity, emit a special substance)

To achieve the best effect, place the fumigator in a closed cabinet. In the case of a machine powered by electricity, an extension cord can be used. After treatment with an electric fumigator, the plate should be changed.

List of the most effective and harmless fumigators for humans:

"Moskitol"
"Raptor"
"Raid"

the best moth fumigators

Moth repellent sections

Sections are the easiest way to get a mole out of the way. It is enough to hang special plates in places that can be attacked by moths, and insects will fly around this place.

The choice of such sections in the store is quite large. They come in different forms and with different flavors. Here are the most popular ones:

"Moskitol"
"Raptor"
"Raid"

the most effective moth sections in clothing

Traditional methods for removing moths

As already mentioned, there are many popular methods of dealing with moths. Such methods are available to everyone and do not require large financial costs. But no matter how sad it is, folk remedies for moths serve only as additions to professional substances, and it is not worth hoping that such methods will completely remove the moth. Basically, all these remedies simply drive the moth out of its habitat, but do not destroy it.

Here is a list of the most popular folk remedies for moths:

it is necessary to place lavender leaves in places where clothes are stored (cabinets, suitcases). You can use bagged lavender or lavender oil, which are available over the counter at pharmacies.
put a pot of fragrant geraniums next to the places where the moth started up, its smell will scare off pests;
moisten cotton wool with orange essential oil and put pieces of this cotton in the cabinet;
put orange peels, laundry soap, geranium leaves in the wardrobe;
just wrap things in newspaper and hide them in places that are hard to reach for moths.

Conclusion

To the extent there are many methods for killing moths. But best of all, they are not needed. And for this, you need to regularly prevent the appearance of these harmful butterflies. It is enough to keep the apartment clean and ventilate regularly.

Photo by Getty Images / iStockphoto

There are different types of moths: grain, furniture, woolen, carpet (the latter is also called kozheed, since she is not averse to eating leather goods), even rye and cabbage - only about 30 species.

In addition, moths are not only butterflies, but also caterpillars and eggs. It turns out that chasing moths flying around the house is a useless activity, because by killing them, we only incapacitate males, which are harmless to things and products. Meanwhile, the females lay in the closet all new silvery-white testicles, from which voracious caterpillars soon appear. We will get rid of them.

How to get rid of food moths

Photo by Maskot / Maskot

Grain (food) moths attack our food supplies: cereals, flour and dried fruits most often suffer from its larvae. This moth loves warmth, high humidity and lack of ventilation.

Prevention: all groceries should be stored in tightly closed jars or, in extreme cases, tied plastic bags.

How to get rid of: Products heavily affected by moths will have to be thrown away, and those in which there are few insects can be sorted out and dried in the oven, opening its door slightly, at a temperature of 60–70 ° C for 15–20 minutes. You can use the microwave for the same purpose. The cabinet where the food was stored and the moth lived must be washed from the inside with a warm soapy solution, and then with clean water, the grooves and cracks should be smeared with a brush with table vinegar. Keep the cabinet open until dry.

How to get rid of moths in the closet

Photo Stockbyte / Getty Images

Woolen (it is also - felt, fur coat, nightmare) moth breeds all year round. And at the same time he eats wool, felt, feathers, natural velvet, fur, book bindings and much more, gnawing through synthetic fabrics and plastic bags on the way to food. Caterpillars can easily withstand temperatures lower than 0 ° C and can go without food for 30 days. Considering that the moth lives for a long time - about two years - you can imagine how many things it will have time to spoil during this time.

Prevention: the larvae cannot stand bright sunlight and fresh air. That is why moths are not scary to things that are often in use. And winter clothes sent to the closet for the summer need to be taken care of in advance. Caterpillars of moths begin their meal with dirty and sweaty spots, completely eating away the fabric along with the dirt. Therefore, the fight against moths must begin with washing and cleaning clothes before storing them. After cleaning, fur and woolen items are placed in plastic bags, and fur coats are placed in covers made of thick paper with an antimolytic drug. Shake things well before packing: the eggs of the moth are not too firmly attached to the fibers of the fabric or fur, so they will fly off.

Get rid of: the affected things are treated with drugs based on dichlorvos. A more radical means of killing moth caterpillars does not yet exist. In addition, dichlorvos is the only sure remedy against the skin.

Antimal drugs

Photo Jeffrey Coolidge / The Image Bank

Moth-killing products come in the form of plates, sections, sprays and classic tablets.

