Pestpatrol’s straightforward guide to expelling moths for good

If you’ve opened your bag of flour and seen a moth flitting about like it should be there, you’re not alone. Pantry moths are a common problem in London homes and businesses.

From family kitchens in Hackney to cafes in Camden, these pests turn dry goods into a nightmare – and they don’t ask for permission.

At Pestpatrol, we have helped many Londoners clear out infestations from their cupboards.
This isn’t your regular fluff-and-facts guide.
This is the truth – how pantry moths get in, how to spot the problem, and what will actually get rid of them.

What Are Pantry Moths?

Pantry moths – also known as food moths or kitchen moths – are the kind of pest you think are small but turn out to be a big, messy problem very quickly.

The species responsible for most infestations is the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella).
It will come as no surprise to learn that despite the name, they are not exotic or rare to the UK.
And, probably already in your food if you’re having a problem.

Adults are only about 8 to 10mm long, with wings that are grey towards the body, and rusty brown towards the tips.

But, it’s not the moths that need to be worried about – it’s the larvae.
They hatch and grow into tiny caterpillar like grubs that chew their way through cereals, pasta, flour, nuts and even pet food.

They spin webbing as they feed and leave your dry goods clumping together and crawling.

How Do Pantry Moths Get In?

It’s not your cooking.
It’s not your cleaning.
It’s typically the foods you bring home from the store.

Pantry moths mostly enter their new home inside the boxes or bags they came in – think about bulk or bin items such as flour, rice, and grains.
It only takes a few eggs.

Once they’ve hatched, the larvae begin feeding (and spreading).
Thin plastic, paper, cardboard, it really doesn’t matter.

The infestations sometimes start in one packet and silently move through the rest of your shelves.
All it requires is time and a warm cupboard.

Signs You Have Pantry Moths

You probably will not see them at the beginning – and that’s half the problem.
By the time a moth flies past your face, it has usually become a full-fledged problem.

Here is what to look for:

• Webbing in food packaging
• Small white worms crawling through rice or flour
• Cocoons in the corners, hinges, or edges of shelves
• Moths flying out when you open the cupboard
• Clumped or discoloured dry goods, hist in some way “off”

If you see any of these signs, don’t blow them off:
if left unchecked, it won’t heal itself: it’ll continue to spread.

What Makes them More Than Just a Nuisance

It’s not just the ick factor:

pantry moths contaminate food with poop, skins, and silk.

Even if you can’t see the larvae, contaminated food is unsafe to eat.

They can also attract more pests, especially in warm and humid conditions, such as beetles and mites.

When it is cafes and bakeries in London who are dealing with food safety issues, this can lead to serious health code violations.
For homes this often means discarding hundreds of pounds worth of food.

How to get rid of pantry moths properly

Let’s get one thing straight.
There is no sense in wasting your time with scented candles, or waving a dish towel around.

If you want to get rid of pantry moths, here is what works, straight from the Pestpatrol team:

• Empty every cupboard

Take everything out.
Yes, that means everything, even unopened products.

The larvae can move in sealed packets.

If something is infested?
Toss it immediately, double-bagged.

• Deep clean – not just a wash down

Wash the cupboard surfaces with hot soapy water, and then a second wash with white vinegar.

Make sure to wash the corners, screw holes, and shelf edges carefully – these are popular hiding spots.

• Hoover the cracks

Use your vacuums crevice tool to pick up eggs/cocoons hidden wherever you can.

Do not forget skirting boards and drawer runners.
Dispose of the vacuum bag, or empty the vacuum container immediately.

• Store food properly

Moving forward, everything dry goes into airtight containers, whether they are glass jars, thick plastic tubs, or metal tins.

Moths can chew through paper and soft plastic, so supermarket packaging is not your friend.

• Set Pheromone traps

Pheromone traps specifically lure male moths and disrupt breeding.

Pheromone traps will not eradicate an infestation on their own, but they will help monitor activity and slow the process down.

• Wait to Restock

Give cupboards a couple of days.
Once again, if you see no signs of moths or larvae, feel free to put food back, but only in sealed containers.

Still Seeing Them?

If you have done everything above and you still see moths, it is time to reach out to Pestpatrol.

Pestpatrol have dealt with stubborn infestations across London with proven treatments that do not mask the problem, but actually treat it.

If you want to learn more about what we can offer please visit our moth control page or book a visit.

What Can I Do to Stop Pantry Moths Returning?

Once you have removed the infestation, you can keep it that way by tightening up your storage habits and being a little more fussy on your shopping trips.

• Check food packaging before you buy, particularly grains and seeds
• Freeze flour or grains for 48-72 hours to kill any hidden eggs
• Rotate your cupboard stock so nothing sits in there for months untouched
• Regularly clean your containers and shelves
• Do not store food in warm, humid places, moths love the heat!

For cafés, restaurants or food businesses in London, it could be worth booking regular pest checks. Prevention is always cheaper than dealing with an outbreak.

Are pantry moths dangerous?

They do not bite, sting or cause disease, but they do spoil food and impact hygiene.

You can donate your couscous to a friend or just toss it in the bin – don’t try to pick out the larvae.
And if you have had them before, it is hard to forget.

One encounter with pantry moths and most people will store everything like it’s the end of the world as we know it.

What about Natural Remedies?

You may have heard about using bay leaves, lavender sachets or essential oils to keep them away.

They probably will have some deterrent effect – but they will not treat an active infestation.
They are acts of goodwill for when you have clear cupboards, not the saviours we required.

Final Word from Pestpatrol

Pantry moths are small, but the mayhem they cause is not small.
If you are family with cupboards in Clapham or a baker with flour in Bermondsey, one tiny moth can quickly to major problem without any intervention.

If the problem persists or you are not too sure where to start Pestpatrol is here to help.

Our discreet and reliable service helps homes and businesses across London and provide fast, effective solutions for moths infestation.

Need help fast?

Contact Pestpatrol today for professional advice and a professional moth removal in London.

Let’s reclaim your cupboards, one packet at a time.