Why am I suddenly seeing moths in my house?

Pantry goods attract moth species that lay their eggs in stored grains and processed products. These pests often come into homes inside infested food packages. Once inside, their eggs hatch into larvae that eat grains, dried nuts, cereals, and a variety of processed products.

What does it mean if moths are in your house?

What causes moths in the house? “Clothes moths can enter homes by hiding out in clothing, furniture or home goods purchased from thrift stores, garage sales or consignment shops; and pantry moths can enter via eggs laid in foods like flour, cereal, beans and dried fruit,” added Tucker.

What attracts moths in the house?

Moth larvae prefer fibers of animal origin, including wool, mohair, cashmere, fur, and feathers. They are particularly attracted to dark, warm, humid spaces, and dirty clothing (especially unwashed items that may have lingering body oils or food residue).

Which are common pests of stored products?

Insect Pests of Stored Products

• Flour and grain beetles.
• Anobiid beetles.
• Dermestid beetles.
• Weevils.
• Spider beetles.
• Mealworms.
• Flour moths.
• Grain moths.

How do you control stored product pests?

Other control methods including physical control using inert dust such as diatomaceous earth [31,32], ionizing irradiation [33], light and sound [34], thermal regulation and ozonation [35] and semiochemical control or chemical derived from plants to control insect pests by behavioural manipulation (i.e insecticides.

How do I get rid of stored products pests?

Effective control using approved pesticides

1. Dusting – certain dusts can be used with pesticide properties.
2. Precision Spraying – Targeted spot crack and crevice treatments can be useful to arrest localized stored product pest occurrence in a structural environment.

What is the best product to get rid of moths?

The best moth repellent solution overall is the Household Essentials CEDAR FRESH Cedar Closet Variety Pack. It comes with an assortment of solid cedar wood pieces and sachets, which you can place throughout your home to keep pests away.

Where do stored product pests live?

Adults stored product pests usually live outside. Stored product pest larvae live on whatever food source they find themselves. Flour, cereals, cornmeal, dried pasta, crackers, chocolate, dried milk, dried fruits, dried spices, dry pet food, and cake mixes are all places you may find stored product pest larvae.

Where do house moths come from and what do they eat?

From inside the house, they hide behind skirting boards, carpets and in crevices of the home. They are known to attack cereals, maize, oats, barley, wheat, rice, seeds, pet food, and potatoes. Unfortunately, the house moth is not a pleasant pest, it can cause horrific damage to your home, clothes, and kitchen – especially the pantry.

What can I do to keep moths out of my house?

Moths are attracted to food and humid areas. So you want to keep your house clean and then seal up all food materials in airtight plastic or glass containers. Mothballs and essential oils also do well in repelling months. So you can place them in strategic areas of your house.

What kind of moths are in the pantry?

An adult Indian meal moth is usually half an inch long with gray and bronze wings. The pantry variety can include species like the Indian meal moth but most go after grains and dry goods: cereals, crackers, rice, and other stored foods, according to Orkin entomologist Chelle Hartzer.

What kind of damage does a house moth do?

Unfortunately, the house moth is not a pleasant pest, it can cause horrific damage to your home, clothes, and kitchen – especially the pantry. And because you may be unable to identify a moth just by looking, attributed by their microscopic size, the next best thing is to look into your damaged areas.