The cheapest option is pills and briquettes, which are an alloy of naphthalene and camphor. The tablets are traditionally placed at the top of the cabinets. Heavy vapors of naphthalene and camphor descend, preventing moth butterflies from laying eggs on clothing. These old remedies would be good for everyone, but they are by no means safe for human health, especially in high concentration.

Improved inserts from moths are devoid of an unpleasant odor. According to the manufacturers, they destroy moths and larvae, scare off carpet bugs and skin-eating beetles. You can count on the combat readiness of the plates within 6 months.

Moth sections- the most civilized form of anti-malaria drugs. They can be scented with lavender, tangerine and chamomile. Special sections are produced for delicate protection of children's clothes. It is necessary to remove the protective tape and place the section at the top of the cabinet. Antimal action of one section extends to 0.5 cubic meters. m. It will have to be replaced with a new one in 4–6 months. However, the warnings on the packaging that in a room up to 15 sq. m, no more than two sections can be used, and the product should be stored separately from food in places inaccessible to children, they clearly indicate the toxicity of these repellents. Can you replace them with something more natural?

The moth can settle anywhere. Clothes, things, food, furniture, carpets are favorite places where the moth is provided with all the conditions for safe procreation. Verbally, it is easy to advise how to remove the mole.

In fact, this is a time consuming long process that requires patience from the hostess. Let us consider the most popular and effective methods of dealing with lepidoptera in more detail.

In an apartment and a private house, you can find 3. Household pests render food unusable and damage clothing. The damage caused by insects is enormous, if timely measures are not taken to eliminate them.

The following types of butterflies share the same territory with a person:

Wardrobe;
Furniture.

The life cycle and breeding characteristics are not much different, and the methods of dealing with all types of pests are the same. The difference lies in the preparatory stage of pest control.

Wardrobe bow tie

The wardrobe butterfly is a representative of Lepidoptera that live in products made of wool and natural fabrics. You can meet an adult at night, this is one of the features of a clothing moth to fly out of its usual place of settlement in the dark.

Finding eggs with the naked eye is difficult, but finding the larvae is real.

Infected things are subject to immediate processing, today the moth ate mittens, tomorrow -.

Food (kitchen butterfly)

An interesting fact is that an adult does not eat anything, but is actively engaged in procreation. The larvae are gluttonous. During the "conscious" life, the female lays from 300 to 400 eggs.

You should not eat contaminated foods, there is a likely risk of getting poisoning or an upset stomach.

The destruction procedure consists in manually sorting the products. Quite difficult and routine work, especially if there are annual reserves.

Prodigal housewives resort to radical measures, disposing of contaminated cereals and dried fruits, practical ones - they carefully sort out and "save" stocks.

Furniture butterfly

Woolen shoes are a breeding ground. Improper storage of felted shoes and dampness lead to the settlement of moth larvae in felt boots.

Before putting the shoes away for storage, the felt boots should be dried, cleaned (you cannot wash, the wool will shrink) and packaged. A repellent is placed inside the shoe.

Cleaning is carried out after drying. To get rid of dust from shoes, it is enough to brush over the surface.

Preparing for the event

Before killing larvae and adults at home, carry out preparatory steps to simplify pest control.

Removal of food moth begins with revision:

Sprinkle infected cereals, seeds on the table;
Manually separate the larvae from the cereal (the larvae resemble stuck together grains, pearl-yellow lumps);
Pour the sorted product onto a baking sheet and send to the oven;
Warm up the groats at a temperature of 60 * C;
After 2 hours, remove the baking sheet and leave to cool;
Place clean cereals in sealed jars, containers.

Rinse the shelves where food supplies are stored, and spread the repellents.

Activities to get rid of the bow tie also begin with the preparation of the wardrobe. Before removing a mole in an apartment or house:

Take out all things from the closet;
Reconsider the clothes, separate the contaminated ones;
Shake every thing on the street;
Leave for airing and warming up for a day.

They do the same with a furniture butterfly. A sofa or carpet knocks out well in the open air. Leave to warm up. If possible, wash with laundry soap.

Destruction methods

To combat Lepidoptera, they resort to various methods and techniques. Sometimes it is enough to spread the repellents so that the insects leave the apartment forever.

In case of a high degree of infection, they turn to the use of insecticides or call a disinfection station.

Bring out butterflies:

Folk methods;
Chemical insecticides and repellents;
Thermally.

Each is effective in its own way. Consider popular destruction measures.

Withdrawing folk remedies is realistic and no less effective than using insecticides.

