Pesky Pantry Moths

[GalleyWenchTale]

Like most buggers, these pests are not unique to boating. I think I've finally managed to get rid of them, but plan on some additional preventative maintenance.

If you've seen these or simply want to head them off at the pass, read this

[Amapola]

I always nuke or freeze my pantry stores before taking them on board. So far, I haven't had a problem.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by GalleyWenchTale

Like most buggers, these pests are not unique to boating. I think I've finally managed to get rid of them, but plan on some additional preventative maintenance.

If you've seen these or simply want to head them off at the pass, read this

I can handle spiders and snakes, but even one of these tiny pantry moths freaks me out LOL.

I learned the hard way at a tender age that even glass jars don't necessarily keep them out uness they are secured with metal lids with a rubber gasket! It promoted a lifelong habit of sifting all flour before use.

By the way, the pheromone traps entice the males only (and are specific to the exact type of pantry moth), the egg laying females are still on the loose.

[JPA Cate]

...and the eggs may be incorporated with the goods!

The so-called pantry moths may be many varieties. If we get invaded, I throw away contaminated stores, clean, then spray the inside of the lockers with "surface spray" which is designed to discourage cockroaches for 3 months. Usually keeps the lockers ""pure"" for a lot longer. Don't like using strong chemicals like that, but [B]hate[B] the bugs, and the webby larvae remains.

[GalleyWenchTale]

Originally Posted by Amapola

I always nuke or freeze my pantry stores before taking them on board. So far, I haven't had a problem.

Amapola
Ahhh, if only! All our provisioning is where we are, from store, to boat. That's our life since September, where we flew to our boat -- no food transported via airline -- suitcases were tools, electronics & clothes. No microwave and such a tiny freezer no room to spare for anything other than a small quantity of frozen meats for long passages or buying where inexpensive to keep costs down in spendier locales.

[GalleyWenchTale]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

I can handle spiders and snakes, but even one of these tiny pantry moths freaks me out LOL.

I learned the hard way at a tender age that even glass jars don't necessarily keep them out uness they are secured with metal lids with a rubber gasket! It promoted a lifelong habit of sifting all flour before use.

By the way, the pheromone traps entice the males only (and are specific to the exact type of pantry moth), the egg laying females are still on the loose.

Seaworthy Lass.... Mohagany birds freak me out; pantry moths annoy me.

Yes the pheromone traps entice the males only. The traps I'm looking at cover several flavors of moth, but eventually if there's no gents, and no fresh invasions, current interlopers are in hand (webs and eggs removed), there's no fellas to fertilize the gals. The cycle ends.

[GalleyWenchTale]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

...and the eggs may be incorporated with the goods!

The so-called pantry moths may be many varieties. If we get invaded, I throw away contaminated stores, clean, then spray the inside of the lockers with "surface spray" which is designed to discourage cockroaches for 3 months. Usually keeps the lockers ""pure"" for a lot longer. Don't like using strong chemicals like that, but [B]hate[B] the bugs, and the webby larvae remains.

Ann -- trying to see if a good cleaning job (removing eggs and webby stuff) and inspecting and tossing contaminated stores wil do it and keeping the harsher sprays out for now. Cross your fingers for me!

[ausaviator]

Do you have any nuts such as almonds or trail mix by any chance? If so, you might be breeding them. The Indian Meal Moth can come out of a packet of nuts and can appear over a month after buying them! They look like maggots at first and do so for weeks before coming out. If they are something like this then you need to look very hard for the source.

[KDH]

I realize this is an older post but would like to add that lavender oil seems to work inside the cupboards to repel the moths.