Fighting food moths: how to get rid of them

Nobody likes the larvae and moths of kitchen moths in their food. We reveal how to recognize food moths, prevent them and fight them successfully.

The terms "food moth", "kitchen moth" or "food moth" encompass several pests. In a narrower sense, the food moths belong to the Dried fruit moth (Plodia interpunctella), the Flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) and the Storage moth (Ephestia elutella). At this point we can tell you that it is not absolutely necessary to differentiate between the moth species for prevention and control. An infestation by food moths can come about, for example, from contaminated food, which unfortunately occasionally comes into circulation through the trade. Another possibility is the influx of adult kitchen moths through open windows, which then infest the stored food. In either case, it is not absolutely necessary that you see the adult moths as well. Because the actual damage to the food is caused by the larvae of the food moth.

Recognizing food moths: This is what larvae and butterflies look like

The different food moths do not all look the same, but they can still be compared to the well-known ones Clothes moths differentiate. Our special article provides you with the necessary knowledge Differentiation between food and clothing moths. Unlike the diurnal butterflies, they always keep their wings folded on their bodies when they are seated. The different kitchen moths can reach a size of 0.4 to 1.4 cm.

Moth traps like ours are suitable for early detection and identification Plantura food moth traps outstanding. These enable timely control before the infestation becomes too severe. The pheromone tablets used for this purpose contain an odor that is irresistible for male moths. The attractant specifically only attracts food moths and thus also helps to distinguish it from other moth species. In nature, pheromones are secreted by females so that the males can find them. Lured by the pheromones in the trap, male food moths stick to the glue-coated tablets.
At this point we would like to point out that an infestation can only be discovered and monitored with the pheromone traps. The moth traps are not suitable for effective control, as a few males always remain and each other mate - due to the high number of eggs laid per female moth, a strong infestation can still occur in this way develop.

As already mentioned, it is the larvae of the food moths that do the real damage. Adult moths lay their eggs nearby or directly in suitable stores, and the hatching larvae feed on the food around them as they develop. They then pupate in as dark and dry a place as possible. The new, adult moths can then either lay their eggs in the same supply or travel long distances to new food sources. Depending on the type of food moth, between 50 and 400 eggs can be laid. A single female can lead to major problems in the pantry.

Tip: The different food moths can include natural, ground and processed grain products, nuts, legumes, cocoa and chocolate, tea and Spices, dried fruit and fresh fruit, dry and fresh vegetables, in the field hay and straw and in special cases even tobacco infested, digest and contaminate.

Incidentally, an infestation with food moths can be recognized very well by the webs. For example, if some grains hang on the packaging as if by magic or if lumps form in the flour or grain, this is a sure sign that there are webs. But the larvae themselves can also be seen clearly in the food. Only immediately after hatching are they still so small that in principle they are not visible to the human eye. The caterpillars develop quickly and are then easily recognizable when they are up to 1.7 cm in length. But you will not find beautiful caterpillars, as one is used to from butterflies. The inconspicuous larvae of the food moths are much more like unspectacular maggots. Incidentally, the optimal development temperature of the larvae is 30 ° C, which is why the pests mainly appear in the warm summer months.

Summary - recognize food moths:

• Adults: 0.4 to 1.4 cm large moths with brown spotted wings
• Larvae: maggot-like caterpillars up to 1.7 cm
• Webbing: Recognizable by clumped food
• Like to attack grain, flour, nuts or tea and a number of other foods
• Mainly occur in the warm summer months
• Moth traps like ours Plantura food moth traps help with the simple, early and reliable detection of infestation

How do food moths come about?

Food moths can occur in every household and are not necessarily a sign of poor hygiene. But if food is stored unprotected, moths and larvae can quickly find access and make the food inedible.

The most common cause of infestation is food that remains in its original packaging. Plastic films or paper and cardboard packaging are no obstacle. There the larvae simply eat a small entrance to get to the food. It can of course also happen that the kitchen moths are already stuck in the groceries when shopping - fortunately, this only happens very rarely.

Tip: It is not the larvae that make infected food inedible, because it is completely non-toxic per se - it is rather the larval droppings and the webs of the larvae that contaminate your supplies. In addition, other pests can settle through the droppings and webs, for example fungi and mites. Since there can be poisonous molds among the mushrooms, the infected food belongs straight to the garbage can.