The advantages of the methods:

Lack of action of toxic compounds on the human body;
Safety in relation to pets;
Simplicity and affordability;
Economical consumption.

Flaws:

The pungent smell of plant repellents, intolerable to humans;
The likelihood of developing allergic reactions to herbs;
After the smell disappears, the effect of the repellent stops.

Despite the presence of shortcomings, a person takes into account the advantages - safety and economy. With a preference for natural substances, be prepared for the fact that the repellent is regularly updated.

Geranium

A mole has appeared in the house - get a geranium. The fragrant flower not only cleans the air in the room, but also provides reliable protection against crawling and flying insects.

To scare away moths in the dressing room, place the sprig of the plant on the shelf.

Geranium saves from cockroaches, ants, midges and moths. The repelling properties of the plant are associated with a specific smell that pests are afraid of.

Lavender

The most effective plant that saves from flying insects. Most repellents and insecticides are made from lavender extract.

What to do with the plant? As a deterrent, dried flowers and freshly picked ones are equally suitable. The aromatic mixture is laid out in the pockets of clothes, on the shelves of kitchen cabinets.

Use the advice of the hostesses: sew a small calico bag, place the plant there and hang it in the cabinets. Thus, you will protect the apartment from gluttonous pests and facilitate cleaning. A simply put twig will constantly crumble, and in a bag, the mixture will not scatter all over the wardrobe and clothes.

Essential oil

Aromatic oils of plants are effective against pests. Buy an essential product at the pharmacy, oils intended for dousing the sauna stove are less concentrated.

Ways to use concentrate:

Pure: Soak a cotton ball in oil and place on the shelf;
Open the bottle with the fragrant product and place in the cabinet;
Prepare a smelling solution: dilute a few drops of the product in water and spray in the apartment;
Carry out cleaning with the addition of oil concentrate. A few drops of aromatic oil will refresh your home and keep insects away.

The oil is not used from moths in the closet where products made from natural fur are stored.

A fur coat, a fur vest will absorb the smell, not a single perfume can drown out the aroma from the concentrate.

Fragrant herbs

Not sure how to get rid of moths? Pick up herbs from any area and place them in your clothing pockets.

The mole is afraid:

Wormwood;
Tansy;
Melissa;
Chamomile;
Nettle;
Lovage.

The effectiveness will increase if you collect a whole bunch of different plants.

The method is also effective in combating kitchen pests. The herbs are placed in cabinets where all products are securely packed.

Tobacco

Tobacco leaves or gutted cigarette mixture saves from larvae and adults. Usually this method is used when putting things away for summer storage. A little tobacco is put in the pocket of the clothes, thereby protecting the thing from flying insects.

So that the whole wardrobe does not smell of tobacco aroma, place the mixture in a pouch, chintz handkerchief. Tie and hang in the closet.

Orange and lemon peels

The remedy works, but with a regular change of citrus peelings. The smell quickly disappears, the activity of the repeller is lost.

In the fight against a pest, crusts from:

Orange;
Lemon;
Mandarin;
Grapefruit.

The crusts are laid out in wardrobes and outerwear pockets. Can be placed between layers of folded laundry.

Laundry soap

Our grandmothers knew how to get the moth out of the house. The moth flies around the apartment - urgently spread the cubes of laundry soap around the house. In order to enhance the smell, the pieces are moistened in water and placed on plastic lids.

The method works both in the fight against the kitchen, and for scaring away the clothing pest. You can grate the soap on a coarse grater or put a whole bar on the shelf.

Wash the inner surface of the cabinet with soapy water, the smell will persist for a long time, the pest will not have a single chance to stay in the previous place of residence.

Garlic, pepper and spices

Ground black pepper and cloves of garlic are advisable to use in relation to kitchen Lepidoptera.

It is unlikely that you want to wear a fur coat that smelled of garlic scent.

Place the peeled garlic cloves in cabinets and forget about insects.

It is enough to leave the package with pepper open for the butterfly to leave the kitchen set.

For this purpose, use any seasoning. The clove used in canning works for the result. A few sticks in your pocket and dresser will keep your clothes safe until next season.

Exposure to temperature

Thermal action on a mole is an economical and environmentally friendly method.

Freeze and heat are applied. Adults and larvae die at temperatures above 55 * C, and below 10 * C.

The method works in any season. In winter, it is enough to take contaminated food and clothing out into the cold, in summer - in the sun.

Steaming and washing at high temperatures is a way out of the situation when the moth starts up in curtains, bedspreads, clothes. An option is not suitable when the destruction of the pest is required in fur outerwear.

Chemicals

To get rid of flying insects, chemicals are used, sold in specialized or hardware stores.

Depending on the mechanism of action, insecticides are distinguished - aimed at destroying individuals and larvae, and repellents - deterrent agents.

Insecticidal aerosols are distinguished by their speed and high efficiency. The tool is easy to use.

In the fight against the kitchen moth, aerosols are rarely used. If a toxic substance comes into contact with food, there is a high risk of poisoning your household.

Most aerosols are odorless. The agent is applied to textiles and fur products. A single treatment is enough, the effect of the insecticide lasts up to 6 months.

Insect repellents. Sections, cassettes, tablets and plates are used.

Repellents do not kill insects, but force them to leave their former place of residence. If moths start in tightly sealed foods, any pest control will not work.

It is convenient to use sections. The manufacturer uses citrus or lavender extract as a deterrent. Place the section in a closet and forget about Lepidoptera until next season.

Naphthalene is a popular remedy for flying pests. Put it in the pockets of your clothes - protected your clothes from gluttonous moths.

The tool does work, but it is not safe for humans. Carcinogenic properties on the body have been proven by scientists.

Tired of fighting the pest on your own - entrust the job to professional exterminators who encounter insects every day on duty.

Professional service call

The disinfection stations will help drive the moths out of the apartment. They resort to calling pest controllers when the scale of infection is so great that it is impossible to cope with the problem on your own.

Skilled workers will quickly clear the site of insects, larvae and eggs. Faced daily with various pests, exterminators know the places of egg laying and the habitat of adults.

In the destruction, concentrated oil solutions and potent toxic substances are used. Application is carried out using a fog generator.

Special equipment with high performance allows you to spray a poisonous substance into every gap in the room. Do not forget to carry out preparatory measures and hide food before calling the emergency service.

Pest control

Protecting property and food from insects can only be done with preventive measures.

Always pour the products brought from the store into jars and immediately look for larvae;
Items put away for storage are subject to regular revision. Inspect fur coats, unwrap wool sweaters, shake off bedspreads and curtains;
Dry your clothes outdoors during the summer season;
Before placing clothes in the wardrobe, dust the shelves and spread out repellents.

Preventive measures taken regularly will help prevent the breeding of flying individuals in the apartment.

Try not to buy stocks of food for future use. A week's supply is enough.

Otherwise, in case of infection, it will take a long time and dreary to sort out bulk products.

Take the time to pick up fragrant herbs in the summer and put them in your clothes pockets. Whoever fights and prevents pests from settling will definitely get a result in a short time.

Ecology of life. Life hack: Moths in the kitchen are not only flying moths, but also their pupae, larvae and eggs. This means that in order to remove pests forever, you need to deal with them in a comprehensive manner - find and eliminate the outbreak, clean the furniture / ceiling, throw out everything that has been infected and process potentially infected products.

Moths in the kitchen are not only flying moths, but also their pupae, larvae and eggs.

This means that in order to remove pests forever, you need to deal with them in a comprehensive manner - find and eliminate the outbreak, clean the furniture / ceiling, throw out everything that has been infected and process potentially infected products.

Food moths are of different types. Most often, in the kitchen in a city apartment, you can find: a flour moth, a little less often - a cocoa moth (very similar to a clothes moth) and a southern barn moth (fighting it is more difficult than with others). Where do they come from even in the cleanest kitchen cabinets?

Tiny, almost invisible eggs end up in the kitchen in packages of cereals, cereals, gallets, dried fruits, flour, spices and other groceries. Then, within a week, larvae of food moths hatch from them, which subsequently pupate and turn into moths.

In this material, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of food moths, what preventive measures to take to avoid its reappearance, and how to save food if it is a pity to throw it away.

Step 1. Looking for the outbreak and contaminated food

Moth eggs look like small white sticky grains that look like semolina. The larvae first look like small whitish worms, and then they grow up to 1.27 cm and have black or brown heads. Another clear sign of food contamination is cobwebs, as in the photo below.

Moth-infested oatmeal

To get rid of food moths, the first thing you need to do is:

1. Inspection of kitchen cabinets and products. Examine all the supplies that are stored in kitchen cabinets - you need to find not only the source, but also the products already infected with larvae and eggs.

Do not forget to check unpacked groceries, because moth easily eats cardboard, foil and polyethylene.

Pay special attention to the edges of the jar lids - there may be a moth cobweb on them.