Prevent food moths

In order to prevent an infestation with food moths, food should not be stored in the sales packaging, but in airtight glass, ceramic or thick plastic containers. This is the only way to keep the voracious larvae away from your food. Even a simple thread lock does not offer one hundred percent protection, as the small larvae can also overcome this. Regularly removing crumbs from cupboards and work surfaces as well as attaching mosquito screens to the windows also helps.

With our Plantura food moth traps an infestation cannot be prevented, but it can be recognized at a very early stage. So you can quickly take control measures and save the majority of your food.

Summary - prevent kitchen moths:

• Transfer food that will be stored for a long time into airtight glass, ceramic or thick plastic containers beforehand
• Attach pheromone moth traps to detect an infestation at an early stage

Fighting food moths: how to get rid of them

If an infestation has been discovered, all food should first be checked for larvae and webs. You should generally dispose of affected food. But because the animals can continue to develop in household waste, they should be killed beforehand. This is best done in the freezer. There, the food must be frozen for three days and only then can the food be disposed of with household waste. In order to sustainably fight food moths in your kitchen, further steps are necessary, which we would like to introduce to you below.

Parasitic wasps against food moths

The eggs of the moths pose a major problem. Since these are not visible to us due to their tiny size, it makes sense to get help in removing them. Ichneumon wasps of the genus Trichogramma have proven to be valuable beneficial insects because they are highly specialized and specifically look for the small moth eggs in order to lay their own eggs in them. The parasitic wasp larvae use the moth eggs as a habitat and source of food at the same time, causing them to die. The ichneumon wasps themselves are so small that they can hardly be seen and after their short lifespan practically turn to dust. Of course, contaminated food should be disposed of first of all, even with this method.

Also ours Plantura parasitic wasps against food moths belong to the genus Trichogramma, more precisely to the species Trichogramma evanescens. They enable chemical-free and biological control of food moths. The small beneficial insects are delivered to you in the form of 2,000 eggs on cards that you can lay out in the affected areas. The number of cards required depends on the size of the affected area. In the event of a moth infestation in a normal-sized kitchen, we recommend four cards.

In order to achieve successful and lasting control of the moths, it is important to keep the parasitic wasps regularly and for a long time until all eggs have been destroyed - we recommend four for one final elimination of food moths Repetitions. So that you always have fresh parasitic wasps at home at the right time, we deliver your cards to your home every two weeks. The parasitic wasps are of course completely harmless to you and your pets, because they cannot sting and only care about their eggs. After successful control, the last generation simply dies because it can no longer reproduce without new moth eggs. To check the control success, we also recommend pheromone moth traps like ours Plantura food moth traps. They help you to see whether your kitchen is and will remain really moth-free.

Summary - How are parasitic wasps used against kitchen moths?

1. Determine the infestation: z. B. by finding larvae and webbing or adult animals on moth traps
2. Plantura Parasitic wasps against food moths order (one card per square meter or closed cabinet compartment)
3. Check food supplies and freeze infected food first and then dispose of it
4. Lay out Plantura ichneumon wasp cards
5. Repeat: You will automatically receive a new delivery every 2 weeks
6. Cheering: After 4 repetitions, the small pests are destroyed
7. Wipe cabinets with a damp cloth to remove any last marks

Home remedies for food moths

If you want to try your luck with home remedies, you can use vinegar as an all-purpose weapon. The pantry or pantry should be cleaned thoroughly with a vinegar-water mixture, which will kill the kitchen moth's eggs. However, it is difficult to really get all of the eggs in this process, and there is a risk that the pests will spread again after a while. Ichneumon wasps guarantee more effective elimination.

In addition, the moths develop much faster in warm temperatures, while development can be greatly delayed in cold temperatures. Depending on the species, the development can therefore also be stopped completely at low single-digit temperatures. Because especially the dried fruit moth and the flour moth are more adapted to warmer regions such as the Mediterranean. Here, too, it is important to dispose of all contaminated food beforehand. Because even if the pests have been killed, the webs and the remains of the larvae can spoil the food.

Other remedies against food moths

Of course, insect sprays or other chemical pesticides against food moths could also help, but we advise against them. Because you would have to use the agents in the immediate vicinity of your food and would also come into direct contact with the often harmful ingredients during use. Biological control with parasitic wasps, on the other hand, offers a safe and sustainable alternative.

Parasitic wasps can be used not only against food moths, but also against clothes moths. You can find out how to differentiate between the two pests in our article on the Difference between clothes and food moths.