Remember that not only groceries can be infected, but also animal food, seeds for birds, bait for fishing, that is, almost everything that is not stored in the refrigerator.

2. Inspection of the ceiling. Ceiling, skirting boards, wallpaper edges and chandelier base. The moth loves to hide in dark crevices and corners.

3. Inspection of the tops of the cabinets. You can also see moth cocoons here.

By the way, if you are in doubt whether there is a moth in your kitchen at all, or, say, whether you managed to remove it after cleaning, then inspect the room at night - adults will gather around a burning chandelier.

Step 2. We carry out a total cleanup

1. Eliminate source and products with obvious signs of contamination. As soon as you find which product has become the source of the spread of insects, wrap it tightly in a plastic bag and discard it immediately, or better burn it altogether.

2. Clean thoroughly. Empty the kitchen cabinets and remove the shelves, then vacuum them and the inside of the cabinet, paying particular attention to the corners and crevices.

A vacuum cleaner (without a nozzle or with a small nozzle) will tighten the hidden moth and prevent subtle eggs from remaining in the closet. This method is very effective, so if you do not have a vacuum cleaner, you should ask your friends for it. The main thing after the procedure is to throw out the bag or freeze it in the freezer for 3-4 days.

3. Wash all containers and jars. This can be done with vinegar solution or laundry soap. Containers containing contaminated food should be frozen for 3-4 days or heated in the microwave for 5 minutes.

4. Vacuum the ceiling. If you find moth settlements on the ceiling, skirting boards, cabinet tops, near the chandelier, or under the edges of loose wallpaper, then vacuum those areas too.

Step 3. We kill adults and put up traps

How to catch adults that have already scattered around the corners of cabinets and kitchens? Males (by the way, harmless, but fertilizing females) can be caught using a glue trap (photo below). The principle of its action is simple - the trap treated with pheromone of females attracts males and "catches" them, and without males, the moth, of course, cannot reproduce. Thus, pheromone traps will help prevent insects from reappearing.

Glue trap

Females will have to be killed by traditional methods - a fly swatter or a rolled newspaper, since they fly badly and slowly, it is not so difficult to do this.

Step 4. Handling potentially contaminated foods

So, you threw away the source product and products with clear signs of contamination, but what to do with the rest of the supplies that outwardly seem clean or were slightly contaminated?

It is easiest to throw them away as well, but if you want to, you can save potentially contaminated food in the following two ways:

After sifting and sorting out cereals, flour or other product, keep it in the freezer or on the balcony (in winter) for at least 3-4 days.

After pouring the product onto a baking sheet, heat it up in the oven at 60 degrees for at least 40 minutes. Before heating it, of course, you need to clean it.

Keep in mind that the first processing method, although longer, retains all the vitamins and nutritional properties of the food.

Step 5. We carry out prevention and protect products

1. New or cold / warm processed foods (including pet food) should be placed in glass, thick plastic or metal containers / jars with tight-fitting lids. This will protect supplies from moth penetration and prevent them from escaping outside the container. Recall that cardboard, paper, foil and cellophane bags are easily eaten by it.

How to store groceries properly

2. In the fight against moths in the kitchen, a folk recipe is also useful - storing products with natural repellents:

With a couple of bay leaves;

With peeled but not cut garlic (a couple of heads are enough);

With orange peels.

Bay leaf to protect flour from moths

3. You can also place one of the following on the shelves, either: lavender sprigs, birch leaves, geraniums, wormwood, rosemary, laundry soap, or strong-smelling essential oils. For example, fir oil can be used to moisten a cotton pad and leave it in the closet.

Remember that these folk remedies will scare off adult moths, preventing them from laying eggs in food and on shelves, but they will not work on the larvae. Moreover, if you suddenly put a package of contaminated cereals on the shelf with lavender, then the larvae of the moths in it will not die, and the butterflies that appear later will no longer be afraid of the lavender smell. That is why it is necessary to deal with domestic pests in a comprehensive manner.

And a little more about prevention

The following tips will help you avoid moth reoccurrence:

Try not to store food for more than 2-4 months and, of course, do not store supplies that are past their expiration date.

Store foods that you rarely use in the refrigerator.

Buy dry foods in small quantities so you can eat them within a couple of months.

Buy groceries only from well-known manufacturers and check the quality of the goods in the store whenever possible. To be sure, freeze freshly purchased cereals, cereals, flour, nuts, dried fruits and other products for 3-4 days (dry).

Store pet food, such as bird seeds or fishing bait, outside the kitchen.

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